It’s often said that trauma is what happened to us. But that’s only part of the story.
Sometimes, trauma is also about what didn’t happen. The comfort that wasn’t offered. The presence that was missing. The validation we never got.

When we don’t receive what we need—especially over a long period of time—our bodies start to adapt. Our nervous systems begin to code the world, and even ourselves, as unsafe. And when that internal alarm system gets stuck in overdrive, the result is a chronic sense of unsafety.

This is especially true for survivors of complex trauma. You may notice that you often feel on edge, disconnected from your body, or wary of your own reactions. You may struggle to rest or feel at ease, even in safe environments.

That’s because the work of healing from trauma isn’t just about feeling safe in the world. It’s about learning how to feel safe with yourself.

This is what we mean by building internal safety.

It’s the slow and steady work of cultivating a relationship with yourself that feels grounding. It’s learning to trust your inner cues again. It’s the ability to soften when your nervous system is activated, rather than fight or flee from your own experience.

This month at The Empowered Therapist, we’ll be exploring internal safety from several angles. We’ll talk about nervous system responses, embodiment practices, and how to relate to trauma responses with more gentleness and understanding.

Because no matter where you are, you carry yourself with you. And if you can return to yourself—if you can feel safe inside your own body, even when the world feels shaky—then you’ve created something deeply powerful.

You’ve created home.

Thank you for letting me see you,