For many of us who have experienced trauma, it can be a challenge to feel like we are present and honest in a new relationship when our trauma story is not out in front. Here’s one way to engage that: layers of disclosure that give space for trust to develop without overwhelming teller or listener. .
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You can be honest about your life without unfurling the details of your past trauma. There’s no timeline here, because every relationship is different, but slow disclosure that leaves space for the grey area between total vulnerability and total secrecy is the space where trust (and thus, intimacy) grow.
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Even in really, really healthy, close relationships, not everyone will be able to hold the details of your trauma- and that’s ok. If you need a witness to the grit, therapy can be a safe place to access that kind of care. And while we are talking about trauma stories and therapy: please let me shout from the rooftop that you DON’T have to go to therapy and tell everything in the first session (or, intake if it’s a clinic setting). It’s ok to give them the top level summary and take the time you need to get into the rest.
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Want to see more art like this? Sign up at patreon.com/lindsaybraman to get printables and be a part of sustainable instagram art. This image is 1 of a 3 part series about disclosing trauma in new relationships that you can read about, download, or buy on a poster via the link in my profile.
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#repost @lindsaybraman
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#therapy #ptsd #trauma #traumahealing #mentalhealthawareness #realrelationships #datingadvice
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