Historical Trauma Research Paper

While learning about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), historical trauma, and Ricky Greenwald’s “Who helped you and how?” from the Child Trauma Handbook, I felt my knowledge on trauma work grow and expand.

Previously, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing was not a type of psychotherapy I was aware of. At first glance, I was able to assume the treatment involved activities relating to eye movement, but was unable to assume how this was a treatment for those facing consequences due to traumatic events. When learning more about EMDR, I was astonished at how helpful this treatment is for those facing traumatic events and even for those who are diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is interesting to me how EMDR works – especially because I would not have previously thought speaking of traumatic events and triggers one has while experiencing

Initially, I was unaware of what historical trauma is and how it worked to create lastly trauma within individuals. I assumed historical trauma would relate to the history behind someone’s trauma. “What is Historical Trauma?” opened my eyes to issues that not only individuals, but collective peoples face every day and in many different communities. Bravada Garrett-Akinsanya spoke within the video about historical trauma and spoke on a personal story of trauma for her. Within Garrett-Akinsanya’s story, she was a young girl who thought that the “colored water fountain” would provide her with Kool-Aid, not just water. She spoke of this moment as a piece of trauma that she remembered to this day. When Garrett-Akinsanya told this story, goosebumps appeared on my arms and I could not help but feel horrible for her trauma that stemmed from historical trauma. Historical trauma affects an individual’s cognitions, behaviors and perceptions