Supporting Trauma Survivors To Build Resilience With New Methods

For a long time, psychologists thought that children from abusive homes were sentenced to a life full of problems. But now we know that even under the direst circumstances a surprising number of neglected and abused children become capable, happy adults who are able to hold down a steady job and build strong family relations. I believe that we belittle survivors by predicting them to fail, when in fact we are wired for survival.

Child psychologist Ann Masten who has studied resilient children for nearly four decades calls our ability to adapt “ordinary magic.” “Our human capacity is pretty astounding. We have been naturally and culturally selected to adapt under widely varying circumstances.”

As Lily Dayton reports, early trauma triggers massive brain changes. But advances in neuroscience are also offering new ways to unravel the trauma bond through trauma-informed care.

I believe this piece is best read alongside David Bornstein`s great interview with Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, the founder of the Center for Youth Wellness, who is advocating for raising awareness about the health effects of childhood trauma.

Trafficking survivor Oree Freeman, featured in the article below, still has triggers that stem from her trauma. But she also has coping skills—and a strong support system. As a survivor advocate, she mentors other sex-trafficking survivors and shares a message of hope:

"These kids are not hopeless," she says. "They may be broken, but they're not hopeless. They're amazing. You've just got to help them find the resilience within."