ABSTRACT
The beginnings of healing from traumatic events and their impact begin with safety, both physical and psychological. As easy as this may sound on the surface, it is often one of the most challenging aspects of post-trauma healing. In order for children or adults to reframe their stories of trauma, reboot the stress response back into something adaptive, and regulate emotional responses, it is imperative to feel a sense of safety. The beginnings of healing from traumatic events and their impact begin with safety, both physical and psychological. Safe environments are those in which: When there are challenges to physical safety, as in the case of poverty, abuse within the home setting, or engagement in self-harm and addiction behaviors, the barriers need to be addressed and rectified for healing to occur. Establishing inner safety through the development of social-emotional skills is the beginning of recovery.
