How Past Experiences Shape Our Lives

Why do certain situations trigger such strong emotions? Katheryn Eberly, a mental health social worker and family therapist, joins me to explore how early experiences shape our beliefs, why past wounds still affect us, and how we can start to shift unhelpful patterns.

Key Takeaways

• Trauma affects how we see ourselves and respond to stress.
• "Big T" trauma stems from major events, while "little t" trauma comes from repeated distressing experiences.
• Core beliefs like "I'm not good enough" often develop in childhood.
• Emotional reactions in daily life can signal deeper unresolved experiences.
• Recognising patterns can help shift automatic responses.

Resources Mentioned

• What Happened to You? – Bruce Perry & Oprah Winfrey
• Self-compassion work by Kristin Neff
• Previous episode: “I’m Not Good Enough

Connect with Kathryn

https://restoringfamilies.com.au/

Connected Teens

https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/

Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

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Mentioned in this episode:

Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset

https://marievakakis.com.au/relationship-new-year-reset-2026/