Generational Trauma: Warrior Genetics & Phase 2 Preparation
Guest Blog Post by Erika Yourdan, PhD, LMFT-S, LAC, LCDC
Generational trauma is a topic that is gathering much attention in the therapeutic world. Advanced training and educational resources stress the importance of building competency in this area, yet, it can be difficult to know where to begin. First and foremost, a solid understanding of the definition of generational is helpful to begin to conceptualize cases.
Definition of generational trauma
According to the American Psychological Association (2023), “the transmission of trauma or its legacy, in the form of psychological consequence of an injury or attack, poverty, and so forth, from generation experiencing the trauma to subsequent generations.” Generational trauma is discrete trauma. The psychological, physiological, and social effects are passed down from generation to generation without each person directly experiencing the original event (Isobel et al., 2021). In short, generational trauma is a broad umbrella term to attempt to explain how trauma is passed from generation to generation through direct or relational interactions. In fact, most of generational trauma is relational. The way in which a person parents, emotionally regulates – or doesn’t – and generally holds space for family members contributes to the multigenerational transmission process (Gonzalez et al., 2022; Kumar et al., 2020).
Epigenetic Inheritance
The current body of literature around epigenetics and trauma is fast growing. Psychosocial stressors such as poverty, access to care issues, child abuse, racism, war, and harassment are a current focus of an emerging field examining social epigenetics identifying how these adverse experiences can leave biological signs within the body (Dubois & Guspare, 2020; Mulligan, 2016). These epigenetic modifications are defined through phenotype modifications and result from environmental influences that can be passed through generations (Ekmekci & Muftarevic, 2023; Burggren, 2015; Klose & Bird, 2006).
What is often not spoken about is the fact that what is inherited is not always adverse. Yes, there are hundreds of articles detailing the negative effects of generational trauma and inherited wounds. The adaptively transmitted elements are often overlooked and undervalued in the therapy room. EMDR therapists are called to be healers, helpers, a beacon of hope to overcome what has been passed down. Even though therapists are not neuroscientists or biologists and are not expected to be well-versed in the science behind gene development, some general knowledge can be helpful when preparing clients for EMDR therapy. The effects of the genetic mutations that occur in the body as a result of trauma can be both deleterious and adaptive (Ekmekci & Muftarevic, 2023). Meaning, clients have the potential to inherit adaptive responses built into their genetic makeup.
Phase 2 Preparation
Understanding this adaptive element built into clients is a critical component to tap into in the early preparation phases of EMDR treatment. Many clients struggle to connect with adaptive resources, having countless adverse life experiences. Shapiro (2018) cites the importance of EMDR therapy being client-centered and flexible, requiring flexibility from the clinician. Meeting the client where they’re at, with the body they are in, is a beautiful way to do just that. In addition, it allows the EMDR therapist to offer psychoeducation and insight into how the body stores things, both adaptively and maladaptively (Shapiro, 2018).
Warrior Genetic Installation
The changes in the genome structures as a result of generational trauma are both adaptive and maladaptive. In the preparation phase, a focus on the adaptive pieces is critical. This author has named these “Warrior Genetics”. These are the parts of the body that are inherently designed to combat stressors better than those who came before us. A generational gift, in the midst of so much pain. This can be an incredibly powerful resource, help the client access adaptive beliefs around their family of origin or experiences, and feel connected to powerful cultural influences.
Adapting the Resource Development and Installation (RDI) protocol (Korn & Leeds, 2002), EMDR therapists can meet the client where they are and increase the connection to this adaptively stored information. It is important to first obtain permission from the client to connect to this resource. In addition, RDI can help with early stabilization (Korn & Leeds, 2002).
Adapted Korn & Leeds (2002) Script:
- Identification of Resource
- “Let’s explore this internal strength of ‘Warrior Genes.'”
- “Is there someone or something that represents this resource of a “warrior” for you? Or perhaps a time when you embodied this quality?”
- Invite the client to connect with the sensory aspects
- “Tell me more about what you see/hear/feel/smell/taste.”
- “Tell me more about what you see/hear/feel/smell/taste.”
- Enhance the connection to body/feelings and sensations
- “As you connect with your warrior genes, what feelings and body sensations are you aware of?”
- Installation with short and slow bilateral stimulation
- Checking in between sets, “What do you notice?”, if adaptive, continue adding sets.
- If distress arises, troubleshoot to set aside. If the client is unable to set aside and redirect, move to close.
- Link with a positive cue word or phrase
- Identify the word or phrase, link with short and slow BLS.
- It may be helpful to invite movement here, inviting the client to stand in a warrior pose.
- Continue adding sets of short and slow BLS until fully installed.
- Closure
- “If it feels comfortable, I invite you to place a hand over your chest. Breathe into this space for a moment, connecting with your warrior genes and the {insert cue word/phrase}. Remember these are a part of you. When you’re ready, make your way back to the room.”
Your clients all have a warrior inside of them, they are designed to heal. Their presence in your office is evidence of that. Happy healing!
Erika Yourdan, PhD, specializes in treating and researching generational trauma. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, a Licensed Addiction Counselor, and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, practicing in Texas and Colorado. Erika is also a Certified EMDR Therapist and Consultant and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. She has a small group practice focusing on bringing EMDR therapy to rural Texas. Erika is passionate about disrupting unhealthy patterns of communication and abuse within family systems and helping her clients find their voice.
References
Burggren, W.W. (2015). Dynamics of epigenetic phenomena: Intergenerational and intragenerational phenotype “washout”. Journal of Exploratory Biology, 218, 80-87. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.107318
Ekmekci, H.S., & Muftarevic, S. (2023). Epigenetic effects of social stress and epigenetic inheritance. Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 15(1), 132-145. https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.1059315
Gonzalez, S., Rodriguez, C. M., & Paine, E. (2022). Examining gender-specific modeling in the intergenerational transmission of parenting style and physical child abuse risk. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 31(9), 2344-2358. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02232-1
Isobel, S., McCloughen, A., Goodyear, M., & Foster, K. (2021). Intergenerational trauma and its relationship to mental health care: A qualitative inquiry. Community Mental Health Journal, 57(4), 631-643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00698-1
Klose, R. J., & Bird, A. P. (2006). Genomic DNA methylation: The mark and its mediators. Trends in Biochemical Sciences, 31(2), 89-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibs.2005.12.008
Korn, D. L., & Leeds, A. M. (2002). Preliminary evidence of efficacy for EMDR resource development and installation in the stabilization phase of treatment of complex posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(12), 1465-1487. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.10099
Kumar, S. A., Franz, M. R., Brock, R. L., & DiLillo, D. (2020). Posttraumatic stress and parenting behaviors: The mediating role of emotion regulation. Journal of Family Violence, 35(5), 417-426. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-019-00124-5
Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd Ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
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Date
October 18, 2024
Contributor(s)
Erika Yourdan
Topics
Intergenerational Trauma
Practice & Methods
Resilience, Resourcing