Content warning mention of trauma; emotional abuse and shaming about "unhealth" copying mechansim
Preventing re-traumatization is a worthy goal in itself and at times is the best one can do given one’s circumstances. There is no shame in prudently waiting to explore traumatic memories until one judges that it is safe to do so—it is a necessary part of the healing process. In the words of trauma therapist Judith Herman: “This task [of establishing safety] takes precedence over all others, for no other therapeutic work can possibly succeed if safety has not been adequately secured. No other therapeutic work should even be attempted until a reasonable degree of safety has been achieved.”
— Mutual Aid, Trauma, and Resiliency by Jane Addams Collective (37%)
In a time where we went thru traumatic events, an abuser often shamed us for "unhealthy" copying mechanisms, like avoidance of triggering places. We were not yet ready to cope with the trauma, until we were at a safer place 💜
