“Well, you know how it feels if you begin hoping for something that you want desperately badly; you almost fight against the hope because it is too good to be true; you’ve been disappointed so often before.”
Something about these words resonates deeply, doesn’t it? This simple sentence allows you to feel seen. Heard.
Nearly 70 years ago, CS Lewis aimed this truth toward children’s hearts.
Clearly, adults feel it’s reality as well.
Do you?
Suzanne Collins does. She wrote, “Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous.”
One experience that unites the human race - is pain. Disappointment. Grief.
No one escapes. I haven’t.
And this makes hope almost scandalous. Dare we hope? If you do, will you be let down? Would that be worse than having no substantial hope?
You can hope. I dare you.
The Mirage of Despair
Many would love to live in such a way that they feel like they’re walking around barefoot on soft grass, with a warm sun on their face and a gentle breeze at their backs.
But that’s not the way life goes.
Too many shards from too many broken hearts are scattered on our sidewalks. The evidence of others’ pain is all too apparent.
At times, the brokenness of others disrupts your peace and threatens your wholeness.
How do you respond when you are:
Betrayed? Dismissed? Objectified?
How do you respond when you:
Stumble? Fail? Violate your own values?
Many try to protect or soothe themselves through various false saviors and cruel lovers.
One overlooked deceiver is pessimism. You may feel like the child who will no longer dare to hope.
The lower your expectations, the less the impact of the disappointment.
But when you live that way, you become something less than human. You feel this. You know – in the depths of your soul – that you MUST hope.
Haven’t you felt, at times, that you’ve had to try to suppress your hope? To “not get your hopes up?”
Why?
Like a balloon filled with helium must rise, so must a heart filled with hope. You have to try to keep it contained.
Or do you?
How Trauma Impacts us All
One issue that shackles people in despair is that they believe the pain they’ve experienced shouldn’t be traumatizing.
Haven’t we been told that “boys don’t cry”?
After all, haven’t people around the world suffered far more? You can almost feel guilty for feeling bad about your pain when refugees are displaced, and children are starving.
Is your broken heart worth mending when others carry deeper scars?
Yes.
The clinical definition of trauma is: “…an emotional response to a distressing experience.”
The CDC defines trauma as an event, or series of events, that cause moderate to severe stress reactions, is called a traumatic event.
Psychological professionals have clearly – and intentionally – left much room in this definition for personal subjectivity.
Why?
How Temperament Impacts Trauma
We’re all different. Consider the nine different temperament categories as communicated by Michigan State University:
Mood
Within each temperament category, people land on a spectrum between high and low. For example, imagine you’re caring for a child who is highly active and highly persistent!
They’ll most certainly give you a run for your money.
(Hang in there, though! These are the kids who eventually change the world!)
Considering these categories and the multifaceted variables that have shaped your story to this point, it would be impossible to expect that any two people would be impacted in the same way by the same event.
You don’t need anyone else to validate your pain. Your experience is legit because it’s yours.
Minimizing or dismissing it won’t make the negative emotional impact dissipate.
We can help.
Your Pain is Neither Insignificant Nor Insurmountable
If some don’t dare to hope for healing because they believe their pain is unsubstantial, others suppress hope because their pain feels like an ever-looming bully that won’t leave them alone.
It shoves you in your locker, steals your lunch money, and harasses you all the way home. You can’t get away.
And yet.
There is a resiliency in the human spirit that defies logic. Hope can unlock healing power that can transform trauma into triumph...in YOUR life.
It has been demonstrated that trauma rewires our brains. This is why you may be “triggered” by certain events, sounds, feelings – even smells – that are unrelated to the reality you are currently experiencing.
Anxiety, depression, PTSD. If you’ve lived with these (or other) bullies harassing you, you may feel like a helpless victim.
And while you may have been victimized, you do not need to live as though you’re helpless.
You’re not.
The research also demonstrates not only how we can be damaged but how we can be healed. Trauma does rewire our brains. The right therapy can untangle your brain and heal the pain that trauma has created.
Life Transformation Counseling is Here for You
We know healing is possible because we’ve experienced it. Our therapists are not only equipped with education and degrees.
They carry their own stories of seeing trauma transformed into triumph.
Our team applies the best, diverse, multifaceted models of therapy. One size does not fit all when it comes to walking with individuals on their journey of healing through their pain, sadness, and trauma.
We view the therapeutic process as an open and collaborative partnership. Since your story is unique to you, our treatment is specifically designed and adapted to your needs.
Our therapeutic style is respectful, supportive, and direct as we seek positive solutions – with you.
Hope permeates our therapy. We can’t hold it back any more than we can stop the sun from rising. Our clients have experienced breakthroughs when they were on the brink of despair.
Like Star:
“Going through one of the toughest moments of my life, Natalie walked me through and helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel. Her support gave me hope and I am forever grateful she was there for me when I didn't know where to turn. If you are in need of counseling, I strongly suggest going to Life Transformation Counseling.”
You don’t have to struggle alone. We don’t judge. We empower. Your pain won’t be minimized or sensationalized. We know how to help you find the path of healing your heart longs for.
We will walk with you on it. Everyone needs someone to shoulder their burdens with them from time to time.
Of all the research done on recovering from trauma, one factor is always sighted:
Relational support.
We see you. You’re not alone.
Your Healing Awaits!
Can you feel the hope rising in your heart? I dare you to let it go. Let hope rise in your heart so that healing can saturate your life.
You have the strength to hope.
What would change in your life if you believed your trauma WILL BE transformed into triumph?
How would that impact your relationships? Your work? Rest? Play? Future?
Your best days can be ahead – regardless of the obstacles. You can be healed. You can hope.
We can empower you to triumph. Just like we saw happen in the life of “Client S”:
“Natalie was God’s vehicle as my calm in a hellacious storm. She walked alongside me guiding me, helping me survive, then heal, then grow and then thrive. I can’t even express the amount of gratitude I have for the deep healing with ART to the application of practical communication strategies.”
Therapy that Works for You
Life Transformation Counseling is committed to meeting anyone where they are on their journey. We offer a variety of counseling services, including:
Within each service, we offer a variety of ways of addressing core issues so that we can get to the root of your pain and empower you to take the steps you need to experience the health you long for.
We draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems, Active Listening, Emotion Focused Therapy, Collaborative Problem Solving, Gottman Method Therapy, and Motivational Enhancement Therapy, all of which are proven and time-tested methods of therapy.
Our team also utilizes Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and/or Brainspotting (BSP) to help clients experience faster relief and healing. Helping you move from trauma to triumph is our specialty.
Let Your Hope Rise
Today can be the day your journey of healing begins. Our compassionate, skilled team of therapists is eager to empower you to step into freedom and flourishing.
Reach out today to schedule an appointment. You can join us in person. We also provide telehealth counseling sessions if you prefer.
We hope you will follow the advice of Martin Luther King, Jr.:
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope!”