Childhood trauma and appropriate therapy: Healing through emotional expression

It is widely believed that individuals who experience trauma during early childhood are at a higher risk of mental health problems as a result. The belief is that the earlier the trauma occurs in our lives, the more long-term and harmful its consequences can be. These critical years (between birth and the age of five) are often referred to as the „formative years.“ This is because most of the skills and abilities necessary for our survival develop during this crucial period.

In other words, childhood traumas are emotional and psychological wounds that we experience in the early years of our lives. They can leave lasting marks on our emotional and mental well-being. Traumas can be caused by various events such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, the loss of a loved one, parental divorce, poverty, and other adverse life circumstances. These experiences can leave an imprint on our neurological and emotional system, leading to issues such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and interpersonal difficulties.

Treating childhood trauma: basic principles and approach

Treating childhood trauma and our inner child involves a form of psychotherapy that focuses on connecting with our deepest emotions and feelings. This method was developed by Dr. Arthur Janov in the 1960s. Its goal is for the client to resolve psychological problems by expressing emotions and feelings in a safe and supportive environment. The method is based on the idea that unresolved emotional pain from childhood forms the basis of many of our emotional and interpersonal problems.

An important aspect of treating the inner child is the concept of „primal pain.“ According to Janov, primal pain arises from needs and feelings that were not adequately addressed in our early life. Examples of such pain can include near-death experiences or the feeling of not being loved as a child.

Psychological painful experiences can be traced back to events in our lives that were too traumatic to be fully accepted or integrated into our conscious experience. Therefore, according to Janov, the pain remains unprocessed and unfelt at the moment—since our body lacks the resources to cope with it. Thus, it is suppressed and stored, and we lose access to our feelings and become neurotic. The suppressed pain splits our personality into two parts. One side represents our true self, filled with suppressed needs and pain, while the other side represents the false self, which tries to cope with the external world and satisfy unmet needs through neurotic habits or behaviors (obsessions or addictions). The division of personality is the essence of neurosis, which can lead to serious consequences, including physical and mental health problems.

According to Janov, these „primal pains“ are stored in the deep layers of our subconscious and can only be released once they are expressed. When pain is not adequately processed or healed, it can continue to influence our emotional and psychological well-being. Unresolved pain may manifest in various forms, including emotional instability, anxiety, depression, anger, other behavioral problems, and physical symptoms (ulcers, headaches, asthma, etc.).

The goal of treating childhood trauma is the complete processing and overcoming of the feelings associated with this pain. According to Janov, to heal and resolve psychological problems, these repressed emotions must be released. Therefore, clients are encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings freely in a safe and supportive environment, which may include talking, crying, yelling, or making sounds.

Techniques of therapy for childhood trauma

Although there are no official „techniques,“ certain stages are likely to be followed when undergoing this type of therapy. They may include:

• Regression: In this stage, we re-experience traumatic events from the past. We relive the feelings and sensations associated with these events and have the opportunity to express all the memories and sensations that arise during this process.

• Release: Here, we are encouraged to express all the emotions and feelings that come to mind. As mentioned earlier, this expression may include talking, yelling, crying, or making sounds. At this stage, we may feel discomfort or even fear. We are likely to experience the release of suppressed emotions that have been stored in our bodies throughout our lives.

• Integration: At this stage, we begin to connect different parts of our history—we create connections between various life events and how they have affected us. We may also start to forgive ourselves and others for past events.

• Resolution: Here, we usually feel a sense of completion regarding the issues we have addressed in primal therapy. We find that we can now live more freely and without the burden of unresolved emotional pain.

It is important to note that treating childhood trauma requires a professional approach and guidance from a qualified psychotherapist. Seeking a licensed and experienced specialist is crucial to ensure the proper management of this intense process of emotional healing.