Matt Brown talks about surviving physical abuse, early trauma, and shame from childhood. He explains why therapy sometimes misses the mark, argues that healing is the survivor's responsibility even though the trauma wasn't their fault, and says the path forward runs through connection and belonging.
Three years old.
If I could describe my childhood in one word, I would use the word unsafe. You're bringing shame to your family. Sorry if this may be triggering, but suicide was a very rural friend of mine. A grief where my innocence was stolen from me at the age of three. Bruised face, big sunglasses. But no one said or did anything. There is a pandemic here happening in our backyard. What was modelled to me was a toxic relationship. Your childhood trauma wasn't your fault, but your healing is your responsibility. In order to heal, we must feel shame was something that crippled me for so many years. That poor therapist probably needed therapy after our session. All of us are longing for belonging and connection. Look up others.
You're not alone.
