There are various kinds of generational trauma that can get passed down. The generational trauma I work with, and the types I focus on, are the traumas of immigration and experiences of racism.

Chances are, you’re a sensitive-hearted person whose sensitivity was either mocked or misunderstood. As a child, you were often called an “old soul” or “mature for your age”, but you wonder why no one questioned why you were so mature at such a young age. In your family, feelings weren’t discussed when you were a kid, and they certainly aren’t discussed now that you’re an adult. You don’t feel like you can be fully yourself around your family. It’s even hard to feel like you can show your full self around your friends or your partner. And you definitely don’t feel like you can be fully yourself at work.

You’ve had a sinking feeling for a long time that something happened somewhere in your lineage - whether it was your parents, your grandparents, or beyond - that has become a repetitive pattern. Maybe you’re typically a flexible or adaptable person, but you notice you feel sudden fear when you have to go somewhere that, for most other people, would be an “everyday” place to go. Maybe you’re typically a patient person who notices that you suddenly turn impatient and irritated when faced with doing certain tasks.

You’re tired of feeling caught in this cycle:

• Mentally exhausted from monitoring yourself at work and with family

• Wanting to share more about yourself with your family but feeling unsure how

• Wondering why you react to certain situations or conversations the way that you do