Historical/ Intergenerational Trauma

Inner child work may help with those experiencing intergenerational trauma. Inner child work helps explore unprocessed childhood emotions and feelings that currently impact one’s life and understanding, managing, and/or reducing triggers. One desire for inner child work may be to identify wounded areas and/or unmet needs of the child, learn to advocate, protect, or show compassion for the child, create a safe enough space to invite the child to play, and integrate the child with the adult self.

Most people think about trauma as a war or a near death experience, but in therapy we know that trauma is present when we see some specific symptoms that are usually results of an embodied, neuro-biological experience from a time where our brains and bodies were overwhelmed. In those moments it can seem like we don’t have access to the more philosophical and emotionally intelligent parts of ourselves.

During her time at Teachers College, Columbia University Talia studied Bilingual Latinx Counseling. The program placed a huge emphasis on understanding and conceptualizing client's presenting concerns through the historical/ intergenerational trauma that might have triggered and/or exacerbated it.

Many of the people I have served hold marginalized identities, which often means they have experienced historical and intergenerational trauma. I have provided extensive training and consultation about the topic of trauma since 2014, and specialize in working with trauma survivors. The experience of historical and intergenerational trauma can range from being overt to nuanced, and is a topic that I'm passionate about.

Unfortunately, trauma is much more common than we want to acknowledge. When I work with clients to address the impact of trauma, we first have to build safety, self-compassion, social support, and skills in managing intense emotions. We work to make sense of your story and to unlearn unhelpful patterns. This can feel like a scary journey, and it’s important that you feel supported and safe along the way.

As a psychotherapist, I specialize in addressing Historical/Intergenerational Trauma. My approach involves understanding deep-rooted emotional patterns and their impact across generations. I help clients unpack complex family histories, heal past wounds, and break cycles of trauma. Through empathy and evidence-based practices, I guide individuals towards awareness, healing, and resilience, fostering a path to a more empowered and liberated future.

Trauma doesn't come from nowhere. It is tied to family, community, and national history. It is connected to the long and many faceted systemic oppression that causes so much trauma. For me, most trauma is connected to the intergenerational. This is why in my work with clients I connect present experiences of symptoms related to trauma to past relationships, family history, community history, and more.

If you have historical trauma/ intergenerational trauma that continues to haunt you and you would like to work through it. Art therapy and energy medicine can be very helpful in addressing and releasing historical trauma. I work with my clients to create a safe space and give them tools so that we can address old traumas in a kind and gentle way that respects your body, mind and spirit.

Through the modules of DBT and EMDR, we work towards accountability and control over your current choices.

I'm trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy and EMDR and over the years have worked with multiple clients that dealt with generational trauma. I continue to engage in trainings and consult with supervisors and colleagues for further guidance.

'Garen' is the name of the indigenous homeland of my paternal ancestors on the Armenian Highlands, occupied by Turkey. I am the grandson of genocide survivors, and son of refugees fleeing the brutality & terror of U.S. colonialism. My research focuses on intergenerational resilience and the importance of ancestral grief work.

In a safe and supportive environment, you'll discover how living in survival mode became normal for you while also developing tools that you can use in the real world to live a life that's calmer, more peaceful and more fulfilling.