The Gift of the Gods

Trauma is a harsh reality of thehuman experience; posttraumatic growth is our birthright. Humanity’s ability to grow in the aftermath of trauma has spurred the transformation and the evolution of our species.
 

Psychologists have definedposttraumatic growth as “the experience of positive change that the individual experiences as a result of the struggle with a traumatic event.” Posttraumatic growth occurs within three domains: transformations in one’s sense of self, transformations in one’s relationships with others, and transformations in one’s philosophy of life. Posttraumatic growth is marked by positive cognitive, relational, social, and spiritual changes that result from traumatic experiences. Posttraumatic growth is both a process and an outcome, and the process and outcome are unique to each individual.
 

Though traumatic experiences cancause intense suffering, we can harness the gifts of posttraumatic growth to cultivate personal growth and foster collective transformation. As psychologist Peter Levine proclaimed in Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma, “While trauma can be hell on earth, trauma resolved is a gift of the gods – a heroic journey that belongs to each of us."

Posttraumatic growth sessions are an alternative resource for those justifiably frustrated with mental health care. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) guides our nation's mental health system. Though the DSM was designed to be used by psychiatrists and medical practitioners, this manual is now used by social workers, marriage and family therapists, and other clinicians who lack medical and psychiatric qualifications.
 

Most insurance companies requireindividuals to be diagnosed with psychiatric disorders before they will cover the cost of mental health treatment. These policies pressure clinicians to label individuals with mental disorders within the first hour of meeting a client, which often leads therapists to dismiss the traumatic reality of the human experience and pathologize normal trauma symptoms in ways that lead to demonizing psychiatric diagnosis. Additionally, many mental health clinicians deny the potential for posttraumatic growth, a clinical tactic that leads many clients to either internalize such clinical demonization or simply walk away from treatment.
 

The posttraumatic growth processmust begin from within. Otherwise, we leave ourselves open to being demonized, manipulated, and controlled by others. The history of America's mental health system is full of men and women who have used the tools of psychology and the DSM to harm individuals and groups. As the 20th-century psychologist Joost Meerloo observed, “All knowledge can be used either for good or for evil, and psychology is not immune to this general law. Psychology has delivered up to man new means of torture and intrusion into the mind.”
 

Unlike many mental health professionals, posttraumatic growth specialist take on the role of an expert companion. Posttraumatic growth facilitators lead with companionship and empathy rather than technical expertise. Though they have experienced their share of trauma and transformation, expert companions are continually learning about the posttraumatic growth process with others.

Posttraumatic growth coaching sessions are built on the ancient Greek mantra "Know Thyself," as the growth and transformation process begins with awareness of one's traumatic experiences and a deep knowledge of one's unique and individual personality.
Posttraumatic growth coaching sessions will empower individuals to know themselves on a deeper level, examine their relationships with others, evaluate their philosophy of life, and move forward with greater clarity, purpose, and passion.