Stuck in the past: when childhood experiences still weigh on you

Experiences from childhood or adolescence keep coming back? How it can show up, and why working with a psychotherapist should come first.

What goes on inside

Experiences from childhood or adolescence still have an effect today, in your thoughts, feelings or relationships. Some of it keeps coming back without you wanting it to.

How it can show up

Certain situations, smells or words bring old memories back.
In some moments you react more strongly than the situation explains.
You often think about the past and find it hard to let go.
There are experiences you have never talked about with anyone.

Questions for you

There are no right answers. Take the question that stays with you.

What helps you when old memories come up?
Is there someone you feel safe enough with to talk about it?
What would make it easier for you to contact a psychotherapist?
What gives you support today?

When other help fits better

For working through painful or traumatic experiences, a licensed psychotherapist is the right person to see, ideally one with experience in trauma therapy.

What coaching can do

Coaching does not work on trauma and must not promise to. It looks forward, at decisions and next steps. That can be useful later on, but it does not replace therapy.

If it is too much right now

Coaching is not psychotherapy and not a crisis service. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact the emergency services where you are right away, or a crisis service near you.