By Stacey Hurst, LCPC, BC-DMT
You may have heard the terms “Intergenerational Trauma”-this is based on research studies of certain populations of people that have endured extreme trauma as a group/population-think Holocaust survivors. As the term implies, it is trauma that is passed down through the generations, even if a second or third generation has not directly been impacted. The events live in the rDNA as adaptive genetic modification to ensure a species survival. This idea fascinates me! Our bodies are truly amazing and will do loads of crazy things to survive including modifying our genes so that the future generations will be prepared!
In the realm of the Internal Family Systems model, there is a similar term-”Legacy Burdens”. To me, these are very similar if not identical. In some therapeutic sessions, I utilize the Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework to facilitate a “legacy unburdening”. What this means is that when I am working with a single individual, who has either directly or indirectly experienced trauma, we notice a repeated pattern within their family-this often occurs in the case of abuse. Generation after generation within a single family, members continue to behave in the same way and repeat unhealthy patterns, consciously and unconsciously.
Traditionally, and in my training, facilitating a “Legacy Unburdening” has many spiritual overlays/underpinnings that imply certain beliefs including-afterlife, souls, past lives and our ability to connect with our ancestors. There seems to be an implication that an individual would believe these tenets when pursuing an unburdening of this kind.
Through my work as a body based IFS practitioner, I have gained an awareness of the critical importance of acknowledging and respecting each individual’s unique religious and spiritual belief systems, especially when it comes to suggesting a “Legacy Unburdening”. It is paramount to ensure that my own perspectives, thoughts, feelings, and beliefs do not inadvertently influence or intrude upon my clients’ deeply personal journey of healing.
Therefore, a significant aspect of this process involves actively ensuring that individuals are empowered to draw upon their own internal wisdom and deeply held belief systems. This often involves encouraging them to connect with ancestors or other family members who may share similar legacy burdens through the lens of their own spiritual understanding. By honoring their existing framework, we create a space where their innate resources and connections can be leveraged for profound healing.
Following this careful and respectful exploration of their internal and external connections through their belief system, we then collaboratively and creatively engage with the legacy burden itself. This burden, understood as a pattern of behavior or emotional inheritance passed down through generations, is addressed holistically – visually, mentally, and physically. We work together to cultivate a therapeutic environment where these deeply ingrained patterns can be safely explored, understood, healed, and ultimately transformed, allowing for greater freedom and well-being in the present.