Trauma: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

When trauma strikes, it feels like being trapped in darkness with no way out. Yet, like the Thai cave rescue, healing happens when we trust our wise self, our survivor self, and the support of others. Trauma, when faced with courage and compassion, becomes the gift that keeps on giving.

Our Founder and Executive Director, Sharon Burnett, PhD, was recently on the podcast, “Let the Journey Begin.” On it, she spoke about trauma.

Trauma as disruption without repair

On the podcast, Dr. Burnett shared a simple but profound definition of trauma: “Trauma is disruption without repair.”

Every human being has experienced moments when something broke apart — whether in relationships, safety, or trust — and no one was there to help mend it. This absence of repair leaves scars, but it also holds within it the possibility of healing.

The Thai cave rescue: A living metaphor

In 2018, the world watched as 12 young Thai boys and their soccer coach were trapped deep inside the Tham Luang cave after sudden flooding blocked their way out. For over two weeks, they lived in darkness, uncertainty, and fear. Rescue seemed impossible.
To bring them out, divers developed a daring plan. The boys, who didn’t even know how to swim, would need to dive through long, flooded passages to reach safety. One by one, each boy was fitted with diving gear and oxygen tanks. A diver swam in front, guiding him through the dark waters, while another diver followed close behind to make sure he was safe.
The rescuers told the boys, “All you have to do is breathe and trust.”
This image offers a profound metaphor for trauma healing. The diver in front is like our wise self — the part of us that can see the way forward and gently lead us through darkness. The diver behind is our survivor self — the part that makes sure we get there safely, even when fear threatens to overwhelm us. And we, like the boys, must learn to breathe, trust, and take the journey one step at a time.

The hidden gift within the pain

The “gift” of trauma isn’t in the suffering itself, but in what happens when we choose to confront it with courage, compassion, and support.

Trauma can teach us empathy. It can awaken a deeper capacity for love. It can remind us of our resilience and push us to build connections that bring true healing.

One of Dr. Burnett’s core beliefs is that we don’t heal in isolation. Just as the Thai boys needed an entire team of divers, doctors, and supporters, repair happens when others come alongside us. Healing requires community, compassion, and the reminder that we are not alone.

Trauma will always be part of our story, but it doesn’t have to define the ending. Each time we choose to face it, to speak it, and to move through it with support, we discover another gift: the ability to begin again. And that gift — of resilience, compassion, and transformation — is one that keeps unfolding throughout a lifetime.

Embarking on your journey

Where in your life do you feel like you’re still in the cave — trapped in darkness, waiting for a way out? What would it look like to trust your wise self to guide you forward, while allowing your survivor self to keep you safe? Sometimes, all you need to do is breathe, trust, and take the next step.

At West Valley Counseling Center, we believe healing begins in safe, supportive relationships. If you’re ready to begin your own journey of repair, resilience, and growth, reach out to us today.