What Is Generation Trauma and Why Does It Matter?
- Rose Hammon, LCSW
- May 6
- 2 min read
Updated: May 7
🌿 What Is Generational Trauma — and Why It Matters
You may have heard the term “generational trauma” more often in recent years. As therapy and mental health conversations become more accessible, so does our understanding of how trauma doesn’t just impact one person — it can ripple through entire family systems for generations.
But what is generational trauma, really? And why should we pay attention to it?
🧬 Trauma That Doesn’t Die With the Person Who Experienced It
Generational trauma (also called intergenerational trauma) happens when a person goes through a deeply painful or traumatic experience — like abuse, neglect, war, poverty, or systemic oppression — and isn’t given the resources or space to fully heal. That unprocessed pain can then shape how they parent, how they communicate, how they connect with others, and even how they see the world.
Over time, these survival strategies, fears, and coping mechanisms can get passed on — not just through behavior, but sometimes even biologically, through stress responses and nervous system patterns.
Trauma that isn't healed tends to repeat. But it doesn’t have to.
🌱 The Role of the Cycle Breaker
Every family has patterns. Some are beautiful — like resilience, loyalty, and strong work ethic. Others may be painful — like silence, shame, codependency, or emotional neglect. When you begin to notice these inherited patterns and actively choose to respond differently, you step into the role of the cycle breaker.
Being a cycle breaker means doing the work that previous generations may not have had the privilege, safety, or support to do. You may be the first in your family to go to therapy, talk about your feelings, say no to toxic dynamics, or allow yourself to rest without guilt. That takes immense courage.
Healing generational trauma isn’t about blaming your family — it’s about reclaiming your power and changing the narrative for yourself and the generations that come after you.
💛 Why It Matters
When we don’t look at what we’ve inherited emotionally, we often carry it without even realizing it. Unhealed trauma can show up as anxiety, people-pleasing, emotional numbness, chronic stress, difficulty setting boundaries, or feeling responsible for everyone else’s well-being.
Understanding generational trauma gives us language for what we’ve lived through — and a path toward healing.
You don’t have to fix everything in one generation. But even small changes — awareness, compassion, healthy boundaries — can shift your family line in meaningful ways.
You are not broken. You are becoming aware. And awareness is the first step to healing.
If you're ready to start doing things differently, I’d love to walk alongside you.
Rose Hammon, LCSW
New Heights Therapy
Las Vegas, NV
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