Many adults carry the effects of trauma stemming from childhood, especially from an adverse childhood experience (ACE). Abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, parental divorce and living with a family member with substance use disorder can impact a person’s health, well-being and outcome in life. About 64% of adults in the U.S. have experienced at least one ACE, and your teen may be able to feel its ripple effects. Research shows that parents who have experienced an ACE may have a more challenging time being sensitive and responsive to their child’s needs. Children born to parents with at least two ACEs have 42% higher risk of depression at ages 12-13 and 19% higher risk at ages 16-17. 

If you’re concerned about past trauma affecting your teen, there’s hope. Generational trauma, clinically referred to as intergenerational trauma, can be tough to manage, but you can address it in a healthy way. Doing so can help improve your teen’s happiness and well-being, and there are many positive signs that your efforts are working. Additionally, our compassionate licensed clinical therapists at Lightfully are always here to help you.

Keep reading to discover five green flags that show healing from generational trauma is possible. 

5 green flags of healing generational trauma

Healing generational trauma can feel overwhelming, but green flags are signs that you’re making a difference for your family. It also takes time. When you see these positive indicators, you can feel more confident that good changes are happening for you and your teen. Recognizing these signs can give you hope, guidance and assurance that even the smallest steps are helping your family move forward from past hurts. 

Here are five green flags you can look for:

1. Open communication

When your teen feels safe talking to you, and you can listen with empathy, this is an incredible sign. Honest communication can show trust, build understanding, and break any past patterns of silence or disconnection. When your teen feels comfortable talking to you, they may open up about school or relationships without fear of judgment. Creating a safe, loving connection with your teen is one of the greatest signs of healing.

2. Increased self-awareness

Recognizing unhealthy family patterns can help you prevent them from continuing. Self-awareness can lead you to separate your own experiences from acquired behaviors, identify your triggers and foster stronger relationships. For instance, if you used to withdraw from conflict but now take active steps to communicate calmly and clearly, you’re making a positive change.

3. Healthy coping strategies for stress

Managing stress in a positive way can help break unhealthy family cycles. Techniques like mindfulness, journaling and grounding can calm emotional distress and show your teen how to handle challenges effectively. Even taking a few deep breaths is a constructive way to model healthy coping behavior for your teen.

4. Reflective responses instead of reactive ones

Generational trauma can cause people to react impulsively out of fear, like getting frustrated at your teen for making a mistake. Pausing a moment before reacting can help you respond thoughtfully, demonstrate healthy coping skills and stop generational fear-based responses.

5. Secure attachment

Building safe, trusting relationships in your family is a strong sign of healing. It shows that past patterns of insecurity, fear or mistrust are being replaced with healthier behaviors. For instance, if you once shut down emotionally but now respond empathetically when your teen needs you, you are creating a nurturing environment. This welcoming space can set the stage for healthier relationships in your family.

Lightfully can help your family heal from generational trauma

While healing the effects of generational trauma may feel overwhelming, it is possible. It takes time to end unhealthy patterns you’ve seen for years, but taking this effort can improve the well-being of your teen and future generations. If you’ve seen any green flags, you know you’re making a difference, and if you need help, it’s OK to ask for professional support.

At Lightfully, our deeply compassionate, licensed clinical therapists can help your family overcome unhealthy cycles. We use whole-person-centered care and evidence-based treatments to help families recognize patterns of distress and build healthier communication and coping strategies. If you think your teen’s health and well-being is affected by generational trauma, we have multiple levels of care that may help, including our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). 

Our IOP can help teens who need a bit more intensive support for moderate to severe symptoms than they can receive through regular outpatient therapy sessions. PHP offers a highly specialized, structured level of care that involves full days of programming while allowing teens to return home each night.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of your teen.