“To be betrayed/abandoned/rejected is a deep – and one of the worst – soul woundings we can get”.
-David Eshleman
It’s part of the human experience to encounter moments of rejection, betrayal, and abandonment. However, when these things happen over and over again, especially in our early life (childhood through young adulthood), this pattern of “small t trauma” can develop into complex trauma, an internalized interpersonal and soul wounding. Although Complex PTSD is not listed as an official diagnosis in the DSM yet, it is a real disorder that is very different than regular PTSD. In a paper published at the university of Zurich, researches identified three specific features of CPTSD. They state that 3 unique hallmarks of this wounding is: “…chronic and pervasive disturbances in emotion regulation, identity, and relationships.
Often times, people who have experienced great rejection and spiritual wounding find themselves in conflct situations, misunderstood, and judged/shamed for being themselves. It’s not easy to build trust or feel good when there is constant conflict and tension and “dis-ease” in life.
One of the many benefits of therapy here is the development of a stable and lasting healthy modelled relationship. Within this space, the foundation of trust and then healing and reclamation work can start to develop. This is part of the deep work required to bring about lasting change, healing, and growth. This work is less about the destination, and more about the journey.