the journey of healing

The Journey of Healing

For the Body, Mind, Soul, and Spirit

January 28, 2024

His mercies are new every morning.

Courtesy of the Bible App

July 1, 2023

A new season.

I can't believe that's it's been almost a year since I posted. Ironically, I saw my last post and it was about rest and that's what I've been doing this past year.  Physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually...I was called to rest in a lot of different ways.  Each served me differently and changed me in the best way

What are some ways that you've embraced rest over the past year, or maybe even recently?  Has it looked like taking a nap instead of fighting it when you're physically exhausted, seeking out a therapist when you're mentally overwhelmed, finding a faith community that feels like home, creating boundaries in your family or friend circle?  Whatever avenue you've taken or plan to take depends on how you want to walk through life.  I support you in whatever that looks like for you.  I'm still walking through different phases of rest and I'm learning to embrace every moment of it along the way.  

July 17, 2022

Encouraging you to rest.

February 26, 2022

Hope is always fulfilled by god.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

This verse seems to be one many turn to in tough times. We want to cling to the words God says; cling to His gracious promises. This verse declares that the Lord wants to give us peace and prosper us, give us a future and a hope. This is good news no matter what it seems at the moment, God has not forgotten His people. He has ordered our steps and has our best interest at heart. He has plans.  That means they are well thought out and for our good.  The authority of His word goes forth for the fulfillment of its purpose, and this purpose was given to us  the day we were born.

January 19, 2022

Take things slow.

Today, I encourage you to take it slow.  Give yourself grace in the midst of your hurried pace.  Grant yourself a bit of margin in your every day.  In what areas is God calling you to embrace this unhurried pace?  What would a season of slow look and feel like to you? 

July 17, 2021

God calls us to community.

Today I spent time with some lovely ladies who have a passion to write and share their words with the world. I'm grateful to have such a wonderful, supportive community, yet I realize many cannot say the same.  I know that friendships can be hard and the older we get, the harder it seems we're able to find those authentic relationships.  But God calls us to fellowship because He knows we need one another as we move through life with all its ups and downs. 

May 30, 2021

5 weeks of encouragement - week five.

Today is full of grace, so I want you to take hold of it and don’t let it go.  It’s that kindness that exudes from someone and you wonder where they got it.  Well, they got it from someone like you who gave it liberally.  They were in a place to receive it and then give it right back out again.  So, today, I ask you to receive the grace someone wants to give.  You don’t have to earn it, it’s just given.  It’s from the heart of someone that just wants to be compassionate and benevolent.  You can also show grace to another, because I can tell you from experience, we all need it at times, I know I do.  

The 6 Steps of Healing You Need to Know

How to reset to wellness..

Posted April 21, 2015 | Reviewed by Jessica Schrader

• What Is Denial?
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When I learned I had bipolar disorder (BD), my shrink (he quickly became my ex-shrink—I’ve fired a few of them) said BD was “just like diabetes.” You know that whole “it’s like any other medical illness and that’s why you take medication for it.”

I heartily agree there are biological factors involved with mental illness and the medication I take has been a godsend. But it’s not, and I repeat it’s not like having diabetes or any illness that is considered physical. A psychiatric disorder diagnosis is different. The illness attacks the body and mind, but more particularly the sense of self. I'm sure some physical illnesses affect a person's identity and confidence as well. But there is something that is particularly cutting about the stigma of mental illness.

My old identity shattered. Who am I if I have a mental disorder? If I’ve been in the psych ward? If I’ve had psychotic episodes? If I’ve been committed? Tied to a gurney? Take psychiatric medication? The most devastating obstacle was the damage the stigma wreaked on my psyche. Ironically, external barriers such as stereotypical ‘red tape’ and material losses were the easiest to overcome.

However, as much as I believe there are differences in being diagnosed with a mental illness, what I've come to realize is that any severe or chronic illness ravages our sense of confidence in how we will manage in the world and what life actually means.

Take any traumatic event: a suicide attempt, a diagnosis of cancer; whether the event is mental or physical, it doesn't matter. As healing begins, several stages start to occur. Each happen at varying rates and depths unique to the person undergoing the crisis. No right or wrong, but a healing pattern unique as a fingerprint. I say healing, because this is not about cure, but about creating wholeness not health; creating meaning so that the wounds of our illness no longer pain us, but become part of our living narrative enriching ourselves and those around us.

This six-stage healing process is one I discovered as I’ve gone (and continue to go) through recovery and what I’ve seen in others. Although described as a sequential process, it’s more accurately pictured as a woven tapestry. When one part of the tapestry is restored, all aspects of the piece shifts and improves.

1. Acceptance. Denial of the illness is the greatest barrier; acceptance, the greatest liberator. When we start, albeit slowly perhaps, to accept our illness, mental illness or otherwise, only then can healing begin. Often the longest leg and biggest barrier in the road to recovery is the journey to acceptance.

The process of acceptance is similar to the joke: how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Bit by small digestible bit, denial is eventually erased. It took a full five years for me to accept I had psychiatric illnesses before I became willing to accept help.

2. Insight. Even the smallest degree of admission allows insight to begin. It is only then that I will notice and then have the ability to monitor details of the illness: warning signs, behaviors exacerbating mood swings, frequency of shifts.

3. Action. At each stage of insight, I can craft a plan of action to enhance recovery or take steps to enlist support to help me do so. If I see staying up late worsens my illness, I learn to turn into bed earlier. If connecting with friends helps keep me buoyant, I find ways to nurture my social ties.

4. Self-esteem. As I make positive choices, I see how those decisions and actions impact my health, rebuilding my sense of competency, self-efficacy and in turn my self-esteem. This encourages further acceptance, insight, and action.

5. Healing. When I allow myself to accept an illness I would rather not and take actions to combat it, healing is a natural by-product. Healing needs to be defined very broadly. Healing does not necessarily mean remission of symptoms, fewer stays in the hospital, or a return to the level of functioning pre-illness. It is (in my definition) the restoration of a sense of meaning, purpose, sense of self, and quality of life, despite struggles with the illness.

6. Meaning. As healing occurs, the self returns to new wholeness complete with these past new experiences and new choices. It is here meaning can unfold. Via discovery, meaning, from an otherwise painful experience, is birthed. Discovery of familial history, personal strengths, bonds of friendship , and belief systems play a pivotal role in crafting purpose. The significance an illness holds differs from person to person. Every malady emerges from unique sets of life circumstances. The distinct details from which the disorder arises shape the kind of meaning harvested.

If we accept illness, seek to understand its mechanics, importance can be derived even from our darkest hour. This isn’t to diminish or ignore the pain experienced by those of us with devastating illness and our families. On the contrary, it’s to honor struggles and celebrate the power that is retrieved. Remember, facing what is, is an act of bravery.

Wholeness and meaning are hard-won. Finding meaning isn’t dependent upon comprehending the ‘why’ or ‘what’ of it all. Paradoxically, it is as we learn to live without knowing the ‘why’s’ that peace and meaning emerge.

Life is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be lived. –Anonymous

© Victoria Maxwell. For more posts like this, sign up for my e-newsletter on my website's home page: www.victoriamaxwell.com .

Victoria Maxwell is a playwright, actor, and lecturer on her 'lived' experiences of bipolar disorder, anxiety, psychosis and recovery.

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How to Find Emotional Healing

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What Is Emotional Healing?

Tips for you as you heal.

• Finding Emotional Healing

How Do I Know If I Am Healing?

Emotional healing happens when you can acknowledge, accept, and process difficult emotions or experiences. This process looks different for everyone, but it is possible as long as you are open to releasing expectations about what the experience will be like or what it will lead to.

The reality is that you will never be the same person you were before whatever happened that you are healing from.   That can feel scary, but that can also feel incredibly freeing as you attempt to find yourself and experience post-traumatic growth.

At a Glance

After you've gone through something painful, difficult, traumatic, or life-changing, it's essential to heal your mind as much as your body. The emotional healing process takes time, and it looks different for each person. Regardless of what you are healing from, taking steps like practicing self-compassion, practicing mindfulness, caring for your body, and trying therapy can help. Let's take a closer look at why emotional healing is so important and the steps you can take to recover emotionally from life's challenges.

Emotional healing is the process of acknowledging, allowing, accepting, integrating, and processing painful life experiences and strong emotions. It may involve empathy, self-regulation , self-compassion, self-acceptance , mindfulness, and integration.

Many people have a tendency to want to control the process of emotional healing by minimizing the pain and controlling their emotions. However, this can actually inhibit the process of emotional healing.

Emotional healing takes the time that it takes—which may be longer or shorter than you expect or plan on—if you allow it to be fully acknowledged, felt, moved through, and processed.

Emotional healing will look different for everybody, but it may include emotional regulation skills , a feeling of lightness, and stronger relationships as you can be more present with yourself and your loved ones.

When Do You Need Emotional Healing?

All people will need emotional healing at some point during their lives—we all experience challenges and difficult emotions that need processing.

Some common life stressors after which people may seek emotional healing include:

• Loss of a loved one
• Abuse (including emotional, physical, and sexual)

Outside of specific events, it's also possible to experience intensifying, lingering, and seemingly unshakeable anger, sadness, or anxiety that feels like it is taking over your life. These feelings may cause a functional impairment in your day-to-day life. Emotional healing may look different if symptoms are becoming chronic.

No matter what the trigger for your difficult emotions, emotional healing is possible in all of these scenarios.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Healing

We won't sugarcoat it—emotional healing is not an easy process, but it can be incredibly rewarding for many people and help them find clarity and inspiration in life beyond whatever it is they are healing from. Here are some questions you might want to ask yourself as you embark on your healing journey.

What are you healing from? Maybe you don’t know, but you know you’d like things to be different:

• How is not healing affecting your life?
• What do you want your life to look like after you’ve healed?
• If you woke tomorrow, how would you know you had healed?
• Are you ready to heal?
• Are you willing to sit through some discomfort in service of healing?
• What will help you on your emotional healing journey?
• How has not yet healing served you?
• What can you do to make your healing journey gentle for yourself?

Mindful Moment

Need a breather? Take this free 10-minute meditation focused on finding clarity —or choose from our guided meditation library to find another one that will help you feel your best.

As you work through the healing process, here are some tips that can help:

Practice Self-Compassion

You’re not broken. It’s pretty hard to heal if you’re beating yourself up all the time. That's why showing yourself kindness and compassion can be key to your emotional healing.

Research has shown that people who practice self-compassion show more significant increases in well-being than those who don't.

Thank Yourself

Thank yourself. Yes, that’s right—thank yourself. Despite the emotional pain you’ve experienced that’s leading you on this emotional healing journey, you have made it this far. Whatever coping mechanisms you used worked for you at the time, even if they don’t work now, or weren’t the "healthiest" in the first place. 

While past coping mechanisms might not serve you now, you've made it this far. You've shown you have the strength and resolve to find new strategies that will move your forward toward healing.

Don't Go it Alone

Science shows we heal better together. Your instinct might be to go into hiding until you are "done" healing, but the reality is that your friends and family probably want to help you! Reach out to someone who feels safe.

Don’t Try to "Fix" it All at Once

Emotional healing is not simple, and whatever happened to you likely has deeper roots in you than you realized and may be affecting you in many ways. Back to being realistic: don’t expect to fix all the ways your issue or trauma has affected you all at once.

Sit Through It

This may be one of the hardest things to do. You are likely experiencing a range of deep feelings such as sadness, grief or rage. Those aren't fun emotions and it’s tempting to want to ignore them or rush through them. It will be uncomfortable, but acknowledging tough feelings is part of healing. The good news is that feelings do pass even if it doesn’t feel like they will.

Know That Progress Isn’t Linear

You may feel like you are making the best breakthroughs, and then you have a terrible day where you feel like all of your emotional healing has been undone—or that you did something wrong. If you broke a leg, you might have a bad day where you’re in pain again despite a sustained period of healing. 

Benefits of Emotional Healing

You may not like the pain that you’re in, but maybe you’re afraid to work on emotional healing because you’re afraid of what you might find in the process. This is a valid concern, but here are some of the health benefits that are associated with the positive emotions associated with healing.

• Better cardiovascular health
• Potentially longer lifespan 
• Lower cortisol (stress hormone) output
• Lower heart rate
• Less likely to develop upper respiratory infection when exposed to a common cold or flu

If you're trying to heal your emotional pain, here are some ways that you can embark on your journey to emotional healing.

Emotional healing can be incredibly rewarding but it can also be painful in the interim. You might want to consider talking to a mental health professional who is trained in working with people on emotional healing journeys every day.

They can help you heal at a pace that is appropriate for you and provide the insight you might not be able to reach on your own. 

Get Help Now

We've tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Mindfulness

When we are attempting emotional healing from something, it can be very easy to get pulled back into past events or to catastrophize what the future will be like if you don’t heal. Mindfulness practices can help you be in the present moment and see that, at this moment, you are just fine.

Journaling is often suggested—and for good reason. Research has shown that journaling may be an effective tool for building greater emotional resilience .

Allow yourself to feel the fullness of your grief, anger, pain, or loss without attaching further meaning, stories, or thoughts. This can be deeply healing and helpful in processing emotions.

Research suggests that many emotions tend to be fairly short-lived. Some last longer than others. Challenging emotions like shame , fear, disgust, boredom, and irritability tend to fade the fastest.  

This information can help emotions feel less overwhelming. When an emotion overcomes you, you can keep an eye on the clock to note how long it takes before the feeling dissipates—employing mindfulness skills in the meantime.

Notice, allow, and describe the physical sensation of the emotion moving through your body without judging it or attempting to change it. Breathe through the sensations.

You can perform exercises to ground yourself such as putting your feet on the floor, drinking a sip of water, or running cold water over your hands.

Move Your Body

As you're experiencing difficult emotions, try to move your body to help process your feelings. Move your body as it wants to move (i.e., slowly or quickly, shaking or running).

Moving the body to process stress or trauma can be seen in the animal kingdom as well. In his book "Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma," therapist Peter A. Levine notes that in the wild, an impala that escapes its predator will instinctively "shake off" the traumatic event, regaining full movement of its body.

Helpful Therapeutic Techniques

Therapeutic techniques like somatic experiencing (SE) and trauma release exercises (TRE) can help process and move trauma and emotions from within the body. SE involves becoming aware of their internal bodily sensations and bringing awareness to them. TRE consists of a person intentionally moving their body to decrease stress levels.

Get Support

Social support can also play a vital role in emotional healing. Be open to receiving support from your community. Allow yourself to be seen, supported, and cared for by friends and loved ones.

There is no finish line to cross that signifies you are fully healed! Emotional healing can sometimes be so gradual you may not even realize how much you've healed, and others may notice it before you.

Signs of emotional healing include being able to look back at a situation without being overcome by emotion, getting better at bouncing back in the face of adversity, or simply feeling a greater sense of peace.

There may be deeper and deeper levels of emotional healing to be discovered. Do your best to live in a way that honors and supports your continued journey of emotional healing. This will allow you to experience ever-expanding emotional healing that can improve your physical, emotional, and mental health, well-being, satisfaction in life, and connection to yourself and others.

Press Play for Advice On Healing From Trauma

Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast , featuring Holocaust survivor Dr. Edith Eger & daughter Dr. Marianne Engle shares how to heal from trauma and build resilience. Click below to listen now.

Follow Now : Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts

Crego A, Yela JR, Riesco-Matías P, Gómez-Martínez MÁ, Vicente-Arruebarrena A. The benefits of self-compassion in mental health professionals: A systematic review of empirical research .  Psychol Res Behav Manag . 2022;15:2599-2620. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S359382

Li F, Luo S, Mu W, et al. Effects of sources of social support and resilience on the mental health of different age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic .  BMC Psychiatry . 2021;21(1):16. doi:10.1186/s12888-020-03012-1

Babić R, Babić M, Rastović P, et al. Resilience in health and illness .  Psychiatr Danub . 2020;32(Suppl 2):226-232.

Lohner MS, Aprea C. The Resilience Journal: Exploring the potential of journal interventions to promote resilience in university students .  Front Psychol . 2021;12:702683. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.702683

Verduyn P, Lavrijsen S. Which emotions last longest and why: The role of event importance and rumination . Motiv Emot . 2015;39(1):119-127. doi:10.1007/s11031-014-9445-y

Levine P. Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma . Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

Brom D, Stokar Y, Lawi C, et al. Somatic experiencing for posttraumatic stress disorder: A randomized controlled outcome study .  J Trauma Stress . 2017;30(3):304-312. doi:10.1002/jts.22189

Berceli D, Salmon M, Bonifas R, Ndefo N. Effects of self-induced unclassified therapeutic tremors on quality of life among non-professional caregivers: A pilot study .  Glob Adv Health Med . 2014;3(5):45-48. doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.032

By Theodora Blanchfield, AMFT Theodora Blanchfield is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and mental health writer using her experiences to help others. She holds a master's degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University and is a board member of Still I Run, a non-profit for runners raising mental health awareness. Theodora has been published on sites including Women's Health, Bustle, Healthline, and more and quoted in sites including the New York Times, Shape, and Marie Claire.

Everything About The Healing Journey: 30+ Tips for Different Healing Journeys (Trauma, Grief, Weight-Loss, Heartbreak & Sexual Healing)

The Healing Journey is a psycho-spiritual process of self-discovery that allows us to develop a deeper self-awareness and understanding of the world around us.

Healing is an individual process of becoming whole again and every journey is unique.

Understand that no one’s journey has a quick fix. This is a process that takes lots of time and patience.

The 4 Stages of a Healing Journey

There are four stages of the healing journey:

Awakening  – Asking critical questions to find out “who you are”, or more correctly “What do I want?” and “Why?”. In many ways, you are becoming more construct-aware of Reality.

Healing  – The system you grew up in wasn’t healthy for your being or allowing your complete being to exist. Now you will reintegrate the parts of yourself that were left behind.

Rebirth  – You are rebuilding yourself based on what you’ve learned during your healing. You are now stronger, more whole, and have earned confidence from going through the life journey you’ve experienced.

Embodiment  – Now you have more practical wisdom that you will implement in your life and move forward with greater understanding of your Self and the World.

Why is the Healing Journey Important?

The Healing Journey is important because it brings more spiritual awareness to the individual’s life, allowing for emotional and mental growth. This journey allows you to move forward from the past, while letting the past be done with you.

By going through this journey we become more egoically mature, stronger, more whole, due to earned confidence. We also learn new ways to cope with our stresses and having a better inner point of reference to view the situations life subjects us to.

How Do I Start My Healing Journey?

Here are tips on how to start your healing journey:

Recognize The Need For Healing –  Admitting that you have a problem is always the first step. You can’t do this is you are always distracting yourself from your emotions, thoughts, and inner pain. This can be called “denial” and it’s not a strength—it’s a weaknesses. Vulnerability is strength.

Seek Support –  The healing journey is a lonely path, but it doesn’t always have to be. Talk to trusted friends, therapists, or family members.

Practice Self-Care –  You need a stable environment without negative and abuse factors in order to practice self-care. This gives your psyche a place to process any pain, both actively and passively. Take the time to take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This involves eating healthy foods, getting fresh air, adequate sleep, meditation, and so on.

Set Realistic Goals –  Don’t expect to heal overnight, you can’t rush the process. But set milestones to aim for and take pride in every step you take towards your goals.

Practice Forgiveness –  Forgive yourself for your own mistakes, you didn’t know any better anyways and that’s not your fault. You can also try forgiving others who have hurt you. This way you don’t hang onto anger and resentment that arrests your spiritual and emotional development.

Embrace Your Emotions –  It’s important that you allows yourself feel all of your emotions so you can digest and process the sadness, anger, frustration, and fear. It’s by acknowledging your emotions and allowing yourself to observe them until they naturally pass, that you process and heal.

Taking Action –  Seek help, join a support group, engage in self-care, pursue your goals, consult your inner resources, and keep moving forward while giving yourself the time to pause and process the past so you can resume moving forward.

What is the Sexual Healing Journey?

The sexual healing journey is a process aimed at overcoming the internal struggles and challenges related to one’s own sexuality. This sexual healing can help overcome traumas, insecurities, and other negative beliefs that we have tied to our sexuality, in order to attain a more fulfilling sex life.

Many times this involves healing and overcoming the internal struggles related to religious conditioning, cultural attitudes, past experiences, and external expectations. Through sexual healing you will break down these barriers and learn to embrace a healthy sexuality.

The following are tips for your sexual healing journey:

Acknowledge the trauma.  Admitting that you’ve gone through a distressing event and it has left you hurt is crucial. You can’t fix a problem until you admit that you have a problem.

Seek support.  This helps you feel less alone while also being provided much needed support to help cope with the trauma.

Practice self-care.  This involves getting sleep, eating well, exercise, and so on.

Find meaning.  By giving your suffering meaning, you are able to empower yourself by developing a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.

Learn from a trusted resource.  If you are interested in exploring your sexuality, check out the shadow play blog  here .

What Are Things You Do On Your Healing Journey?

Here are things to do on your healing journey:

Set Boundaries –  By establishing boundaries you are able to protect your emotional and spiritual well-being. This includes saying no to what doesn’t serve you, cutting off toxic people from your life, staying away from awful situations, and giving time to yourself when you need it.

Find Your Inner Strength –  All inner journeys demand perserverance and resilience. Taking the time to collect yourself and gathering your inner resources can help you face the challenges you will face on your healing journey.

Embrace gratitude.  Gratitude is how you cultivate a sense of abundance and positivity in your life. In fact, make a list of 100 things you feel make life worth living, you may be surprised at what are the things you appreciate about life.

Learn new coping skills.  Examples of coping skills for self-soothing include mindfulness, journaling, creative expression, etc.

Embrace spirituality –  By connecting to a higher power through spiritual practices help cultivate an inner sense of peace. It’s up to you to find the practices that best resonate with you.

How is Losing Weight a Healing Journey

Here are three aspects for losing weight a healing journey:

Physical Healing –  Losing weight is its own physical healing. This is because reducing weight can improve health, lower blood pressure, improve heart health, etc. On top of this, you can also improve your own body image and self-confidence, while cultivating a healthier lifestyle.

Emotional Healing –  Weight loss can also be a journey of emotional healing. This is because a lot of emotional stress can come from feeling overweight. By improving your relationship with food you will gain a better sense of self-control.

Spiritual Healing –  By holding a healthy weight you may gain a sense of inner peace, balance, and harmony. This is because you have earned an accurate assessment of how people didn’t look at you so much differently with a few pounds on you.

What is The Healing Journey Through Grief?

Grief is a very human experience that happens after a huge loss, such as the end of a relationship, the death of a loved one, or a major life change.

Understand that grieving is complicated and there is no “right” way to grieve.

It is through grieving that we work through our feelings of loss and find meaning in our losses and suffering.

The Stages of Grief

The following are the stages of grief:

These stages are not in any specific order, but they are what you can expect to experience during your healing journey through grief.

The following are tips for your healing journey through grief:

Move forward.  When the time is right, you will be reborn and your bones with be stronger than before. But don’t attempt to move forward too soon. Just because you are done with the past doesn’t mean it’s done with you. Give yourself all the time you need and be patient with yourself.

How Long Does A Healing Journey Last?

The length of a healing journey varies from person to person. Depending on how bad is the hurt, some wounds can be healed quickly while others can take months or even years. There is no definite timeline because traumas are different and inner constitutions are different.

Understand that this will not be a straightforward process. There are hormonal and chemical processes in your body that are going against you. It’s okay to have setbacks, but your healing demands you move forward and let go of what no longer serves you.

The following are factors that affect how long a healing journey lasts:

The Severity of the Wound  is one of the more significant factors that impact the length of recovery. Extreme trauma and abuse will take longer than anything closer to the “white lie” side of the betrayal spectrum.

The Type of Wound  refers to whether the damage is physical, emotional, or spiritual. Emotional wounds make you feel bad about yourself. Spiritual wounds make you feel bad about humanity and the world.

The Individual’s Support System  can help speed up the healing process depending how well integrated and prepared both you and your wounded healer are.

The Individual’s WIllingness to Heal  is the most important factor because you can’t heal until you admit that you need healing.

How To Start A Spiritual Healing Journey Within Yourself

The following are steps on how to start a spiritual healing journey within yourself:

Connect with your inner self.  This means taking time to introspect and reflect on your inner thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. You can explore these deeper parts of yourself via journaling, meditating, etc.

Explore your beliefs and values.  By exploring your beliefs and values, you can reevaluate and make the changes necessary to connect to a higher power.

Practice mindfulness.  Being present and fully in the moment helps build self-awareness and awareness of the world around you. Breathwork, meditation, and activities like this help cultivate mindfulness.

Find a spiritual practice.  By connecting to a higer power through spiritual practices help cultivate an inner sense of peace. It’s up to you to find the practices that best resonate with you.

Seek out a community.  Connecting with others is a powerful way to move forward on your spiritual healing journey. Consider communities through spiritual groups, religious institutions, and other online communities.

Let go of negativity.  Negativity prevents you from connecting with a higher power. This is why you want to practice forgiveness, focus on the positives, and release resentment.

• How Do You Start Your Healing Journey Alone After a Breakup?
• 14 Tips For A Peaceful Healing Journey from Trauma (w/ Spirituality & God)

Recommended Resources

A Light Among Shadows  is a guide to self-love and being that helps you overcome negative self-talk, instill genuine self-acceptance, and overcome self-hate and resentment by making sense of people’s level of consciousness and your spirituality.

Shadow Work for Beginners Series  helps you beat negative patterns and beliefs, integrate your shadow, heal your inner child, reclaim your projections, build emotional maturity, and take back your life by becoming whole.

Shadow Work for Relationship Series helps you heal your attachment style, navigate relationship issues, and build a healthy, mature relationship.

Advanced Shadow Work is an ongoing publication with continued in-depth insight and practical advice you won’t find anywhere else on the internet for practicing shadow work, self-awareness, inner healing, spiritual development, and more!

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The 7 Stages of Emotional Healing: A Roadmap to Peace

As a therapist and a life coach , I know that we all experience big, life-changing emotional pain eventually. Whether you’re grieving the death of a loved one, feeling heartbreak after a breakup or divorce , or grappling with the loss of a cherished dream, these experiences require emotional healing. Learning about the seven stages of emotional healing can help you understand where you are in your healing journey, and what you need to do to reclaim your inner peace and continue moving forward.  

What Are the Seven Stages of Emotional Healing? 

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to emotional healing, just like there is no “right” way to grieve after loss . But in my experience, emotional healing happens in seven stages: awareness, acceptance, processing, release, growth, integration, and transformation . We don’t move through these seven stages in a straight line, but we do pass through them all eventually on the path to healing. 

Here’s what happens at each stage:

1. Awareness

The first step in emotional healing is recognizing that you are experiencing pain, distress, or grief. At this stage, you are acknowledging the existence of your feelings and their impact on your wellbeing. Awareness is your emotional guidance system bringing your inner struggles into focus, giving you a starting point for healing.

2. Acceptance

Acceptance means embracing your emotions without judgment or resistance. It requires allowing yourself to feel what you feel, no matter how uncomfortable or painful those emotions might be. Acceptance is a crucial step in emotional healing, because when we resist our feelings, they tend to persist for longer than necessary.

3. Processing

Processing your emotions means engaging with them consciously and actively. This stage involves exploring the root causes of your distress, including any unresolved issues or past traumas. You can process your emotions through self-reflection, journaling, therapy, or conversations with trusted friends. Note that there is a difference between healthy processing and rumination . More on that later. 

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Releasing your emotions means letting go of past experiences , pent-up feelings and all of the energy they consume. This stage may involve expressing your feelings in a healthy and constructive manner, helping you free yourself from emotional burdens and make space for healing.

Difficult, painful events change us, but not necessarily for the worse. There is a phenomenon called “ post-traumatic growth ,” which means people who have passed through the seven stages of emotional healing often emerge with new wisdom, strength, and meaning that they didn’t have before. Emotional growth empowers you to make positive changes in your life based on what this difficult experience has taught you.

6. Integration

At this stage of emotional healing, you begin integrating the experience, your feelings, and the lessons learned into your daily life. For example, if you are grieving after the loss of a loved one , you may become more intentional about how you spend your time with the people who matter the most to you. Or, if you’re healing from a breakup or divorce, you may begin to show up differently in new relationships based on what you learned in your last relationship. 

7. Transformation

Transformation represents the final stage of emotional healing, where you emerge from your experiences as a stronger, more resilient person . This transformation is a fundamental shift in your emotional and mental outlook, which leads to a more adaptive approach to life. You feel healed and ready to move forward, more confident in your ability to get through hard times and maintain your wellbeing.

Is It Possible to Get “Stuck” at a Stage of Emotional Healing? 

As I’m sure you know if you are currently on a healing journey of your own, these stages don’t always progress in a smooth, linear fashion. Sometimes it feels like you are getting stuck at one stage of healing or another, or even like you’re moving backwards. This is a normal part of the healing process, but if you feel like you are fighting a losing battle with your feelings every day, that can be a sign that you would benefit from support. 

According to neuroscientist Dr. Jill Belote Taylor , emotions are supposed to be temporary experiences, only lasting about 90 seconds — unless you feed them. Our emotions take on a life of their own when we fuel them by ruminating, catastrophizing about the future, or beating ourselves up for past mistakes. These mental habits create painful thought loops that keep you feeling stuck rather than moving forward. If you’ve ever felt like you couldn’t stop thinking about your ex after a terrible breakup, you know what I mean. Working with a good therapist can help you get unstuck so you can start feeling better.

Here are some questions to ask yourself if you’re feeling stuck in your healing process:

• What is feeling unresolved for me? 
• Is there something that I need to communicate to someone to move forward? 
• Is there a part of my experience that I have been denying? 
• What thoughts, feelings, and body sensations arise when I am feeling stuck? 
• Am I having unrealistic expectations for how quickly my healing process should go? 
• Do I need assistance in discovering how to move forward ? 

How to Move Forward On Your Healing Journey

So, you know that emotional healing involves feeling and thinking. But what can you actually DO to help yourself move forward in your healing process? These are some of the action steps I share with my clients: 

• Have Empathy for Yourself

Everyone needs emotional healing at some point in their lives, so the fact that you are currently hurting just means that you’re human. It’s important to treat yourself with compassion , because judging your feelings will keep you stuck. For example, if you feel ashamed about feeling sad about a breakup, you will probably resist your sadness rather than feeling it in the way you need to in order for it to resolve. But if you treat yourself with empathy, validate your feelings, and engage in emotional self-care , that will help you move forward. 

• Move Through Your Feelings

When you’re in pain, it’s natural to try to shut your feelings down, deny your experience, or do things that numb or remove you from the pain you feel. Unfortunately, these avoidant coping strategies do not yield long term emotional healing. So, what can you do instead? Engage in mindfulness about your inner experience. Practice noticing your thoughts, feelings, and body sensations without judging or trying to change them. You can try this on your own by simply naming these things for yourself, through guided meditation or journaling, discussing your internal experience with a loved one, or with help from a therapist who is trained in mindfulness. 

• Engage in Supportive Coping

We can’t just stop engaging in unhelpful coping strategies. We need to replace them with something better, much like Indiana Jones replaces a golden idol with a sandbag to prevent the cave from collapsing. Choose supportive coping mechanisms instead. For example, you may benefit from taking a walk, engaging in your hobbies, spending time with friends and family, going to the gym, or reorganizing your space. Any positive activity that helps you regulate your emotions rather than avoiding them can be a supportive coping mechanism. 

• Regulate Your Emotions

Help yourself manage your emotions in a way that brings you back to your original state and empowers you to choose your actions. Evidence-based ways to regulate your emotions are: timed breathing (inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 4 seconds, exhaling for 8 seconds),  progressive muscle relaxation, cooling your body down with an ice cube, cold water, or cold towel, engaging in mindfulness, snuggling a pet, and more. Building a tool box for yourself of emotional regulation skills that are effective for you can help you feel your feelings and move through them in a way that leads to emotional healing.

Support with the Seven Stages of Emotional Healing

I hope this article helped you understand the stages of emotional healing and how you can move through them and reclaim your inner peace. I know that healing isn’t easy, but I also know that it is possible for you… and it’s so, so worth it.

If you would like my support along your healing journey, I would love to hear about what’s going on with you. I invite you to schedule a free consultation . 

Sincerely, 

Margot A., M.S., MFTC

Therapy Questions , Answered.

Support for your growth.

Our expert therapists have generously created an entire library of articles, activities, and podcasts to support you on your journey of growth. Please visit our “Happiness Collections” to browse our content collections, and take advantage of all the free resources we have for you. Or, if you’d like to educate yourself about the process and logistics of therapy, please help yourself to our “therapy questions” knowledge base below. It’s all for you!

Do I Need Therapy?

Wondering if your issues going to work themselves out, or is it time to talk to a professional? Here’s how to tell when it’s time for therapy.

Therapy Works, But How?

Great therapy can feel like magic, but it’s actually not. Learn how meaningful and effective therapy works .

What is Therapy Like?

What is therapy like? Learn what happens in therapy in order to feel empowered and confident.

What Kind of Therapist Do I Need?

There are many different kinds of therapists and many different types of therapy. What kind of therapist do you need? Find out!

What To Talk About in Therapy

Not sure what to talk about in therapy? Here are some tips to ensure you get the most out of your therapy sessions.

Therapy Consultation: What to Expect

How to prepare for your first therapy appointment , and learn what to expect in therapy sessions.

Coaching vs Therapy

What’s the difference between coaching and therapy? Find out which approach is right for you.

What is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the “gold-standard” of effective, evidence-based therapy. Learn about CBT.

What is Talk Therapy?

How does talking about something help you make changes? Or… does it? Learn the pros and cons of traditional talk therapy.

Why Evidence-Based Therapy Matters

Effective therapy is life-changing, but some therapy is a waste of time and money. Evidence-based therapy makes the difference.

How to Find a (Good) Therapist

Not all therapists are the same. Learn how to find a good therapist (and spot the warning signs of a bad one).

Therapy For Healthy Relationships

Working with a true relationship expert helps you learn, grow, love, and be loved. Learn about our approach to helping you build healthy relationships.

Guide to Online Therapy

Online therapy is just as effective but even easier than in person therapy. Here’s what to expect from good online therapy.

Denver Therapist

Explore your options for a Denver therapist who specializes in personal growth and healthy relationships.

How to Get a Therapist

Ready to try therapy? Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to get a therapist who is competent to help you.

Therapy Reviews

Curious to know more about what working with us is really like? Browse Growing Self reviews / “best online therapy reviews” from our clients.

How Much Does Therapy Cost?

Good therapy is priceless, but not all therapy is valuable. Learn the cost of therapy that’s affordable and effective.

Does Insurance Cover Therapy?

Yes, insurance covers therapy… but only sometimes. Learn when (and how) health insurance covers therapy , and when it doesn’t.

Help Someone Get Help

If you have a loved one who is struggling in their relationship, you can help them get help by “gifting” therapy. Here’s how…

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Losing a relationship is uniquely painful and challenging. With the right support, you can heal, grow, and move forward. Learn about our divorce and breakup recovery services.

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Time Heal: The Powerful Journey of Healing

Time heals, they say. It’s a phrase we often hear when going through difficult periods in our lives. But what does it really mean? Can time truly heal our emotional wounds and help us move forward?

When we experience pain, heartbreak, or loss, it can feel overwhelming and impossible to imagine ever feeling better again. However, as days turn into weeks and weeks into months, we may start to notice subtle changes within ourselves. The intensity of the pain begins to fade, the memories become less painful, and we slowly find ourselves able to engage with life once more.

While time alone cannot magically erase all the pain and scars from our past experiences, it does play a crucial role in the healing process. Time allows us to gain perspective on what has happened and gives us the space to process our emotions at our own pace. It offers an opportunity for personal growth and self-reflection as we learn valuable lessons from our hardships.

It’s important to note that healing is not solely dependent on the passage of time; active efforts towards healing such as therapy, support from loved ones, self-care practices, and developing coping mechanisms are also instrumental in the journey towards recovery. Time simply provides a container within which these healing processes can unfold.

While time may not be a magical cure-all for every wound we carry within us, it does have a transformative power if coupled with intentional efforts towards healing. So let’s embrace each passing day with hope and resilience knowing that time is indeed on our side when it comes to healing.

The Power of Time to Heal

When it comes to healing, time has an incredible ability to work its magic. It’s fascinating how the passing of days, weeks, and months can gradually mend our emotional wounds and bring us back to a place of wholeness. The power of time lies in its capacity to provide distance and perspective, allowing us to process our experiences and find inner peace .

One example that illustrates the healing power of time is the process of grieving after losing a loved one. In the immediate aftermath of a loss, the pain feels unbearable, as if it will never subside. But as time goes on, we start to adapt and find ways to cope with our sorrow. Memories become less painful and more cherished, allowing us to honor the person we’ve lost while still moving forward with our lives.

Another situation where time proves its effectiveness is in recovering from heartbreak. When a relationship ends, it can feel like your world has shattered into pieces. Every reminder of your former partner stings like salt on an open wound. However, as days turn into weeks and then into months, you begin to heal little by little. You gain clarity about what went wrong and learn valuable lessons for future relationships. Gradually, you rediscover your self-worth and open yourself up to new possibilities.

Time also plays a crucial role in physical healing processes. Whether it’s recovering from surgery or healing from an injury, our bodies have a remarkable ability to repair themselves over time. With each passing day, cells regenerate, scars fade away, and strength returns. It’s a testament to the innate resilience within us that allows our bodies to bounce back even when faced with adversity.

Understanding the Healing Process

When it comes to the concept of “time heals,” it can be both perplexing and bursty. We often hear this phrase when facing emotional or physical pain, but what does it really mean? How does time play a role in our healing process?

Firstly, it’s important to recognize that healing is not a linear journey. It’s a complex process that varies from person to person and depends on various factors such as the nature of the injury or trauma, individual resilience, and support systems. Time alone cannot magically erase our pain or wounds; rather, it provides us with an opportunity for growth and adaptation.

One key aspect of the healing process is allowing ourselves to experience and express our emotions. Time allows us to navigate through these emotions at our own pace, gradually processing them and gaining a deeper understanding of ourselves in the process. It’s like giving ourselves permission to grieve, reflect, and find meaning amidst turmoil.

Another crucial element is self-care. As time passes, we learn how to prioritize our well-being and take steps towards nurturing ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. This may involve seeking professional help if needed, engaging in activities that bring joy or relaxation, or connecting with supportive individuals who can offer guidance along the way.

Moreover, time provides us with an opportunity for introspection and self-reflection. It allows us to gain valuable insights into our experiences and make sense of what has happened. Through this introspection, we can identify patterns or behaviors that may hinder our healing progress and actively work towards breaking free from them.

In summary, while time alone cannot heal all wounds instantaneously, it plays an integral role in the healing process by providing space for emotional expression, fostering self-care practices, facilitating introspection and personal growth. Understanding this dynamic empowers us to embrace patience while actively participating in our own healing journey.

Embracing Grief and Loss

When it comes to the journey of healing, embracing grief and loss is an essential step. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate through these emotions. However, acknowledging and allowing ourselves to experience grief can be a powerful catalyst for healing.

• Allowing yourself to feel : Grief is not something that can be rushed or ignored. It’s important to give yourself permission to feel the pain, sadness, anger, or any other emotions that arise during this time. By honoring your feelings, you’re giving yourself the space needed to heal.
• Seeking support: You don’t have to go through grief alone. Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or professionals who can provide a listening ear and guidance during this challenging period. Support groups and therapy sessions can also offer valuable insights as you navigate through your own unique grieving process.
• Honoring memories : Embracing grief doesn’t mean forgetting about the person or thing you’ve lost. Take time to honor their memory in ways that are meaningful to you – whether it’s creating a memorial tribute, writing in a journal, or participating in activities they loved. This can help keep their spirit alive while providing comfort and solace for yourself.
• Embracing self-care : During times of grief and loss, it’s crucial to prioritize self-care practices that nourish both your mind and body. Make sure you’re getting enough rest, eating well-balanced meals, engaging in physical activity that suits your abilities, and finding activities that bring joy into your life.
• Finding meaning : While grief may initially feel like an overwhelming void, it also presents an opportunity for growth and transformation if we allow ourselves the chance to find meaning within our experiences. Reflect on how this loss has changed you as a person or what lessons it has taught you about life.

Remember that everyone’s journey through grief is unique, and there is no right or wrong way to navigate it. Embracing grief and loss takes time, patience, and self-compassion. By facing these emotions head-on, you’re taking a significant step towards healing and finding peace within yourself.

Cultivating Self-Care Practices

When it comes to healing and moving forward, one of the most crucial steps we can take is to prioritize self-care. Engaging in regular self-care practices not only helps us recharge and rejuvenate, but it also plays a significant role in our overall well-being. Here are a few examples of how we can cultivate self-care practices:

• Carving out “Me” Time : In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily hustle and overlook our own needs. However, setting aside dedicated time for ourselves is essential for maintaining balance and reducing stress. Whether it’s enjoying a bubble bath, reading a book, or simply taking a walk in nature, finding activities that bring joy and relaxation is key.
• Nurturing Healthy Relationship s: Building and nurturing healthy relationships is an integral part of self-care. Surrounding ourselves with positive influences who uplift and support us can contribute significantly to our emotional well-being. Taking the time to connect with loved ones, whether through phone calls, coffee dates, or even virtual meetups, can provide a sense of belonging and foster personal growth.
• Prioritizing Physical Health : Our physical health directly impacts our mental well-being. Incorporating regular exercise into our routine not only benefits us physically but also releases endorphins that boost mood and reduce anxiety levels. Additionally, paying attention to proper nutrition and getting enough sleep are vital components of maintaining optimal health.
• Practicing Mindfulness : Cultivating mindfulness allows us to be fully present in the moment without judgment or distraction. This practice involves being aware of our thoughts, emotions, sensations, and surroundings as they arise without feeling overwhelmed by them. By integrating mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises into our daily lives, we can enhance self-awareness and find inner peace.
• Engaging in Creative Outlets : Expressing ourselves creatively can be incredibly therapeutic and a form of self-care. Whether it’s painting, writing, dancing, or playing an instrument, engaging in artistic pursuits allows us to tap into our emotions and channel them constructively. These creative outlets serve as a means of self-expression and can be cathartic during times of healing.

Remember, cultivating self-care practices is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s essential to explore different activities and find what resonates with you personally. By prioritizing self-care, we are taking proactive steps towards nurturing our well-being and allowing time to heal.

Seeking Support from Loved Ones

When going through difficult times, seeking support from loved ones can be incredibly beneficial. Not only can they provide a listening ear, but their presence and understanding can also offer comfort and reassurance. Here are a few ways in which leaning on your loved ones can help you heal:

• Emotional Support: When we’re feeling overwhelmed by our emotions, having someone who understands and empathizes with us can make a world of difference. Simply venting about our feelings or sharing our worries with a trusted friend or family member can provide relief and help us gain perspective.
• Validation and Encouragement: Our loved ones have the power to validate our experiences and remind us that what we’re feeling is valid. Their encouragement and belief in our ability to overcome obstacles can boost our self-confidence and motivate us to keep moving forward.
• Distraction from Pain: Engaging in activities with loved ones allows us to momentarily escape from our pain or distress. Whether it’s going for a walk, watching a movie together, or simply engaging in light-hearted conversation, these moments of distraction can bring temporary relief and allow for much-needed respite.
• Practical Assistance: Sometimes, healing requires practical assistance like running errands, helping with household chores, or taking care of responsibilities that may feel overwhelming during challenging times. Loved ones often step up to lend a helping hand without hesitation.
• Sharing Wisdom and Experiences: Those closest to us have likely experienced their fair share of hardships as well. Drawing on their wisdom and learning from their own experiences can provide valuable insights into how we might navigate our own healing journey.

Remember that seeking support doesn’t mean burdening others or relying solely on them for your well-being; it means recognizing when you need assistance and reaching out when necessary. Together with the love and support of your loved ones, you’ll find solace in knowing you don’t have to face challenging times alone. Finding solace in nature is a powerful way to embrace the healing power of time. When life becomes overwhelming and emotions run high, immersing oneself in the beauty and tranquility of the natural world can offer a much-needed respite. Here are a few examples that illustrate how connecting with nature can bring comfort and aid in the process of healing:

• Walking among towering trees: There’s something incredibly calming about strolling through a lush forest or wooded area. The gentle rustling of leaves, the scent of earth, and the sight of sunlight filtering through branches all work together to create a serene atmosphere. Simply being present in this natural setting allows one to step away from worries and find solace in the simplicity and harmony of nature.
• Gazing at vast expanses: Whether it’s standing on a mountaintop, overlooking rolling hills, or sitting by the shore watching waves crash against rocks, being surrounded by vast open spaces can provide a profound sense of perspective and peace. The grandeur of nature reminds us how small our troubles may be in comparison to the immense world around us.
• Finding refuge in wildlife: Animals have an incredible ability to captivate our attention and evoke feelings of joy and wonderment. Observing birds soaring across the sky or encountering curious creatures during hikes can help divert our focus from pain or distress, allowing us to momentarily escape into their captivating world.
• Engaging in outdoor activities: Participating in physical activities like hiking, swimming, or even gardening not only gets our bodies moving but also helps clear our minds. The rhythmic motion involved in these activities can be meditative, enabling us to release pent-up emotions while enjoying the beauty that surrounds us.
• Seeking solace near water: Water has long been associated with calmness and renewal due to its soothing qualities. Whether it’s sitting beside a babbling brook or taking leisurely walks along sandy shores listening to the rhythmic ebb and flow of waves, the presence of water can have a therapeutic effect on our state of mind.

By immersing ourselves in nature and embracing its wonders, we open ourselves up to healing experiences that transcend time. The beauty of nature has a way of reminding us that life is ever-changing, and with each passing moment, we have the opportunity to let go, heal, and find solace in the world around us.

Exploring Therapeutic Techniques

When it comes to the healing power of time, there are various therapeutic techniques that can aid in the process. These techniques are designed to support individuals on their journey towards emotional and psychological well-being. Let’s delve into a few examples:

• Mindfulness Meditation: One effective technique is mindfulness meditation, which involves focusing one’s attention on the present moment without judgment. By bringing awareness to our thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations, we can cultivate a sense of calm and acceptance. Research has shown that regular practice of mindfulness meditation can reduce stress levels and improve overall mental health.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a widely used therapeutic approach that helps individuals identify negative thought patterns and replace them with more positive and constructive ones. This technique aims to change unhealthy behaviors by challenging irrational beliefs and replacing them with healthier alternatives. Through CBT, individuals learn new coping mechanisms and develop skills to manage their emotions effectively.
• Expressive Arts Therapy: This form of therapy utilizes creative outlets such as painting, music, dance, or writing as tools for self-expression and healing. Engaging in artistic activities allows individuals to explore their emotions in a non-verbal way, providing an avenue for catharsis and self-discovery. Expressive arts therapy has been found beneficial for those struggling with trauma, grief, or other emotional challenges.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a specialized therapy primarily used for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It involves rhythmic eye movements while recalling distressing memories or traumatic experiences under the guidance of a trained therapist. The goal is to reprocess these memories so that they no longer trigger intense emotional reactions or distress.
• Support Groups: Joining support groups can be immensely helpful for those seeking healing through shared experiences with others who have gone through similar situations or struggles. These groups provide a safe space for individuals to share their stories, gain support, and learn from others’ perspectives. Being part of a supportive community can foster resilience and aid in the healing process.

Remember, these are just a few examples of therapeutic techniques that can complement the natural healing power of time. Each person’s journey is unique, so it’s important to find the approach that resonates most with you. Whether it’s through mindfulness meditation, CBT, expressive arts therapy, EMDR, or joining a support group – there are various paths towards healing and growth.

Moving Forward with Resilience

In the journey of healing, it’s important to acknowledge that time alone does not guarantee healing. It’s what we do with that time that truly matters. To move forward with resilience requires a conscious effort and a commitment to self-care. Here are some examples of how we can navigate this path:

• Embracing Self-Reflection : Taking the time to reflect on our experiences, emotions, and reactions can provide valuable insights into our healing process. It allows us to uncover patterns, identify triggers, and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves.
• Cultivating Positive Habits : Engaging in activities that promote well-being can help restore balance and foster resilience. This could include practicing mindfulness or meditation, engaging in regular physical exercise, or pursuing creative outlets such as writing or painting.
• Seeking Support Systems : Surrounding ourselves with a supportive network is crucial for moving forward with resilience. Connecting with friends, family members, or even seeking professional help through therapy or support groups can provide the necessary encouragement and guidance during challenging times.
• Setting Realistic Goals : Breaking down the journey of healing into smaller achievable goals can make it more manageable and less overwhelming. Celebrating each milestone along the way helps build confidence and momentum.
• Embracing Change : Accepting that change is an inevitable part of life allows us to adapt and grow stronger in the face of adversity. By embracing change rather than resisting it, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and opportunities for personal growth.

Remember, moving forward with resilience doesn’t mean ignoring or suppressing pain; it means acknowledging it while actively working towards healing and growth. It’s about finding inner strength amidst challenges and using them as stepping stones towards a brighter future.

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• Medications

12 min read

What is an emotional healing journey and why and how to start one

Written by Courtney Barber

Published: Feb 6, 2024

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Geralyn Dexter

Many people struggle with mental health or emotional challenges. Issues like depression , trauma, loss, chronic stress, and debilitating anxiety can seem insurmountable. Research suggests that moving through a healing journey is best done by developing trusting, positive relationships, and reframing emotional burdens with a focus on the ability to respond. So, what defines a healing journey? 

In this article, we cover:

• What a healing journey is

Reasons to start an emotional healing journey

• How to start an emotional healing journey
• The stages of emotional healing

What to expect from your emotional healing journey

• How long emotional healing takes
• Getting started

What is a healing journey?

While the term healing journey has a spiritual or metaphysical context for some, here we explore the concept of the emotional healing journey in the context of emotional well-being.

An emotional healing journey is a progression from emotional distress to increased overall emotional well-being. An emotional healing journey is different from a mental health or substance use recovery journey, but it can occur at the same time as mental health or substance use recovery. 

Emotional healing may be possible for some without using clinical treatment as a mode of healing, but many benefit from mental health counseling as part of an emotional healing journey. Talk to your healthcare provider about what’s appropriate for you. 

The healing journey is a process of transformation. There may be some growing pains. (Remember that a qualified clinical therapist can help with these feelings.) At the end of the journey, we’re not who we began as. We feel more at peace, more resolved, and whole.

You can start a healing journey for many reasons. Challenges like trauma, abuse, sexual violation, chronic illness or pain, heartbreak, mental health issues, or loss can feel almost unbearable at times. Emotional trauma can bring us to a crossroads where we have to decide how to proceed, whether toward self-destruction and despair or emotional growth and healing. 

For a survivor of emotional trauma, healing can take time. During this healing process, it’s essential to be patient with yourself. Remember that everyone’s journey is unique. There will be ups and downs along the way, but each challenge is an opportunity for growth. 

A licensed mental health professional can help you navigate this journey. If you need support, talk to your healthcare provider and get information on the type of therapist you need . 

How do you start an emotional healing journey?

Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or simply seeking personal growth, embarking on an emotional healing journey can move you into deeper knowledge and understanding of yourself. An emotional healing journey is a process of finding ways to feel better, both physically and mentally. It’s like starting down a path toward personal growth and self-discovery. But where do you begin? 

The first step is to recognize that you need help. Recognizing that you’re unhappy, distressed, or burned out requires radical honesty but is a critical step toward opening your mind to positive change. Sometimes, we all need a little support and guidance from others. 

Seeking therapy or talking to a trusted healthcare provider can be a great starting point. They can provide you with strategies, tools, and resources to help you navigate your emotions and thoughts. 

What are the stages of emotional healing?

One of the most important aspects of an emotional healing journey is being honest with yourself. Take time to reflect on your emotions and thoughts. And don’t shy away from facing the difficult parts of your past. Key stages of the healing process include:

• Acceptance. Realizing that healing is needed. This starts with awareness, and it can take time.
• Self-assessment. Beginning to assess the past and how it’s impacting you today.
• Hope. Opening up to support from the right people and systems. 
• Vulnerability. As you begin therapy, journaling, meditation, or other internal work, you may feel uncomfortable feelings like sadness, grief, or anger.
• Healing. Beginning to understand which tools and skills can add health and vitality to your daily life.
• Strengthening support systems. As you do your healing work, you may release old connections and build new connections that more closely align with self-care and wellness. 

Healing isn’t just about addressing the mental and emotional aspects. It also involves taking care of your physical body. Engage in activities that make you feel good physically, such as exercising, eating nutritious food, and getting enough rest. Your mind and body are interconnected, so nurturing one positively impacts the other.

Throughout your healing journey, it’s important to build a support system. Surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you. They can include a therapist, friends, family members, or even support groups where you can share your experiences and learn from others.

Your mental healthcare provider will provide you with the tools and support you need to reinforce your unique therapy goals . Some of these tools may include mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) , dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) , positive or strength-based coping tools, or medication support. 

The work of emotional healing can feel messy at first. Sometimes, it feels worse before you start to experience the positive benefits of self-healing. 

When you’ve experienced abusive situations, assault, trauma, or dangerous encounters, the wounds can run deep. You may feel anxious, overwhelmed, and even numb at times. Have hope, though, many people have traveled a road toward mental health recovery or emotional healing and found peace after trauma, loss, or chaos. Patience and dedication to the process are important. And if you’re not in therapy, consider getting professional help if you feel overwhelmed. 

As you learn to set healthy boundaries for yourself, you create a safe emotional space where you can heal and grow. This may involve setting limits on certain relationships or situations that cause you distress. Putting your well-being first lets you truly take care of yourself. 

Your therapist will help you figure out how to create a healthy support system that supports creating a safe emotional space, setting boundaries, and practicing self-care. 

How long does emotional healing take?

You may be wondering, how long until therapy works ? Although you may want to snap your fingers and complete the process, therapy takes time to have a real impact. And if you have a mental health diagnosis, therapy outcomes, and timelines will vary depending on your level of need and the complexity of your situation. 

While you may get some relief from just a session or two, it’s more likely to take some time to develop rapport with your therapist and to work through deeper issues in therapy. Research indicates that it takes 15 to 20 sessions for about half of mental therapy clients to experience relief. And it’s normal to feel a little better or worse at different times during this process.

What can help? It’s important to find a therapist that you trust. Try to choose a clinician you feel at ease with. Research shows that the therapeutic relationship is a major factor in successful outcomes. 

Licensed providers on Klarity provide personalized treatment. Find a provider that matches your needs and preferences.

Start your healing journey

If you’re thinking of beginning an emotional healing journey, get the support you deserve. Healthcare providers, safe and trusted family and friends, and a licensed mental health therapist can, together, create a supportive safety net as you stretch, grow, and heal. 

To get started, check out Klarity to find a therapist and secure an appointment within 48 hours. The first step can be scary, but don’t let that stop you. Your new life is waiting on the other side of your healing journey. 

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.

How we reviewed this article: This article goes through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author.

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The Stages of Emotional Healing: Understanding the Journey

• Post author: ABS
• Post published: April 1, 2023
• Post category: Mental Health

Emotional healing is a complex process that takes time and patience. It involves a journey that can vary in length and intensity depending on the individual and the type of emotional trauma they are healing from. Understanding the stages of emotional healing can help individuals navigate this journey and find the support they need to heal.

Trauma and the Body

Research has shown that emotional trauma can indeed be stored in the body, leading to a variety of physical symptoms. For example, one study found that patients with chronic pain often have a history of trauma and that the pain may be related to the body’s response to the trauma. Another study found that individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have greater physical health complaints , including pain and fatigue, compared to those without PTSD.

Various techniques can help release stored trauma in the body and reduce physical symptoms. Yoga has been shown to be an effective complementary therapy for individuals with PTSD , reducing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and hyperarousal.  Meditation has also been found to be helpful in reducing symptoms of PTSD and other trauma-related disorders. Somatic therapy , which focuses on the body’s physical sensations and experiences, has also been shown to be effective in treating trauma-related symptoms.

The 5 Stages of Emotional Healing

The five stages of healing are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These stages were first introduced by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in her book “ On Death and Dying ” in 1969, and have since been applied to the process of emotional healing as well.

• Denial: In this stage, individuals may refuse to accept that they have experienced emotional trauma. They may try to push their feelings away or downplay the severity of the situation.
• Anger: Once denial fades, individuals may start to feel anger towards themselves or others for the trauma they have experienced. They may feel frustrated, helpless, and resentful.
• Bargaining: In this stage, individuals may try to negotiate with themselves or a higher power to undo the trauma they have experienced. They may seek out ways to fix or reverse the situation.
• Depression: As individuals realize that they cannot undo the trauma they have experienced, they may experience deep sadness, grief, and a sense of hopelessness.
• Acceptance: In the final stage, individuals come to accept that the trauma has happened and begin to focus on healing and moving forward.

The Process of Emotional Healing: 7 Steps

The process of emotional healing can be broken down into seven steps. These steps were first introduced by John Bradshaw, a prominent therapist and author, in his book “ Healing the Shame that Binds You .”

• Awareness : The first step in emotional healing is becoming aware of the emotional pain and trauma that needs healing. This involves recognizing the feelings and behaviors that are causing distress and identifying the source of the trauma.
• Acknowledgment : The second step is acknowledging the pain and trauma , and accepting that it is a part of one’s life. This involves admitting to oneself that there is a problem and taking responsibility for one’s own healing.
• Acceptance : The third step is accepting that healing is possible and committing to the journey. This involves letting go of any doubts or fears about the healing process and trusting that it is possible to move forward.
• Feel the Pain : The fourth step is allowing oneself to feel the pain and trauma without judgment or avoidance. This involves experiencing the emotions and sensations that come with the trauma, even if they are uncomfortable or painful.
• Grieving : The fifth step is acknowledging the losses that have come with the trauma and allowing oneself to grieve them. This involves recognizing the things that have been lost as a result of the trauma, such as trust, safety, or a sense of self, and allowing oneself to mourn these losses.
• Forgiveness: The sixth step is forgiving oneself and others for any harm caused by the trauma. This involves letting go of anger , blame, and resentment, and finding compassion and understanding for oneself and others.
• Moving Forward : The final step is making a commitment to move forward with a new sense of purpose and direction. This involves creating a vision for the future and taking steps to make that vision a reality, such as setting goals, seeking support, and engaging in activities that promote healing and growth.

Signs of Emotional Healing

• Increased Self-Awareness: As individuals move through the stages of emotional healing, they may become more self-aware , gaining a better understanding of their emotions, thought patterns, and behavior. This increased self-awareness can help individuals identify and change negative patterns, and develop greater self-acceptance and self-compassion.
• Improved Relationships: Emotional healing can have a positive impact on relationships, as individuals become better able to communicate their needs and emotions, and develop greater empathy and understanding for others. As individuals heal from past emotional wounds, they may find that their relationships become more fulfilling and positive.
• Greater Resilience: Emotional healing can help individuals develop greater resilience, or the ability to bounce back from challenges and adversity. As individuals work through past emotional trauma , they may develop greater coping skills and a stronger sense of inner strength and resilience.
• Improved Physical Health: Emotional healing can also have a positive impact on physical health, as it can reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Studies have shown that chronic stress and emotional trauma can lead to a range of physical health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders . By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, emotional healing can help prevent these negative health outcomes.

Releasing Emotional Blockages

Releasing emotional blockages is an important part of the healing process, as it can help individuals move past negative emotions and experiences that may be holding them back. Here are some techniques that can help release emotional blockages:

• Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can help individuals become more aware of their emotions and thought patterns, and develop greater self-acceptance and self-compassion. Mindfulness techniques , such as meditation, deep breathing, and body scans, can help individuals release emotional blockages and promote relaxation and stress reduction.
• Journaling: Writing about one’s emotions and experiences can be a powerful way to release emotional blockages and gain clarity and understanding. Journaling can help individuals identify patterns and triggers, and develop a greater sense of self-awareness and self-reflection.
• Therapy: Working with a therapist can help individuals identify and release emotional blockages through techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, somatic therapy, and EMDR therapy . These therapies can help individuals process past trauma, identify negative thought patterns and behaviors, and develop healthier coping skills and strategies for managing emotions.

Healing Time

The healing time for emotional trauma is highly variable and can depend on various factors such as the severity and duration of the trauma, the type of trauma, and the level of social support. While some individuals may start to experience healing within a few weeks or months, others may require years of therapy and support.

A study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that the level of social support significantly impacts the healing process . The study found that social support was positively correlated with emotional healing among survivors of interpersonal violence. Participants who reported higher levels of social support had lower levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and were more likely to report a sense of growth and resilience after their trauma.

It’s also important to note that the type of trauma can impact the healing time. Complex trauma, which involves repeated and prolonged exposure to traumatic events, can take longer to heal from than single-event trauma. Additionally, childhood trauma can have long-lasting effects on emotional well-being and may require ongoing support and therapy to address.

Ultimately, the healing time for emotional trauma varies greatly depending on the individual and the circumstances of their trauma. Seeking support from a therapist, support group, or trusted loved one can be an important step in the healing process.

Starting the Journey

Starting the journey of emotional healing can be challenging, and it is essential to acknowledge that healing is a process that requires patience and self-compassion. Here are some additional details that can help in the process:

• Seek Support : Seeking support is a crucial step in the healing journey. A licensed therapist or counselor can provide a safe space to process emotions and develop coping strategies. Support groups also provide a supportive environment where individuals can connect with others who have experienced similar traumas and share experiences.
• Practice Self-Care : Self-care is an essential aspect of emotional healing. Engaging in activities that promote relaxation and well-being can help individuals manage their emotions and reduce stress. Activities like exercise, meditation, and creative pursuits, like writing or art therapy, can help individuals process emotions and reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.
• Be Patient : Healing from emotional trauma takes time, and it is essential to be patient and compassionate with oneself. It is also important to recognize that healing is not linear and that there may be setbacks along the way. It is crucial to give oneself grace and acknowledge that healing is a process.

Emotional Reset

An emotional reset is a technique that can help individuals manage their emotions when they feel overwhelmed. One strategy for an emotional reset is deep breathing. Deep breathing involves taking slow, deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. This can help slow down the heart rate and promote relaxation. Mindfulness meditation is another technique that can be used to reset emotions.

This involves focusing on the present moment and observing one’s thoughts and feelings without judgment. Physical exercise can also be an effective way to reset emotions. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood-boosting chemicals in the brain. It can also provide a healthy outlet for pent-up emotions and reduce stress levels.

Stages of Emotional Hurt

While emotional healing involves moving through stages of healing, emotional hurt can also be broken down into stages.  The stages of emotional hurt are a framework for understanding the common emotional responses that individuals may experience after a traumatic event. These stages are often associated with the Kübler-Ross model of grief , which was originally developed to describe the stages of grief experienced by individuals who are dying or have lost a loved one.

The stages of emotional hurt may include:

• Shock : The initial response to a traumatic event may be shock, which can involve feeling numb, disoriented, or disconnected from reality.
• Denial : In this stage, individuals may struggle to accept the reality of the traumatic event and may experience feelings of disbelief or denial.
• Anger : As the reality of the situation sets in, individuals may experience intense feelings of anger or frustration. This can be directed at oneself, others, or the situation itself.
• Bargaining : In this stage, individuals may attempt to negotiate with themselves or a higher power in an attempt to change the outcome of the traumatic event.
• Depression : As the initial shock and anger wear off, individuals may experience intense feelings of sadness or depression. This can involve feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or despair.
• Testing : During this stage, individuals may begin to explore new coping strategies or seek out support from others as they try to come to terms with the traumatic event.
• Acceptance : In the final stage, individuals may begin to accept the reality of the traumatic event and start to move forward with their lives.

It is important to note that not everyone will experience all of these stages, and the order in which they are experienced may vary. Additionally, the stages of emotional hurt are not a linear process, and individuals may move back and forth between stages as they work through their emotions and heal from the trauma.

Overall, understanding the stages of emotional hurt can be a helpful tool for individuals who are struggling to cope with a traumatic event. By recognizing and working through these stages, individuals can begin to heal and move forward with their lives.

In conclusion, emotional healing is a complex and multi-step process that involves understanding and addressing emotional trauma. Emotional trauma can be stored in the body, leading to physical symptoms, but can be treated through various techniques such as yoga, meditation, and somatic therapy. The five stages of healing – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance – provide a framework for understanding the emotional journey of healing.

The stages of emotional healing can be broken down into seven steps – awareness, acknowledgment, acceptance, feeling the pain, grieving, forgiveness, and moving forward. Signs of emotional healing include increased self-awareness, improved relationships, greater resilience, and improved physical health. Releasing emotional blockages is an important aspect of the healing process that can help individuals move past emotional trauma and achieve greater well-being. Overall, emotional healing requires patience, self-awareness, and a commitment to the healing journey.

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