Relational trauma is often related to complex PTSD. It’s a phrase used to describe growing up with inconsistent caregivers, where children learn that they need to protect themselves from people that they are dependent on.

 

Often, these childhood experiences teach us that people can’t be trusted, that the world isn’t safe and that other people might hurt us when we need them the most. Relational trauma can also occur through an abusive romantic relationship, a betrayal by a partner or friend, or any number of ways where pain in an intimate relationship might make us afraid to get close to another person.

 

Often, the best way to heal relational trauma is through a corrective relationship. This can be one of the best reasons to come to therapy. We can work together to create a healing, therapeutic relationship and explore the ways in which your past experiences are inhibiting you from feeling the love in your life that you very much deserve.