This guide offers practical strategies, emotional support and insights to help adult survivors move forward with hope and confidence.
At NAPAC, we support adult survivors of childhood abuse and trauma. We know that healing is possible, but we know that it isn’t always straightforward. If you’ve ever asked yourself how to heal from trauma, you’re not alone.
Healing from childhood trauma can feel like a rollercoaster. Progress doesn’t always mean moving forward in a straight line. You might hit a plateau. You might feel like you’re going backwards. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed – it means you’re in the middle of a very real, very human healing journey.
Survivors often talk about the fatigue that comes from living with the effects of trauma. The emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion isn’t just from healing – it’s from carrying the weight of trauma every day. Feeling tired and worn down is a very real part of this experience. But it’s important to remember that this exhaustion doesn’t mean you’re broken. You are not alone, and there is support to help you through.
Therapy is a cornerstone of healing from trauma. A qualified therapist can help you unpack your experiences safely and supportively. There are different therapies for different needs – like CBT, EMDR, trauma-focused therapy and many other methodologies.
Medication may also help manage symptoms like anxiety, depression or PTSD, especially when combined with therapy. Your GP or mental health provider can help you explore what’s right for you.
At NAPAC, we offer free and confidential support calls of up to 30 minutes. We don’t provide ongoing therapy, but many survivors find these calls helpful for navigating the steps between recognising the trauma and accessing long-term support.
Healing from childhood trauma requires tending to your whole self. Here’s what that might look like:
When you’re asking how to heal from childhood trauma, it’s important to know that you don’t need to relive every memory or confront everything at once.
Start Small – Focus on one thing at a time. Healing takes time and space.
Talk When You’re Ready – Share your story when it feels safe, with someone who listens without judgment.
Feel Your Feelings – Let yourself feel sadness, anger, grief. These are valid responses to pain.
Healing from trauma isn’t about fixing something broken, because you are not broken. Your responses were natural reactions to deeply unnatural circumstances. You don’t need to be fixed – you are enough, just as you are. Healing is about finding relief, feeling better, and reclaiming your sense of peace.
If you’re navigating how to heal from trauma, or trying to understand the path of healing from childhood trauma, please know this: there is hope. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re healing in your own way, at your own pace.
At NAPAC, we’re here to walk alongside you. Our free support line is open to any adult survivor of childhood abuse. We offer a listening ear, compassion and guidance when you’re ready to take the next step.
Call us on 0808 801 0331 or email support@napac.org.uk to speak with someone who understands.
We are a very small team and it can be difficult to get through. Please try at different times rather than re-dialling repeatedly as our team dedicate time to finish each call. We offer 30 minutes of supportive listening with signposting if that is relevant to your needs, but we cannot offer on-going support or counselling.
We also offer support by email – support@napac.org.uk
NAPAC’s series of booklets for survivors and those who support them are free to download
and are also available in audio format.
The National Association For People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) © is a Registered Charity in England and Wales.
Registered Charity No. 1069802 | Company No. 3565696 | OSCR Registration No. SC049296 | Registered Office: NAPAC, Arc House, - Canopi, 82 Tanner St, London SE1 3GN | © 2025 |
