Intergenerational Trauma: South Asians Healing Together

Trauma is a human experience that lives in our bodies, our spirit and reproduces through our relationships and intergenerationally.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is a mind-body reaction. It occurs when events overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope with emotions, sensations, and other information connected with the experience. Trauma is not a reaction of choice. There are two categories relating to trauma.

“Big T” Trauma:

“Big T” trauma might include sexual assault and abuse, natural disaster, car crash, death of a loved one (particularly if sudden), medical emergency or serious diagnosis, job loss, violence (enduring, witnessing or perpetrating), betrayal or breach of trust.

“Little t” Trauma:

“Little t” trauma might include bullying, troubled relationships and breakups, poverty or money worries, addictions (yours or someone you love), racism, homophobia and other forms of chronic oppression.

Intergenerational Trauma refers to multigenerational trauma that gets passed down by those who experience it first hand and to subsequent generations. This includes effects for the individual, family members or the collective trauma impacting the larger community, culture, race, ethnicity or groups.

South Asian history is steeped in trauma. India experienced two centuries of British Colonial rule until Independence was gained August 15, 1947. Prior to colonial rule, India was a self-sufficient and thriving economy known as the golden eagle and well established on the work map through the export of goods.

During colonial rule, South Asians suffered poverty, malnutrition, disease, cultural upheaval, exploitation, political disadvantage and overall programming aimed at creating a sense of social and racial inferiority. Traumas experienced by South Asians being the Great Bengal Famine of 1770 which wiped out an estimated 10 million people, religious war, The British Raj, Partition (an estimated one million people died during this time), slavery, sexual and physical violence and the expulsion of Ugandan Asians. Feelings of powerlessness and disintegration of identity created ancestral trauma continuing to show up generationally in the psychological turmoil still felt today.

Bessel Van Der Kolk coined “speechless terror”, where trauma quite literally shuts down the speech centres, creating an experience of being lost for words.

How is it that trauma experienced by our ancestors is showing up psychologically in subsequent generations? The role of Epigenetics explains this psychological phenomenon.

Epigenetics refers to the study of heritable changes in gene expressions. Recent studies demonstrate that traumatic events can induce genetic changes in the parents, which then may be transmitted to their children within the DNA with the associated adverse effects. Epigenetics can be traced up to three generations back.

Symptoms of Intergenerational Trauma:

  • People pleasing, inferiority complex and submissiveness
  • Substance abuse
  • Overachieving tendencies
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Lack of trust of others
  • Irritability and anger
  • Nightmares
  • Difficulties in relationships and relating to others

Healing Intergenerational Trauma

The first thing to know is that this trauma took generations to form so it will take time to reverse the impacts and heal.

Tips:

  • End the secrecy. To heal, families need to share the extent of the issues of the past
  • Name and talk about the impact
  • Identify and learn about symptoms of trauma such as anxiety, substance abuse, anger, violence and depression.
  • Work together instead of blaming. The goal is not to create victims and perpetrators but to improve family health and wellness for the current members and future generations.
  • Correct past mistakes so that the family does not perpetuate unhealthy trauma habits
  • Develop practices of mindfulness, compassion and healthy habits
  • Work with professionals who are trained to treat trauma

Know that you are not alone. By healing ourselves we heal the next generation to follow.

“Your survival response is not a moral failing. An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior.” Viktor Frankel

Angie Holstein, MSW, RSW, Psychotherapist

Creating change can feel overwhelming, but through supportive, non-judgmental dialogue, you can begin to better cope with the feelings, thoughts and behaviour patterns associated with your life’s challenges.

If you enjoyed this blog, please consider sharing it.
Take what you need to hear today, and spend some time reminding yourself of things that are often easy to forget.You are doing your best, and that is what matters!#mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthquotes #compassionfocusedtherapy #motivationalquotes #torontotherapy #mentalhealthcheckin

Take what you need to hear today, and spend some time reminding yourself of things that are often easy to forget.

You are doing your best, and that is what matters!

#mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthquotes #compassionfocusedtherapy #motivationalquotes #torontotherapy #mentalhealthcheckin
...

12 0
Students: Welcome to Shanti Psychotherapy!Shanti Psychotherapy has a special interest in supporting international students as our team has a deep understanding of the international student lived experience. 📚Our therapists are both attuned, trained and many have the lived experience of being an international student.They bring a wealth of compassion and knowledge to support the uncertainty with school life, visa processes, stress, homesickness and are dedicated to supporting students to gain the most from their courageous decision to study abroad. 👩🏽‍🎓Please reach out for a free 20 minute consultation with any of our therapists using the link in the bio to hear more about our low cost services for international students. ✨#internationalstudents #internationalstudentsincanada #studenttherapy #southasiantherapy #internationalstudenttherapy #torontobasedtherapy #internationalstudentexperience #southasianmentalhealth #therapistsofinstagram #grouptherapy

Students: Welcome to Shanti Psychotherapy!

Shanti Psychotherapy has a special interest in supporting international students as our team has a deep understanding of the international student lived experience. 📚

Our therapists are both attuned, trained and many have the lived experience of being an international student.

They bring a wealth of compassion and knowledge to support the uncertainty with school life, visa processes, stress, homesickness and are dedicated to supporting students to gain the most from their courageous decision to study abroad. 👩🏽‍🎓

Please reach out for a free 20 minute consultation with any of our therapists using the link in the bio to hear more about our low cost services for international students. ✨

#internationalstudents #internationalstudentsincanada #studenttherapy #southasiantherapy #internationalstudenttherapy #torontobasedtherapy #internationalstudentexperience #southasianmentalhealth #therapistsofinstagram #grouptherapy
...

27 4
We strive to provide a compassionate and culturally informed small group for individuals to explore and understand the impact of intergenerational trauma and attachment wounds on their lives.Through group support, education, skill building and evidence-based practices, we aim to empower participants to break cycles of trauma, foster resilience, and create meaningful connections.Awareness and Understanding about your unique intergenerational trauma and attachment wounds that affects your emotions, psychological well being, behavioural patterns and identity formation.Emotional Processing: A space for you to safely explore, share and process emotions associated with intergenerational trauma and attachment wounds.Therapeutic Techniques: Learn skills for self soothing emotions such as shame, greif and anger stemming from family history. Skills such as grounding, boundary setting, visualization and more, that support healing in and beyond the group setting.Resilience Building: To acquire cycle breaking strategies for you to develop a healthier self and healthier future generations.Connection and Support: Experience an impactful sense of belonging with others who share similar experiences. Validation, affirming and collective healing.Empowerment: Shift your story by re authoring your life and relationship with your culture so you can strengthen your generational gifts!The group is for individuals 18+, will be 2 hours long, every week for 6 weeks and will be $75.Email us at intake.shantipsychotherapy@gmail.com to learn more and sign up!#grouptherapy #attachmenttherapy #southasiantherapist #southasiantherapy #grouptherapytoronto

We strive to provide a compassionate and culturally informed small group for individuals to explore and understand the impact of intergenerational trauma and attachment wounds on their lives.

Through group support, education, skill building and evidence-based practices, we aim to empower participants to break cycles of trauma, foster resilience, and create meaningful connections.

Awareness and Understanding about your unique intergenerational trauma and attachment wounds that affects your emotions, psychological well being, behavioural patterns and identity formation.

Emotional Processing: A space for you to safely explore, share and process emotions associated with intergenerational trauma and attachment wounds.

Therapeutic Techniques: Learn skills for self soothing emotions such as shame, greif and anger stemming from family history. Skills such as grounding, boundary setting, visualization and more, that support healing in and beyond the group setting.

Resilience Building: To acquire cycle breaking strategies for you to develop a healthier self and healthier future generations.

Connection and Support: Experience an impactful sense of belonging with others who share similar experiences. Validation, affirming and collective healing.

Empowerment: Shift your story by re authoring your life and relationship with your culture so you can strengthen your generational gifts!

The group is for individuals 18+, will be 2 hours long, every week for 6 weeks and will be $75.

Email us at intake.shantipsychotherapy@gmail.com to learn more and sign up!

#grouptherapy #attachmenttherapy #southasiantherapist #southasiantherapy #grouptherapytoronto
...

11 0
Healing, growing and changing doesn’t look the same for everyone and it can often feel like the change you’re wanting to see isn’t visible.Here are some signs that you’re growing and  making more progress than you might think.You’re more comfortable saying no, you validated yourself, you stop arguing with people who
are committed to misunderstanding you, you acknowledge your hurt, you walk away from
one-sided relationships, you no longer focus on past experiences you can’t change, and most importantly you show up for yourself in ways you didn’t before! ✨#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthquotes #mentalhealthcheckin
#compassionfocusedtherapy #motivationalquotes #torontotherapy

Healing, growing and changing doesn’t look the same for everyone and it can often feel like the change you’re wanting to see isn’t visible.

Here are some signs that you’re growing and making more progress than you might think.

You’re more comfortable saying no, you validated yourself, you stop arguing with people who
are committed to misunderstanding you, you acknowledge your hurt, you walk away from
one-sided relationships, you no longer focus on past experiences you can’t change, and most importantly you show up for yourself in ways you didn’t before! ✨

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthquotes #mentalhealthcheckin
#compassionfocusedtherapy #motivationalquotes #torontotherapy
...

10 0
Our new Intergenerational Trauma Group is launching in February 2025!Focused on breaking the Cycle of Intergenerational Trauma and Attachment Wounds This group is designed to help you:● Understand the patterns passed down through your familial generations.
● Learn and shift neurobiological systems and leave behind trauma.
● Build tools for breaking unhealthy familial cycles.
● Heal attachment wounds and build secure relationships.
● Share a safe, supportive space with others on the same journey.Why Join?● Affordable Care: Group therapy is a cost-effective option.
● Community Support: Heal in a collective, empowering environment.
● Insurance: Covered by most insurance plans

Our new Intergenerational Trauma Group is launching in February 2025!

Focused on breaking the Cycle of Intergenerational Trauma and Attachment Wounds This group is designed to help you:

● Understand the patterns passed down through your familial generations.
● Learn and shift neurobiological systems and leave behind trauma.
● Build tools for breaking unhealthy familial cycles.
● Heal attachment wounds and build secure relationships.
● Share a safe, supportive space with others on the same journey.

Why Join?

● Affordable Care: Group therapy is a cost-effective option.
● Community Support: Heal in a collective, empowering environment.
● Insurance: Covered by most insurance plans
...

40 8

© 2025 Shanti Psychotherapy | All Rights Reserved