“...healing intergenerational trauma is a challenging but possible journey.” - Dr. Claude Shema

Intergenerational trauma, also known as generational, historical, or multigenerational trauma, refers to the transmission of the effects of trauma from one generation to the next. This means that individuals can experience emotional, psychological, and even biological impacts of traumatic events that happened to their ancestors, even if they didn't directly experience the trauma themselves (Yehuda & Lehrner, 2018).

Intergenerational Trauma Transmission

Like many other brain and related psychopathologies, the mechanisms of intergenerational trauma are complex and still being studied, but a combination of factors often referred to as “multifactorial” or clusters of factors are believed to be at play such as environmental and biological or epigenetic factors.

• Common Environmental Factors

  • Parenting Styles: Trauma can influence a parent's ability to regulate their emotions, form secure attachments, and provide consistent care, which can affect a child's development and worldview (Hardy, 2017).

  • Learned Behaviors and Coping Mechanisms: Children may observe and adopt fear-based coping strategies, communication patterns, or emotional suppression techniques used by their traumatized parents or caregivers (Danieli, 1998).

  • Family Dynamics: Dysfunctional family dynamics, such as difficulty discussing emotions, unhealthy coping, or trust issues, can perpetuate the cycle of trauma (Brave Heart & DeBruyn, 1998).

  • Cultural and Social Transmission: For groups who have experienced collective trauma (e.g., war, genocide, slavery, systemic oppression), the effects can be passed down through family stories, community norms, and ongoing societal inequalities (like racism or poverty) (Gone & Trimble, 2012).

• Biological/Epigenetic Factors

  • Some research suggests that trauma can cause epigenetic changes, which are alterations in gene expression (how genes are "read" and used) without changing the underlying DNA sequence. These changes may affect stress response systems in the body and could potentially be passed down to descendants, making them more susceptible to anxiety, depression, or other stress-related issues (Yehuda et al., 2016). More research is needed to fully understand this mechanism in humans.

Manifestations of Intergenerational Trauma

Trauma symptoms may appear in different forms or fashion. For example, people affected by intergenerational trauma may experience symptoms similar to those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but often without direct experience of the trauma itself. These can include:

• Anxiety and guilt

• Depression

• Low self-esteem

• Hypervigilance (a heightened state of alertness)

• Difficulty with emotional regulation

• Relationship troubles and attachment issues

• Substance abuse

• Shame and feelings of helplessness

• Minimization of current struggles

• Disconnection from one's history, culture, or origins

• Over-identification with the trauma experienced by previous generations (Atkinson, 2013; Sotero, 2006).

The above-mentioned intergenerational trauma related manifestations can also affect other areas of human function, such as relationships, cognitive processes, academic performance, disruptive behaviors, negative coping strategies such as substance abuse, increased health issues, and more.

Effective Treatment Options for Intergenerational Trauma

Healing intergenerational trauma often requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both individual and systemic factors. While more research is always needed, several therapeutic approaches and strategies have shown promise:

1. Trauma-Informed Therapy: This is a broad approach that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and incorporates this understanding into all aspects of treatment. It focuses on safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural responsiveness (SAMHSA, 2014).

2. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: EMDR is a highly effective therapy for trauma. It helps individuals process traumatic memories and associated emotions by using guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation (Shapiro, 2018). EMDR can help reprocess the impact of intergenerational trauma, including unconscious patterns and unresolved grief, leading to healthier coping mechanisms. Group EMDR protocols can also be used for collective trauma (e.g., De Jongh et al., 2014).

3. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): TF-CBT combines psychoeducation with CBT techniques. It helps individuals develop coping skills, relaxation techniques, process trauma narratives, and manage behaviors influenced by past trauma (Cohen et al., 2017).

4. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT focuses on teaching skills in four main areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills can be particularly helpful for individuals struggling with emotional dysregulation and relationship difficulties stemming from intergenerational trauma (Linehan, 2014).

5. Family Therapy: Given the systemic nature of intergenerational trauma, family therapy can be invaluable. It provides a safe space for family members to understand each other's experiences and emotions, process the collective family story of trauma, improve communication, and build healthier family dynamics (Hardy, 2017).

6. Intergenerational Trauma Treatment Model (ITTM): This model specifically targets and treats both the child's complex trauma and the caregiver's unresolved childhood trauma history, recognizing that the child-adult relationship is often threatened when a family is impacted by trauma. It aims to improve attachment, emotional attunement, and regulation for both child and caregiver (Brown & Harris, 2018).

7. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET): NET helps individuals who have experienced multiple traumatic events (complex trauma) to create a coherent narrative of their life, integrating traumatic experiences into their life story. This can help reframe the traumatic event and reduce its negative impact (Schauer et al., 2011).

8. Cultural and Community-Based Healing: Especially for groups affected by historical trauma, reconnecting with cultural traditions, practices, and community can be profoundly healing. This might involve storytelling, art, music, dance, spiritual practices, ceremonies, and participation in community-led healing circles or support groups (Gone & Trimble, 2012; Brave Heart, 2003).

How Neurofeedback Addresses Trauma-Related Dysregulation:

Neurofeedback works by identifying and then training the brain to shift out of these dysregulated patterns. Here are key mechanisms:

1. Direct Brain Regulation: Neurofeedback directly targets brainwave imbalances. For example, if trauma has led to excessive fast brainwaves (hyperarousal) or slow brainwaves (hypoarousal), neurofeedback can help the brain produce more balanced patterns. This can lead to improved emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, and better sleep (Hammond, 2011).

2. Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to change and reorganize itself (neuroplasticity) is central to neurofeedback. By providing real-time feedback (visual or auditory cues) based on brainwave activity, the brain learns to recognize and reinforce healthier neural connections (van der Kolk, 2014).

3. Stabilizing the Nervous System: Trauma, especially chronic or developmental trauma, often results in a dysregulated autonomic nervous system. Neurofeedback, particularly protocols like Infraslow Fluctuation (ISF) neurofeedback, aims to bring the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) systems into balance, promoting a state of calm alertness (Othmer & Othmer, 2017).

4. Addressing Deeper Brain Structures: While talk therapy primarily engages the cortex (the outer layer of the brain), trauma often impacts deeper brain structures like the limbic system and brainstem, which are involved in survival and emotional processing. Neurofeedback can directly influence these areas, making it a valuable complement to traditional therapies (Fisher, 2014).

5. Non-Verbal Processing: For individuals with complex trauma, verbalizing traumatic experiences can be re-traumatizing. Neurofeedback offers a non-invasive, non-verbal approach to healing, allowing the brain to reorganize itself without requiring explicit recollection or discussion of painful memories (van der Kolk, 2014). Alpha-Theta training, for instance, can promote a relaxed state where traumatic memories can be processed at a subconscious level (Peniston & Kulkosky, 1991).

Coping Strategies and Self-Care:

In addition to professional therapy, individuals can benefit from various self-care and coping mechanisms:

• Acknowledging and Accepting the Trauma: Recognizing the influence of ancestral trauma without judgment is a crucial first step.

• Setting Boundaries: Protecting oneself from further harm and dysfunctional patterns.

• Practicing Self-Care: Prioritizing physical and emotional well-being through adequate sleep, nutrition, hydration, and stress-reducing activities (e.g., exercise, mindfulness, time in nature).

• Mindfulness and Meditation: Staying grounded and present to reduce the impact of past trauma on current life.

• Journaling: Writing down thoughts and feelings to process emotions.

• Connecting with Supportive People: Building a strong social support network.

• Creative Expression: Engaging in activities like art, music, or writing to process emotions and release "stuck" trauma.

• Allowing for Grief and Processing Emotions: Giving oneself permission to feel and express the emotions associated with the trauma.

Unhealed intergenerational trauma can lead to an infinite trauma cycle. However, healing intergenerational trauma is a challenging but possible journey. It requires acknowledging the past, seeking appropriate support, and engaging in intentional work to break cycles and foster resilience for current and future generations. Where possible, collective healing can be more effective in some cases. But any step in healing and willingness to heal is the right starting point. 

At Sano State Psychology, we are always happy to help. Get in touch with us HERE or by calling 587-333-6349. 💙

References and Further Readings 

Atkinson, J. (2013). Trauma-informed services and trauma-specific care for Indigenous peoples. Healing Foundation.

Brave Heart, M. Y. H. (2003). The historical trauma response among Natives and its relationship to substance abuse: A Lakota illustration. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 35(1), 7-13.

Brave Heart, M. Y. H., & DeBruyn, L. M. (1998). The American Indian Holocaust: Healing historical unresolved grief. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research: The Journal of the National Centre, 8(2), 60-82.

Brown, E. J., & Harris, J. L. (2018). The Intergenerational Trauma Treatment Model: A guide for working with children and caregivers. W. W. Norton & Company.

Cohen, J. A., Mannarino, A. P., & Deblinger, E. (2017). Treating trauma and traumatic grief in children and adolescents. Guilford Press.

Danieli, Y. (1998). Introduction: The multidisciplinary leaching of the effects of traumatic stress on survivors and their children. In Y. Danieli (Ed.), International handbook of multigenerational legacies of trauma (pp. 1-27). Plenum Press.

De Jongh, A., Resick, P. A., Zoellner, L. A., van Minnen, A., & Lee, C. W. (2014). EMDR therapy: An evidence-based treatment for PTSD and other trauma-related disorders. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 8(4), 143-149.

Fisher, S. (2014). Neurofeedback in the treatment of developmental trauma: Calming the fear-driven brain. W. W. Norton & Company.

Gone, J. P., & Trimble, J. E. (2012). American Indian and Alaska Native mental health: Diverse perspectives on enduring disparities. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 8, 403-432.

Hammond, D. C. (2011). Neurofeedback with anxiety and affective disorders. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 20(1), 167–178.

Hardy, K. V. (2017). The cultural context of intergenerational trauma: An ecological approach. In Y. Danieli (Ed.), International handbook of multigenerational legacies of trauma (pp. 57-69). Springer.

Linehan, M. M. (2014). DBT skills training manual. Guilford Press.

Othmer, S., & Othmer, S. F. (2017). The clinical course of a long-term clinical program for treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Biofeedback, 45(1), 11–24.

Peniston, E. G., & Kulkosky, P. J. (1991). Alpha-theta brainwave training and beta-endorphin levels in alcoholics. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 15(4), 683–689.

SAMHSA. (2014). Trauma-informed care in behavioral health services. (SMA-14-4884). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Schauer, M., Neuner, F., & Elbert, T. (2011). Narrative exposure therapy: A short-term treatment for traumatic stress disorders (2nd ed.). Hogrefe & Huber Publishers.

Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.

Sotero, M. M. (2006). A conceptual model of historical trauma: Implications for public health practice and research. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 17(2), 241-252.

van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.

van der Kolk, B. A., Stone, E., West, J., Rhodes, J., & Hamlin, E. (2016). A controlled pilot study of neurofeedback for developmental trauma. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 36(3), 221–227.

Yehuda, R., Daskalakis, N. P., Bierer, L. M., Bader, H. N., Klengel, T., Holsboer, F., & Binder, E. B. (2016). Transgenerational epigenetic transmission of PTSD risk. Neuropsychopharmacology, 41(9), 2207-2215.

Yehuda, R., & Lehrner, A. (2018). Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects: Putative mechanisms and empirical findings. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 14, 1-23.

Written by Dr. Claude R. Shema

Illustrations by Allana Shewfelt