Finding Light After Trauma
Trigger Warning: Please be aware that this piece contains references to suicide.
Before accessing support, Caroline describes her life as feeling “black, empty, lifeless and numb.” Although she continued working, she was completely withdrawn from the world around her. Outside of caring for her daughter, she felt disconnected from everything and everyone.
Daily life became about survival rather than living. Self-care and personal hygiene slipped, and isolation became a way of coping. Caroline explains that at the time, she genuinely believed that dying might be her best option.
“I thought I was just damaged goods. I didn’t think I could be fixed.”
Caroline had never sought treatment before. She did not understand what was happening to her and did not realise that trauma was the root cause of how she was feeling. In her mind, she was the barrier to accessing help.
Pathways to Hope
After experiencing a breakdown at work, Caroline was referred to a psychologist who identified trauma and signposted her to Trauma Healing Together. Initially, she was sceptical. After starting one-to-one counselling, Caroline began the group wellbeing element of the Pathways to Hope programme, but did not believe group support was what she needed.
“I didn’t see the point at first. I thought group wasn’t for me.”
Despite her doubts, she attended. Over time, Caroline began to realise that the group sessions offered something she had never allowed herself before. Time just for her. For two hours, she did not have to worry about housework, dishes, or responsibilities. There was no judgment, no pressure, and no expectation to be anything other than herself.
“It didn’t really matter what the activity was. It was the interaction with people.”
She also came to understand that the combination of group support and counselling was essential. Without both, she believes she would still have had emotional walls built up around her.
The Impact
Since engaging with Trauma Healing Together, Caroline describes her life as “sunny.” She now meets friends for coffee, goes out for meals, takes holidays, laughs with colleagues, and takes pride in her appearance again. While she still has difficult days, she now has the tools and understanding to manage them.
“I used to think I was crazy. Now I understand what was going on.”
A particularly transformative part of her journey has been discovering creative activities through the group, especially junk journaling. What began as a simple, playful activity has become a daily grounding practice.
“It is like being a child again. I do not have to be perfect. I can rip paper. I can let go.”
For someone whose past was shaped by control and rigidity, the freedom to create without rules has been deeply healing. Even on her worst days, she can lose herself in the process for an hour, finding calm and release.
Ongoing Support and Safety
It has now been around a year since Caroline’s referral. One of her biggest fears was that the support would suddenly stop, but knowing she can continue to attend groups has given her reassurance and confidence.
“This is still a safe environment for me.”
THT Hub has become a place where she feels comfortable, welcome, and understood. Somewhere she can come to a wellbeing group, make a coffee, sit down, and take a moment when life feels overwhelming.
Reflection
Caroline often wishes she could sit down with others who are struggling and explain just how life-changing this support has been.
“When you do not see yourself living, it is hard to explain how much places like this help people.”
Her story highlights the profound impact of trauma-informed, compassionate, and accessible support. Not just in helping people survive, but in helping them rediscover joy, connection, and hope for the future.