The Role of the Rumi in Trauma-Informed Care

As awareness of trauma-informed care has grown in recent years, it is vital to offer an authentic healing relationship as therapists, but there is another core concept that deserves more attention: helping clients become aware of and nurture their authentic self.

At the Psychotherapy Networker conference, the renowned Brené Brown spoke about her work on authenticity and shame and emphasized how critical it is to healing trauma. Her work on authenticity and shame has always spoken to me as a clinician. I firmly believe that authenticity and self-compassion are the mainstays of trauma-informed care. As a trauma therapist, my primary goal is to help clients have compassion for themselves and learn to be authentic.

Why is authenticity so essential? Without self-compassion, there can be no safety in vulnerability, and thus there can be no authenticity. And if we can't be vulnerable and authentic, we can't form meaningful connections in life. Empowering self-compassion and authenticity in individuals is the key to healing and recovery.

However, shame is a weighty burden among trauma survivors that can crush their authenticity. Trauma survivors often develop false beliefs from years of shame around their situation. They may feel that they could have prevented the trauma or that it was their fault, causing them to feel ashamed. Trauma survivors may then develop coping mechanisms such as acting a certain way or blending in to protect themselves, which makes it challenging for them to be authentic.

To become more authentic, trauma survivors need to recognize when they are not being genuine. They must learn to ask themselves if they can choose to tolerate a little vulnerability so they can be more authentic. Just noticing where they are in the process of becoming true to themselves is mindfulness, and it allows them to be present in the moment.

Rumi's teachings can be very helpful in the context of therapy. Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic who wrote about love, compassion, and the human experience. His poetry speaks to the universal human condition, and can help us understand ourselves and our emotions more deeply.

Let us journey inward, my friend,

To the depths of our own heart and mind,

Where healing begins and fears descend,

And the light of self-love we can find.

Through therapy's guiding hand,

We learn to be vulnerable and true,

To build connections and understand,

How to live a life that's bright and new.

So let us be brave and take the leap,

Into the unknown and the scary,

For with each step, we sow and reap,

A life that's full and less wary.

One of Rumi's teachings that is particularly relevant to therapy is the idea that we should embrace our emotions, rather than running away from them. In one of his poems, he writes: "The wound is the place where the light enters you." This means that our pain and suffering can actually be a source of growth and transformation, if we are willing to face it and work through it.

In therapy, this idea can be applied by encouraging clients to be open and honest about their feelings, even if they are difficult or uncomfortable. By exploring these emotions in a safe and supportive environment, clients can learn to process their experiences and develop greater self-awareness and compassion.

Another of Rumi's teachings that can be helpful in therapy is the idea of mindfulness. Rumi wrote extensively about the importance of being present in the moment, and of finding peace and clarity through meditation and contemplation.

In therapy, mindfulness techniques can be used to help clients stay grounded and focused on the present moment, rather than getting lost in worries or regrets about the past or future. Mindfulness can also help clients develop greater self-compassion and acceptance, as they learn to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment or criticism.

To sum up, as a trauma therapist, I believe that authenticity and self-compassion are essential for trauma-informed care. Trauma survivors need to cultivate the ability to tolerate vulnerability to be authentic. Being present in the moment and learning to have compassion for oneself can help them overcome shame and build meaningful connections in life. Courage means to speak one's mind by telling all one's heart, and this requires vulnerability and authenticity.

Overall, Rumi's teachings can be a valuable resource for therapists and clients alike. By incorporating these insights into therapy sessions, clients can learn to embrace their emotions, cultivate mindfulness and self-compassion, and build more meaningful and authentic connections with others.