Abstract
Through my observations of my clients, I have witnessed the undeniable power of resilience, that is, the ability that humans have to adapt to, navigate, and even grow from life’s most painful events. Resilience has been described as the capacity to adapt successfully to disturbances that threaten functioning, sustainability, and future development. Therefore, resilience is not the absence of suffering but the capacity to adapt to survive in painful or unpredictable circumstances. Researchers have even argued that survival through hardship and triumph over adversity can make a survivor more focused and more feeling and, in turn, expand one’s capacity for compassion, spirituality, and creativity. The loss of stability and security allows room for growth, adaption, and evolution. The Posttraumatic Growth Model posits that in the aftermath of trauma and the return to homeostasis, development of a positive outlook on life can emerge. Chapter 10 begins with an exploration of vulnerability and shame through the lens of Shame Resilience Theory. Subsequently, the anatomy of resilience is explored through a theoretical and clinical lens. Finally, this chapter explores the emergence and impact of the Posttraumatic Growth Model and the impact this has on an individual’s intuition, internal guidance, and power.
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O’Shea Brown, G. (2021). Turning Wounds into Wisdom: Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth. In: Healing Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Essential Clinical Social Work Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61416-4_10
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