Are you on a journey of self-discovery and healing? Do you seek clarity, balance, and purpose in your life? Have you noticed a pattern in your family of behaviours, life experiences and cycles? Well, as Mark Wolynn so eloquently put it, "It didn't start with you."
Let's briefly speak about the impact of Epigenetics and Generational Trauma, and the benefits of a blend of Intercultural Therapy, Attachment therapy, the Psychodynamic approach and Trauma therapy, with me, Novena-Chanel, The Equilibrium Coach™.
Yep, that's me in the video... looking like I'm about to yell at an innocent Sales Associate that I asked for extra cheese....not that I would! Welcome to my blog hahaha
Generational trauma, explored through the lens of epigenetics, has become a crucial topic in understanding inherited patterns of behaviour, emotional responses, and mental health challenges. Research shows that trauma experienced by one generation—such as war, displacement, or systemic oppression—can influence the genetic expression of subsequent generations (Yehuda et al., 2014). This biological inheritance can perpetuate cycles of anxiety, depression, and relational difficulties.
Intercultural Therapy offers an inclusive framework to address these complexities, considering how cultural identities and systemic factors intersect with personal histories. Studies highlight the importance of cultural competence in therapy, emphasizing that clients feel more understood and supported when their cultural narratives are honoured (Sue et al., 2009). By integrating cultural awareness with the Psychodynamic Approach, therapists can uncover how early relational patterns, shaped by family and cultural dynamics, continue to influence present behaviour. For example, unresolved intergenerational conflict may manifest as difficulty forming secure attachments.
Attachment Theory further enriches this integrative model by focusing on how early caregiver relationships shape one’s ability to form secure bonds in adulthood. Insecure attachment styles—whether anxious, avoidant, or disorganized—can amplify the effects of generational trauma. For instance, a client with an avoidant attachment style, stemming from emotionally distant parenting, may struggle with vulnerability in relationships.
Trauma Therapy complements these approaches by providing actionable tools to process and heal deep-seated wounds. Techniques such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and somatic practices have demonstrated efficacy in reducing trauma symptoms and promoting emotional regulation (Shapiro, 2017).
A therapist blending these approaches might work with a client who feels disconnected from their cultural heritage and struggles with intimacy in relationships. Intercultural Therapy would help the client explore and reclaim their cultural narrative, while the Psychodynamic Approach and Attachment Theory uncover the roots of these relational challenges. Trauma Therapy, including EMDR, could then help the client process specific distressing memories, reducing their emotional charge and fostering healthier emotional connections.
This integrated model allows clients to break generational cycles, reclaim their narrative, and build a purposeful future.
Embarking on therapy can be daunting at the best of times, but add the weight of uncovering generational trauma and the epigenetic effects, and it can be both empowering and mindset shifting. That is where an integrative Counsellor like myself steps in. I am trained and experienced within the Intercultural, Psychodynamic, Trauma and Attachment approaches, with understanding of epigenetics and generational trauma, so our work together supports a research-based, yet holistic, empathic, personalized, and grounded approach to counselling. You and your experience is valued and worked to be understood, understanding that one approach to therapy may not suit all.
Want to learn more about Integrative Therapy with me? Let's book in a 15 minute free Consultation and see if I am the best Counsellor for you. Click the link and lets connect - https://www.theequilibriumcoach.com/booking-calendar/free-initial-consultation?referral=service_list_widget
Comments