Trauma Tip Of The Week #1

💬 Trauma Tip of the Week:

“Let’s start from the beginning” is not the vibe.

We get it — you’re trying to be thorough. You want the full story. But telling someone to “start from the beginning” can feel like asking them to open a box they’ve spent years duct-taping shut.

And guess what? The “beginning” might be fuzzy, chaotic, or straight-up painful. Trauma messes with memory. It's not a Netflix series with clean episode titles.

Try this instead:

“Whatever part feels okay to talk about — we can start there.”

Boom. Gentle. Supportive. You’re not asking for a TED Talk. You’re offering space.

Why it matters:

• It gives control back to the person.

• It lowers the pressure to perform or relive everything.

• It sets the tone: You’re here to listen, not interrogate.

  
  

Bonus Tip: If someone says, “I don’t know where to start,” that’s your cue to say:

“No pressure. I’m here when you’re ready — we’ll figure it out together.”

The goal isn’t to force a timeline. The goal is to create safety. Because when people feel safe?They’ll open up. And they’ll remember more — in their time, not yours.