What is Healing: What It Means and How It Works

Acknowledgement: The First Step Toward Healing

The word "healing" is thrown around a lot, but what does it truly mean? Especially when it comes to healing after trauma, the term can feel vague or even overwhelming. In this post, we’ll explore the concept of healing, what it entails, and how it applies to trauma survivors, including those dealing with childhood trauma, complex trauma, or any other form of trauma.

What Is Healing, Really?

Healing is the process of returning to a state of balance—mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It’s not about erasing what happened to us but learning to live with it in a way that no longer controls or defines us. Healing doesn’t mean the absence of scars; it means the scars no longer hurt when touched. It’s about regaining our sense of safety, wholeness, and peace.

It’s also deeply personal. Healing looks different for everyone because our trauma, life experiences, and emotional responses are unique. What feels healing for one person may not work for another, and that’s okay.

Healing After Trauma: An Overview

When we’ve experienced trauma, our minds, bodies, and spirits often carry its imprint. Trauma disrupts our sense of safety and can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves and the world around us. Whether it’s a single traumatic event, ongoing complex trauma, or childhood trauma, healing requires addressing all the layers of the impact. Healing after trauma involves untangling these layers to rebuild a sense of safety, self-worth, and empowerment.

Trauma can manifest as:

• Emotional wounds (fear, anger, sadness, shame)

• Mental patterns (negative self-talk, limiting beliefs)

• Physical symptoms (chronic pain, fatigue, or illness)

• Energetic imbalances (feeling drained or disconnected from our sense of purpose)

What Needs Healing After Trauma?

Trauma affects every part of us, so healing requires a holistic approach which means healing as a ‘whole’. The different parts of us are:

• Mind: Challenge negative beliefs, reframe limiting thoughts, and nurture a positive inner dialogue.

• Body: Release trauma stored in the body through movement, bodywork, or somatic practices.

• Spirit: Reconnect with your sense of purpose, spirituality, or deeper meaning in life.

• Emotions: Process suppressed emotions and learn how to regulate them in healthy ways.

What Happens If We Don’t Heal?

Unhealed trauma keeps us living in the past and prevents us from fully enjoying the present. When trauma remains unaddressed, it can manifest in many ways and here are some examples:

• Emotional pain: Persistent anxiety, depression, or feelings of unworthiness.

• Physical symptoms: Chronic illness, fatigue, or other health issues linked to stress and unresolved emotions.

• Behavioural patterns: Attracting toxic relationships, self-sabotage, or avoiding vulnerability.

• Energetic disconnection: Feeling stuck, lost, or disconnected from your true self.

Scientific and Spiritual Views on Healing

From a scientific perspective, healing involves rewiring the brain. Trauma often changes how our brain functions, particularly in the areas responsible for emotional regulation and memory. Practices like therapy, mindfulness, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) help create new neural pathways, allowing us to respond to life more calmly and resiliently.

On a spiritual level, healing is about releasing the energetic weight of trauma. Many spiritual traditions teach that unresolved emotions and pain can become "stuck" in our energetic field, blocking the flow of life force energy. Practices like meditation, energy healing, and prayer can help clear these blocks and restore harmony.

Stereotypes About Healing

There’s a misconception that healing is about "getting over it" or "fixing" yourself. Some people believe healing means erasing the past or that it’s a one-time event. In reality, healing is a journey. It’s not about erasing what happened but learning how to live a full, empowered life despite it.

Is Healing Possible?

Yes, healing is absolutely possible. While it may feel impossible when you’re in the thick of pain, countless trauma survivors have found freedom and peace through their healing journey. It takes time, effort, and patience, a lot of ups and downs but it’s worth it. 

How Do We Start Healing?

Beginning the healing journey can feel daunting. I strongly encourage you to try out many different approaches to see what works for you as this isn’t a one size fits all process. Here are some steps to guide to get you started:

1. Acknowledgement: Recognize that healing is needed and allow yourself to acknowledge the pain. There are lots of different things that need to be acknowledged. You can see my other blog post to find out more about the step of Acknowledgement here.

2. Education: Learn about trauma and its effects. Understanding that your responses are normal reactions to abnormal circumstances can be liberating. You can find out more about trauma on the following blog post. I have also created a free resource with the most commonly asked questions about trauma and trauma healing which can be downloaded here.

3. Support: Seek support from professionals (therapists, counsellors, or coaches), as well as from supportive friends, family, or communities. You don’t have to do this alone. Although I have worked holistically through the majority of my journey, I still needed this step early on and I encourage you to try different forms to see what works best for you.

4. Mind-Body Connection: Incorporate practices like mindfulness, meditation, breath-work, or yoga to reconnect with your body and calm your nervous system. This is part of healing your mind, body, and soul, which naturally became part of my new lifestyle daily.

5. Energetic Healing: Explore methods like Reiki, chakra clearing, or other energy healing practices to release stored emotions and trauma from the body. If uncleared, this leads to illness as the stuck trauma manifests in the body.

6. Self-Compassion: Speak to yourself with kindness and patience. Healing isn’t linear, and setbacks don’t mean failure. Celebrate the small wins and practice self-care even when the bad days come. Know you are doing the best you can.

   
   

How Do We Know If We’re Healing?

Healing often feels subtle and gradual. You may notice:

• Fewer emotional triggers or quicker recovery from them.

• A sense of peace when recalling painful memories.

• More self-compassion and kindness in your self-talk.

• Feeling present in your body and life.

• A renewed sense of purpose or joy.

Are We Ever ‘Done’ Healing?

To me, healing isn’t about reaching a finish line. I’m still uncovering parts of myself that need healing to this day but I know I’m healing because I no longer live in the emotional pain of the past. Healing the mind alone wasn’t enough; I had to address every part of myself. I’ve worked to heal every part of myself that has taken me on a long journey. Now  I can proudly say that I have transformed into the person that I never could have dreamed was possible. I want that for you too!

No-one though, can honestly say how long it will take. I have found that this is also a very individual thing and for me, it has become a continuous journey that has transformed from one of working through pain to rediscovering parts of myself that is still ongoing today. The only difference is that now I can address and navigate through any issues at ease without being in the pain that I was in before.

Final Thoughts

Healing is a deeply personal and transformative journey. It requires patience, compassion, and a willingness to explore the layers of our pain. While the path is unique to each individual, healing as a whole—mind, body, and spirit—I believe has been key to my lasting transformation.

Stay tuned for future posts where I’ll dive deeper into the practices and tools that have helped me heal. You are capable of healing, and you don’t have to do it alone.