Overcoming a Difficult Childhood

Overcoming a difficult childhood is, I believe, one of the greatest of human triumphs. As children, we are vulnerable and dependent on adults to protect, nurture and guide us. Our parents and other authority figures provide our earliest role models from whom we learn about relationships.

Many of us face one or more of the following challenges at some point along the path to adulthood:

1. A childhood that was very stressful and/or overly critical
2. Abandonment – physical and/or emotional
3. Neglect
4. Abuse – can be physical, emotional or sexual in nature
5. Trauma – examples are: accidents, natural disasters, or being a crime victim
6. Discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity
7. Discrimination based on a physical characteristic or for being differently abled
8. Substance abuse problem – either oneself or a family member
9. Physical or mental health problem – oneself or family member
10. Financial hardship
11. Parents divorce or marital struggles
12. Learning problems or social difficulties in school
13. Problems with siblings

Treatment

In my studies of neuroscience, I’ve learned that the brain is more resilient and better able to heal from negative experiences and to reshape beliefs and behavior patterns than we previously thought was possible.

In my practice, I use many tools to help adults who’ve been hurt or hindered by difficult experiences to heal, catch up and enjoy their lives. These tools include:

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy
2. Psychodynamic therapy
3. Interpersonal therapy
4. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
5. Hypnosis
6. Mindfulness training
7. Self-acceptance therapy

If you believe you have been handicapped by difficulties in childhood, you don’t need to stay stuck. I invite you to call and discuss your situation to see if therapy might be of value.