Dr. Troy Fenlason

Stories of abuse and neglect are often found lying at the roots of our emotional or mental health struggles. When harm or the threat of harm is laced with traumatic events, we may try to forget or even block our troubling memories from direct consciousness, but our bodies remember and wreak havoc with our minds until we can tend to the emotional wounds and the turmoil that was created. There are various therapeutic approaches for healing from abuse or trauma. I take a decidedly relational approach. In my opinion, the value in any of the more common and established therapeutic strategies is in their ability to provide helpful structure to a process that is outlined by Judith Herman in “Trauma and Recovery.” Here, the key elements of healing are defined in simple terms as remembering and mourning, reconnecting, and finding commonality in the context of safe and healing relationships. I proceed cautiously and tenderly, often inviting us to slow down, so that we can be more fully aware of all the parts of the story and ourselves that are disconnected from the healing process. Healing from abuse and trauma is a rewarding journey that continually asks, “What more do you want to offer to the process so that you may more fully heal?”