Healing Relational Trauma: What No One Tells You

What if healing from relational trauma doesn't guarantee the love, safety, or peace you've been working toward? In this episode, I share the truths about trauma recovery that no one wants to talk about—the messy, complicated realities that don't fit into simple healing narratives.

What you'll learn

• Why healing relational trauma is about what's within your control—not changing how others treat you
• The hard truth that trauma recovery doesn't guarantee love, perfect relationships, or protection from future wounds
• How to recognize when loving someone means letting them go—and choosing self-respect over loyalty
• Why self-trust must come before trusting others, especially when your body sends warning signals
• How to navigate disagreements with your therapist and remember you're the authority in your own life
• What to do when parts of you learned to abandon yourself to keep the peace
• Why healing builds resilience but doesn't promise a pain-free life—and why it's still worth it

Who is it for
This episode is for adults healing from relational trauma or childhood abuse who are tired of oversimplified healing narratives and ready for honest conversations about the complexity of recovery. It's for anyone navigating toxic relationships, questioning whether to stay or leave, learning to trust themselves again, or facing the reality that healing doesn't guarantee happy endings—but it does offer something more profound and more real.

Note: This episode includes a brief mention of suicide. If you are in crisis or need support and live in Canada, here are some resources:

• Crisis Services Canada: https://988.ca/ | Call or text 9-8-8
• First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ | 1-855-242-3310
• Trans Lifeline Canada: 877-330-6366
• If you live outside of Canada, please check the resources in the country you live in. 

Want to learn more about healing trauma? Here are some ideas:

• Adults with childhood trauma: How to heal and reclaim your life: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/adults-with-childhood-trauma/
• What is the difference between trauma and complex trauma: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-trauma-and-complex-trauma/

If you’d like to explore more, here are some ways to connect:

• Discover more about my work: https://brighthorizontherapies.com/
• Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brighthorizontherapies/
• Send me a message: nat@brighthorizontherapies.com

Trauma Demystified is not intended to replace professional guidance, support, medical treatment, or therapy. Please feel free to consult your physician or a mental health professional for any questions about mental health symptoms.

Bright Horizon Therapies is located in the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda. This land is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. I acknowledge the traditional caregivers of the land and the importance of a commitment to the continued decolonization of my work.

Chapters

• 0:00 Why these conversations matter
• 3:03 Healing is about focusing on what’s within your control.
• 7:48 Healing doesn’t guarantee love — but it’s still worth it.
• 11:50 Healing doesn’t protect you from new wounds.
• 15:02 Sometimes healing means letting go of people you love.
• 20:10 You’re allowed to disagree with your therapist.
• 22:33 Self-trust comes before trusting others.