May 16, 2025

Understanding Your Trauma Responses

Understanding Your Trauma Responses

In this episode of Through the Trauma Podcast, host Amber Larkins speaks with Marcia Bonato Warren, a somatic counselor and interculturalist, about the intersection of cultural identity and trauma. Marcia shares her personal journey growing up in a multicultural environment and how it shaped her approach to therapy. They discuss the impact of generational trauma, the science of epigenetics, and the importance of curiosity in healing. Marcia emphasizes the need for self-compassion and understanding our trauma responses, as well as the power of words in shaping our experiences. In this conversation, Marcia and Amber explore the profound impact of parental labels on children's identities, the societal pressures surrounding body image, and the complexities of intergenerational trauma. They discuss the importance of empathy developed through shared suffering and the necessity of embracing diversity for personal and communal growth. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of finding purpose in pain and the essential role of community in the healing process.


Takeaways

  • Marcia has over 30 years of cross-cultural mental health experience.
  • Cultural identity plays a significant role in how trauma is experienced and processed.
  • Generational trauma can be passed down through families and cultures.
  • Epigenetics shows that trauma can be inherited genetically.
  • Curiosity is essential in understanding and healing from trauma.
  • Trauma responses can include fight, flight, freeze, or fawn behaviors.
  • We can rewire our brains to manage triggers and responses to trauma.
  • Self-compassion is crucial for those dealing with trauma.
  • Cultural messages can influence our trauma responses and coping mechanisms.
  • Words have power; what we speak can manifest in our lives. Parents often label their children, impacting their identity.
  • It's crucial to communicate values without imposing pressure.
  • Body image issues affect everyone, not just women.
  • Intergenerational trauma can be addressed through awareness.
  • Empathy is developed through shared experiences of suffering.
  • Diversity should be embraced, not feared.
  • Finding purpose in pain can lead to personal growth.
  • Community support is vital for healing.
  • Healing is a collective journey, not a solitary one.
  • Understanding different perspectives enriches our own experiences.



To Learn More about  Marcia Bonato Warren

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Keywords

trauma, cultural identity, generational trauma, epigenetics, somatic therapy, healing, mental health, curiosity, trauma responses, self-compassion, parenting, identity, trauma, body image, empathy, diversity, healing, multiculturalism, mental health, community