What is Intergenerational Trauma?
Intergenerational trauma refers to the psychological and emotional effects of trauma that are passed down from one generation to the next. This can happen through family interactions, societal norms, or inherited belief systems. The trauma may stem from events like war, genocide, forced displacement, abuse, or systemic oppression. Even when the original trauma is not directly experienced, its impact may be felt through patterns of behavior, coping mechanisms, or emotional distress in descendants.
How Intergenerational Trauma Affects Your Life
People affected by intergenerational trauma often experience chronic anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or difficulties in relationships without clearly understanding why. Emotional triggers may seem disconnected from personal experience, yet deeply influence one’s reactions and worldview. These inherited wounds can shape parenting styles, family communication, conflict resolution, and cultural identity. Without addressing this trauma, the cycle may continue across generations, affecting personal growth, mental health, and family cohesion.
What Causes Intergenerational Trauma?
Intergenerational trauma is caused by the transmission of unresolved trauma responses through families, cultures, or communities. This can occur through parenting behaviors, storytelling, silence, or attitudes passed down from those who directly experienced trauma. Epigenetic research suggests that trauma can also influence biological markers passed to future generations. Events like colonization, slavery, residential schools, war, and displacement are common root causes. A lack of acknowledgment, healing, or justice can further entrench the trauma.
Why Professional Help Makes a Difference
Professional therapy offers a safe space to explore inherited pain, identify patterns, and build new, healthier narratives. A trauma-informed therapist can help individuals or families understand how historical and familial experiences shape their current challenges, empowering them to break cycles of hurt. Therapy provides tools to process unresolved emotions, strengthen resilience, and foster meaningful connection across generations.
Therapeutic Approaches That Help
Effective approaches to healing intergenerational trauma include trauma therapy, narrative therapy, family therapy, and culturally sensitive therapy. Therapists may also use mindfulness, somatic practices, or EMDR to address trauma responses stored in the body. Therapy often focuses on helping clients name inherited patterns, develop self-compassion, and reclaim a sense of agency. In some cases, involving multiple family members can support collective healing.
Who is Affected by Intergenerational Trauma?
Anyone can be affected by intergenerational trauma, but it is most common in communities that have faced collective or historical traumas, including Indigenous peoples, descendants of enslaved individuals, refugees, Holocaust survivors, and victims of systemic racism or oppression. Within families, even those who did not directly witness traumatic events may exhibit behaviors and symptoms shaped by the emotional legacies of those who did.
What Recovery Can Look Like
Recovery involves recognizing the influence of intergenerational trauma, building awareness of emotional responses, and learning new ways to relate to oneself and others. It can include understanding family history, expressing emotions that were previously suppressed, and redefining personal identity apart from inherited pain. Healing does not mean forgetting the past, but integrating it in a way that fosters resilience, growth, and emotional freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is intergenerational trauma real? Yes, both research and clinical evidence support its existence across families and communities.
- Can therapy really help if I wasn’t directly traumatized? Absolutely. Therapy helps you understand and heal the impact of trauma passed through generations.
- Does this only affect people with big traumas like war? No. Even subtler family traumas can be inherited and have lasting effects.
Case Example
Maria, a second-generation immigrant, experienced chronic anxiety, difficulty trusting others, and a fear of expressing needs. In therapy, she uncovered a family history of political violence, forced migration, and silence about past pain. Through culturally sensitive trauma therapy and family-of-origin work, Maria began to connect her emotional struggles to her family’s past. Over time, she learned to set boundaries, identify inherited fears, and began breaking the silence that had defined her family’s communication. Therapy allowed her to create a new story rooted in strength, healing, and connection.
Related Concerns
Next Steps
Intergenerational trauma can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone. You do not need a formal diagnosis to begin your healing journey. Our team is here to support you with empathy and expertise. Contact us today to take the next step toward healing and resilience.