Healing after trauma is rarely a straight line — it’s a winding path that survivors must walk at their own pace, with curiosity as our greatest companion.
Dear Colleague,
When I first began working with survivors, I thought my role was to guide them swiftly toward solutions.
- I would listen for patterns and quickly connect the dots, thinking I was being efficient and helpful.
- But I often noticed that my urgency created pressure rather than relief; it skipped over their need to feel seen and heard.
- Over time, I realized that true support isn’t about solving — it’s about sitting with their stories, however slowly they unfold.
The bravest thing we can do as therapists is resist the urge to lead, and instead walk beside the survivor on their timeline.
Curiosity transforms the therapy space from a place of fixing into a place of freedom.
- Survivors have often had their autonomy stripped away — curiosity gives it back, gently.
- By asking open-ended questions and allowing silence, we invite them to define their own truths, not conform to ours.
- Every small revelation that surfaces on their own terms strengthens their belief that they can trust themselves again.
Healing happens not when we push for answers, but when we create space for discovery.
Curiosity doesn’t just help our clients — it transforms us as clinicians too.
- It humbles us to realize we don’t have all the answers, and we never needed to.
- It sharpens our empathy, teaching us to sit longer in discomfort without rushing to relieve it.
- It keeps our work vibrant, allowing every client to be seen as unique rather than just another pattern to recognize.
Staying curious keeps us connected — to our clients, to the work, and to our own humanity.
Every survivor’s journey is sacred, and when we meet them with open-hearted curiosity, we honor their right to heal in their own beautiful, complicated time.
👉 Want a practical tool to stay grounded in survivor autonomy? Download the Types of Abuse Worksheet for support in your sessions.
With appreciation for all you do,
🔖 #SupportSurvivors #HealingJourney #TraumaInformedCare #TherapistsOfLinkedIn #MentalHealthMatters