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Have you ever had a reaction that felt way bigger than the situation? In this episode, I break down what childhood trauma triggers in adulthood really are—and why I prefer calling them "activated parts." We explore the complex truth that most people miss: when parts get activated, it's usually about both the past and something real happening in the present.

What you'll learn:

• What triggers actually are and how they connect to implicit memories in your body
• Why "activated parts" is more empowering than "triggered"
• How your parts carry old pain and respond to present-day truth simultaneously
• What activation looks like in daily life (emotions, trauma responses, body sensations)
• The critical difference between activated parts, retraumatization, and normal emotions

Who this is for:
This episode is for adults healing from childhood trauma or childhood abuse who are ready to hold complexity, trust themselves, and take responsibility for their healing journey. This is educational and growth-oriented content for people ready to engage actively with their healing.

Mentioned Episodes/ additional resources

• Adults with Childhood Trauma: How to heal and reclaim your life: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/adults-with-childhood-trauma/
• Five Trauma Counseling Techniques That Really Help: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/five-effective-trauma-counselling-techniques/
• The Benefits of Parts Work for Healing Trauma: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/parts-work-therapy-benefits-healing-trauma/
• Grounding Practices:
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/understanding-the-window-of-tolerance/

If you’d like to explore more, here are some ways to connect:

• Discover more about my work: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/
• Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brighthorizontherapies/
• Send me a message: nat@brighthorizontherapies.com

Trauma Demystified is not intended to replace professional guidance, support, medical treatment, or therapy. Please feel free to consult your physician or a mental health professional for any questions about mental health symptoms.

Bright Horizon Therapies is located in the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda. This land is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. I acknowledge the traditional caregivers of the land and the importance of a commitment to the continued decolonization of my work.

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What if healing from relational trauma doesn't guarantee the love, safety, or peace you've been working toward? In this episode, I share the truths about trauma recovery that no one wants to talk about—the messy, complicated realities that don't fit into simple healing narratives.

What you'll learn

• Why healing relational trauma is about what's within your control—not changing how others treat you
• The hard truth that trauma recovery doesn't guarantee love, perfect relationships, or protection from future wounds
• How to recognize when loving someone means letting them go—and choosing self-respect over loyalty
• Why self-trust must come before trusting others, especially when your body sends warning signals
• How to navigate disagreements with your therapist and remember you're the authority in your own life
• What to do when parts of you learned to abandon yourself to keep the peace
• Why healing builds resilience but doesn't promise a pain-free life—and why it's still worth it

Who is it for
This episode is for adults healing from relational trauma or childhood abuse who are tired of oversimplified healing narratives and ready for honest conversations about the complexity of recovery. It's for anyone navigating toxic relationships, questioning whether to stay or leave, learning to trust themselves again, or facing the reality that healing doesn't guarantee happy endings—but it does offer something more profound and more real.

Note: This episode includes a brief mention of suicide. If you are in crisis or need support and live in Canada, here are some resources:

• Crisis Services Canada: https://988.ca/ | Call or text 9-8-8
• First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ | 1-855-242-3310
• Trans Lifeline Canada: 877-330-6366
• If you live outside of Canada, please check the resources in the country you live in.

Want to learn more about healing trauma? Here are some ideas:

• Adults with childhood trauma: How to heal and reclaim your life: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/adults-with-childhood-trauma/
• What is the difference between trauma and complex trauma: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-trauma-and-complex-trauma/

If you’d like to explore more, here are some ways to connect:

• Discover more about my work: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/
• Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brighthorizontherapies/
• Send me a message: nat@brighthorizontherapies.com

Trauma Demystified is not intended to replace professional guidance, support, medical treatment, or therapy. Please feel free to consult your physician or a mental health professional for any questions about mental health symptoms.

Bright Horizon Therapies is located in the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda. This land is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. I acknowledge the traditional caregivers of the land and the importance of a commitment to the continued decolonization of my work.

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What does safety actually mean after childhood trauma? If you've experienced abuse or neglect, feeling safe—especially in relationships—can be deeply unfamiliar. In this episode, I break down the different dimensions of safety and share practical strategies for creating it in your body, relationships, and daily life.

What You'll Learn

• The five dimensions of safety: physical, emotional, psychological, social, and self-safety—and why they all matter
• How to assess whether you're truly safe in the present moment or responding to past trauma
• Why self-safety is at the core of healing—learning to trust yourself, set boundaries, and protect your well-being
• How Polyvagal theory explains safety as a nervous system state and how to recognize your body's signals
• Practical exercises to reconnect with your nervous system and move from shutdown or fight/flight back to safety and connection
• How to use boundaries, affirmations, and parts work to increase your sense of safety
• Why anger and other emotions are messengers that tell you when boundaries have been crossed
• How social dynamics like oppression affect your experience of safety—and strategies for navigating them

Who This Is For
This episode is for adults who experienced childhood abuse, neglect or childhood trauma and struggle to feel safe in their bodies, relationships, or the world. It's also for anyone navigating complex trauma who wants practical tools to build self-safety, strengthen boundaries, and learn to trust themselves again.

Mentioned episodes and articles:

• Five Effective Trauma Counselling Strategies:
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/five-effective-trauma-counselling-techniques/
• Polyvagal Theory for Trauma:
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/polyvagal-theory-for-trauma/
• Understanding the Window of Tolerance: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/understanding-the-window-of-tolerance/
• Get your free copy of Toxic Relationships 101:
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/toxic-relationships-guide/
• Assess your boundaries with the Healthy Boundaries Quiz:
  https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/healthy-boundaries-quiz/

If you’d like to explore more, here are some ways to connect:

• Discover more about my work: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/
• Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brighthorizontherapies/
• Send me a message: nat@brighthorizontherapies.com

Trauma Demystified is not intended to replace professional guidance, support, medical treatment, or therapy. Please feel free to consult your physician or a mental health professional for any questions about mental health symptoms.

Bright Horizon Therapies is located in the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda. This land is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. I acknowledge the traditional caregivers of the land and the importance of a commitment to the continued decolonization of my work.