The Body Keeps the Score

Trauma doesn’t just live in our memories—it embeds itself in our bodies. As Victoria explains, when a person experiences something frightening, painful, or overwhelming, the body develops protective responses. These reactions—tension, anxiety, numbness—can resurface years later when something triggers that memory.

This is why seemingly small moments, like hearing a sound or catching a certain smell, can cause a wave of fear or unease. The body is trying to prevent a repeat of the original trauma.

Doing Hard Things Builds Resilience

One of Victoria’s core messages is that purposefully challenging ourselves can help us prepare for life’s inevitable storms. Cold plunges, long rowing sessions, and physically demanding challenges may seem unrelated to emotional wellness, but they train the brain to adapt under stress.

“When you’ve already proven to yourself you can adapt and overcome,” she says, “you’re better prepared when real-life difficulties show up.”

From “It Happened to Me” to “It Happened for Me”

One of the most powerful mindset shifts discussed in this conversation is learning to reframe trauma. Instead of seeing yourself solely as a victim, you can begin to see your experiences as catalysts for growth.

This doesn’t mean ignoring pain or skipping the grieving process. Healing takes time. But over time, many people find strength, empathy, and purpose from what they’ve endured.

Why Awareness is the First Step

According to Victoria, awareness is essential for recovery. This means noticing physical and emotional responses—whether it’s a racing heart, anxious thoughts, or emotional numbness—and connecting them to past events. By recognizing what’s happening, you can begin to rebuild a sense of safety and control.

The Role of Organizations in Healing

Trauma is not confined to personal life—it walks into the workplace every day. Many employees are silently carrying heavy emotional loads, and without support, their well-being and productivity can suffer.

Victoria encourages companies to:
– Foster psychological safety so employees feel comfortable discussing challenges without fear of judgment.
– Offer preventative wellness programs instead of only reacting after problems appear.
– Recognize that every person’s trauma is unique—what impacts one person deeply may barely register for another.

Workplaces are becoming communities. In an age where traditional communities are fading, the workplace has the opportunity to offer connection, compassion, and support.

Final Thoughts

The truth is, trauma will always exist in some form. But we can choose how we respond—to ourselves and to others. By building resilience, reframing our experiences, and creating supportive work environments, we can transform pain into purpose.

As Victoria reminds us, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Help is available, healing is possible, and even in the darkest moments, there is potential for growth.

https://www.wellnesspsychotherapistnyc.com/