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37. Why do I have to rake over the past?
In today’s episode, we’re diving into something that comes up all the time in therapy: the resistance to looking back at the past.
Maybe you’ve thought it yourself — “Why do I have to dig up old memories? My anxiety is about the future, not the past!”
I get it. Going back can feel pointless, painful, or even terrifying. But here’s the thing — the past holds the blueprint for so many of our current struggles. In this episode, I’m breaking down why avoidance is such a key feature of PTSD, how our earliest experiences shape the way we see ourselves today, and why healing can’t really happen unless we gently revisit and process those memories.
It’s not about reliving the pain — it’s about finding the freedom on the other side of it. Let’s talk about how trauma-informed therapy helps us do exactly that.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
Why people often avoid thinking about their past — and how this shows up as part of PTSD.
How past experiences shape current anxiety, self-beliefs, and mental health.
Why healing requires revisiting the past — but only with the right support and approach.
The role of EMDR and other trauma-informed therapies in helping process painful memories safely.
That we can’t truly believe positive things about ourselves without addressing the negative beliefs we’ve carried since childhood.
Key Highlights:
The common misconception: “My anxiety is about now — why dig up the past?”
A simple breakdown of the three main components of PTSD.
Caroline’s personal story about a violin teacher’s comment and how it impacted her belief system for decades.
The importance of understanding the origin of our negative self-beliefs.
A shout-out to the bravery of clients who face their trauma head-on.
Why repeating mantras and logic-based CBT techniques can’t fully replace trauma processing.
The power of EMDR and other modalities to bring true, lasting change.
Resources Mentioned:
Contact and Feedback:
Subscribe & Stay Connected:
Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she demystifies PTSD and provides hope for recovery, showing that healing is possible with the right tools and support. Thanks for listening!
View all episodes
By Dr Caroline Lloyd
4.2
55 ratings
In today’s episode, we’re diving into something that comes up all the time in therapy: the resistance to looking back at the past.
Maybe you’ve thought it yourself — “Why do I have to dig up old memories? My anxiety is about the future, not the past!”
I get it. Going back can feel pointless, painful, or even terrifying. But here’s the thing — the past holds the blueprint for so many of our current struggles. In this episode, I’m breaking down why avoidance is such a key feature of PTSD, how our earliest experiences shape the way we see ourselves today, and why healing can’t really happen unless we gently revisit and process those memories.
It’s not about reliving the pain — it’s about finding the freedom on the other side of it. Let’s talk about how trauma-informed therapy helps us do exactly that.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
Why people often avoid thinking about their past — and how this shows up as part of PTSD.
How past experiences shape current anxiety, self-beliefs, and mental health.
Why healing requires revisiting the past — but only with the right support and approach.
The role of EMDR and other trauma-informed therapies in helping process painful memories safely.
That we can’t truly believe positive things about ourselves without addressing the negative beliefs we’ve carried since childhood.
Key Highlights:
The common misconception: “My anxiety is about now — why dig up the past?”
A simple breakdown of the three main components of PTSD.
Caroline’s personal story about a violin teacher’s comment and how it impacted her belief system for decades.
The importance of understanding the origin of our negative self-beliefs.
A shout-out to the bravery of clients who face their trauma head-on.
Why repeating mantras and logic-based CBT techniques can’t fully replace trauma processing.
The power of EMDR and other modalities to bring true, lasting change.
Resources Mentioned:
Contact and Feedback:
Subscribe & Stay Connected:
Join Dr. Caroline Lloyd as she demystifies PTSD and provides hope for recovery, showing that healing is possible with the right tools and support. Thanks for listening!
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