What Do You Say To Someone Who Shares Trauma With You?

What to Say When Someone Shares Trauma with You: A Guide to Empathetic Responses

When someone shares their trauma with you, it can be a difficult and overwhelming experience. You may feel unsure of what to say or do, and you may be worried about saying the wrong thing. However, it’s important to remember that your response can make a big difference in how the person feels.

In this blog post, we will provide you with a guide to empathetic responses for when someone shares trauma with you. We will cover four main points:

1. Validate their experience.
2. Offer support.
3. Listen without judgment.
4. Respect their boundaries.

By following these tips, you can help create a safe and supportive environment for the person who is sharing their trauma.

1. Validate their experience

One of the most important things you can do is to validate the person’s experience. This means acknowledging that what they went through was real and that it had a significant impact on their life. You can do this by saying things like:

• “I’m so sorry that you had to go through that.”
• “I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been.”
• “I believe you.”

It’s important to avoid saying things that could invalidate their experience, such as:

• “You’re being too sensitive.”
• “It’s not a big deal.”
• “You’re overreacting.”

Invalidating someone’s experience can make them feel like they are not being heard or understood. It can also make them feel like they are alone in their experience.

2. Offer support

Once you have validated the person’s experience, you can offer your support. This can be done by offering practical help, such as helping them to find resources or providing them with emotional support. You can say things like:

• “I’m here for you if you need anything.”
• “Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need to talk.”
• “I can help you find some resources that may be helpful.”

It’s important to be patient and understanding when offering support. The person may not be ready to talk about what happened right away. Give them the space and time they need to process their experience.

3. Listen without judgment

It’s important to listen to the person’s story without judgment. This means not interrupting them, not trying to change the subject, and not offering unsolicited advice. Simply listen to their story and let them know that you are there for them.

You may not understand everything that the person is saying, but it’s important to try to be empathetic and to understand their perspective. If you find yourself getting upset or triggered, take a break from listening and come back to it later.

4. Respect their boundaries

It’s important to respect the person’s boundaries. They may not be ready to talk about what happened right away. They may also not want to share all of the details of their experience. It’s important to respect their wishes and to give them the space they need.

You can say things like:

• “I’m here to listen whenever you’re ready.”
• “I understand that this is a difficult topic to talk about.”
• “I’ll give you some space if you need it.”

Summary

When someone shares trauma with you, it can be a difficult and overwhelming experience. However, it’s important