Understanding the steps for recognizing and healing war trauma
and psychological pain, is essential for helping people coming
from violent conflict and other kinds of trauma and abuse. The
multi-faceted coping strategies and defenses that vary with the
individual, can make healing a complex process. First, recognize
the signs depending on individual personality: The path of
healing focuses on putting thoughts and emotions into words in
order to be supported and validated or normalized. With the help
of a counsellor, self-awareness leads to self-acceptance which
leads to power and mastery over the trauma. Here are the steps
for connecting a current emotional reaction to the past source
of pain and trauma: 1. Identify the emotion in the current
reaction by saying, “What emotion came up in the recent
situation? Fear, anger, guilt, sadness, some other feeling?” 2.
Explore the recent reaction by saying, “Describe what was
happening when you had that feeling? What words would you use to
describe what pushed your bu