If you've experienced trauma, you might feel like your entire worldview has been turned upside down. The safety and predictability you once took for granted may feel like a distant memory. Perhaps you're wondering if you'll ever feel secure again, or if it's even possible to trust the world after what you've been through. As a therapist based in North Berwick, I want you to know that while rebuilding shattered assumptions takes time, it is absolutely possible.
Understanding the Rebuilding Process
Healing shattered assumptions isn't about going back to who you were before the trauma. Instead, it's about integrating what happened into a new, more realistic worldview that still allows you to feel safe and hopeful. This process involves acknowledging the painful reality of what occurred while finding ways to restore your sense of safety, meaning, and self-worth.
Working with Your New Reality
After trauma, it's not helpful to simply tell yourself the world is safe, when your experience has shown you otherwise. Instead, healing involves developing more nuanced beliefs. You might move from ‘the world is completely safe’ to ‘while bad things can happen, I have resources and support to cope with difficulties.’ This acknowledges reality whilst rebuilding your sense of capability and resilience.
The Role of Therapy
Therapy provides a safe space to explore and updating your beliefs. Through approaches like EMDR and trauma-focused therapy, we can help you process the traumatic experience whilst gradually rebuilding your core assumptions. This might involve recognising that whilst you can't control everything, you have agency in many areas of your life. It means acknowledging that whilst bad things happen, good things exist too.
Small Steps Forward
Rebuilding happens gradually. You might start by identifying small areas where you do feel safe or in control. Perhaps it's a particular relationship, a place, or an activity. These become building blocks for re-establishing a sense of safety in the world. Over time, these areas can expand, allowing you to feel more grounded and secure.
Finding Meaning Again
Part of healing involves finding meaning in your experience, not because trauma is somehow meant to be, but because creating meaning can be part of reclaiming your life. This might involve connecting with others who've had similar experiences, using what you've learned to help others, or simply developing a deeper appreciation for what matters most to you.
If you're ready to begin rebuilding after trauma, I'm here to support you through this journey. Together, we can work towards creating a worldview that feels both honest and hopeful.