Find the Courage to Change and Shift from Past Trauma to Present Happiness

By Malynn Kuangparichat, Psy.D., J.D.

I came across Adlerian Psychology while a student at NYU (the Alfred Adler Institute is just a stone’s throw away from NYU in Soho!). Immediately, I found myself drawn to its encouraging, positive, and collaborative nature. Unlike some traditional approaches that can feel like a top-down “expert-patient” relationship, this method is deeply client-centered and future-oriented. Now, more than 20 years later, I’ve come full circle back to it, though I’m sure it’s always influenced me at some level in our practice.

At Chester County Well-Being, we believe this approach is a powerful tool for anyone navigating mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, or chronic stress.

How is trauma-informed therapy different?

Many people searching for support wonder, “how is trauma-informed therapy different?” While many modalities focus heavily on digging into past events, an Adlerian approach to trauma-informed therapy shifts the lens to the “here and now.” 

This is particularly effective for clients who have already built a foundational toolbox of emotional regulation and mindfulness skills, and are now ready to reprogram behaviors that no longer serve them.

A Bit of History on Alfred Adler

Alfred Adler was an Austrian physician and psychologist born in 1870 who initially collaborated with Sigmund Freud before breaking away to develop his own school of thought, which he called Individual Psychology. 

Unlike Freud, who emphasized unconscious biological drives and past trauma as the primary forces shaping human behavior, Adler believed that people are fundamentally social beings motivated by a desire for belonging, community connection, and the drive to overcome feelings of inferiority. 

He introduced the now-familiar concept of the “inferiority complex,” arguing that rather than being a weakness, the universal experience of feeling inferior actually serves as a primary motivator for personal growth and striving toward greater purpose. Central to his values was the idea of Gemeinschaftsgefühl, or “social interest” — the belief that true mental health and happiness are rooted not in self-focused achievement, but in contributing meaningfully to the broader community. 

Adler also championed a deeply democratic and egalitarian view of the therapeutic relationship, treating the client as an equal partner rather than a patient to be fixed. His forward-looking, goal-oriented philosophy asks not “what happened to you?” but “what is your behavior serving right now?”

This laid the groundwork for many modern approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Positive Psychology, and strength-based and client-centered models of care.

Understanding Your Story and Childhood Trauma

Adlerian Psychology is built on the idea that we are not merely products of our past. While we cannot control our initial circumstances or the childhood trauma we may have experienced, we can define our own stories and choose our current lifestyle.

For example, have you ever received one negative comment from someone and started to spiral into thoughts of, “I’ve let them down,” “They don’t like me,” or “I’m such a disappointment.” Then, these thoughts lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and anxiety.

In a session, a therapist holds space for you to gently identify a past experience from childhood that’s causing you to react the way you reacted. Maybe you got a “bad grade” on a report card, or you disappointed your parents when you lied about finishing your spinach. You’ve internalized this experience, and now you’re running this program in the subconscious of your mind.

And, within the Adlerian approach, you’re encouraged to let go of an old, unhelpful pattern, and replace it with behaviors that align with your new identity.

In essence, you’re reprogramming yourself so that when you encounter someone who gives you unsolicited negative feedback, you can respond in a way that stops the spiraling negative self-talk and reminds you of the person you want to be (e.g., from “I’m a disappointment” to “I’m not for everyone and that’s okay”).

The 5 Core Principles to Look Gently at Childhood Trauma Through the Lens of Trauma-Informed Therapy

It takes courage to change. Because change is uncomfortable. And it takes courage to look back into our past because it brings up all the feelings. But, remember, you don’t need to dwell in your past childhood trauma, whether it’s a small ‘t’ trauma like lying about finishing your spinach, or big T trauma like your parents getting a divorce.

When you can uncover why you’re behaving the way you’re behaving, you can move through the core principles of Adlerian Psychology to release and reprogram.

To understand how to move toward joy, we look at five core principles:

• Teleology: Every behavior has a purpose. We look at the “goal” a behavior is serving right now. Often, behaviors that began as survival mechanisms during childhood trauma persist long after the original threat is gone; therapy helps us determine if those roles are still valid today.
  
• Focus on the Here and Now: Rather than dwelling exclusively on past causes, we ask: “What is happening right now, and how can we support your current needs?”
  
• Recognizing Choice: While you had no control over the environment you were born into, you have the agency to change your approach to life today.
  
• The Anxiety of Change: Change is naturally anxiety-provoking. Sometimes, it feels “easier” to stay in distressed or unhealthy feelings simply because they are familiar and known.
  
• The Courage to Change: Adlerian therapy posits that distressed feelings shouldn’t be permanently attributed to your past. Instead, it emphasizes finding the courage to change and choosing a path toward happiness.
  

Empowering Your Path to Well-Being

At Chester County Well-Being, we integrate these Adlerian principles into a values-based approach. We believe that true mental health is rooted in social connection — shifting from “me” to “we”— and contributing to the community. By understanding your unique story, we work collaboratively to replace unhelpful patterns with constructive behaviors that allow you to empower yourself.

We’re rooted in the fundamental belief that individuals can choose peace, joy, and fulfillment, even amidst the pressures of significant responsibilities, as parents, community members, students, and leaders.

It’s Okay to Not be Okay

It’s normal to feel stress, anxiety, and overwhelm – this is a part of the human experience (and especially in our current world of disconnection and polarization). In these uncertain times, we want to support our clients to embrace:

• Accepting Imperfection: Mistakes don’t define us and that “being human means experiencing imperfection.” On the surface-level, we may know that mistakes are opportunities to learn, but we want to address the underlying emotions so we can truly embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth.
  
• Safety in Vulnerability: It’s okay to not be okay, and we don’t have to journey alone. Therapy can help.
  
• Compassion and Curiosity: As part of the healing journey, both compassion and curiosity are essential and they’re muscles that we can flex and learn to grow. We also acknowledge that progress is rarely linear.

If you’re looking for trauma-informed therapy near me that empowers you to take ownership of your self-stories and gives your life new purpose, we’re here to walk alongside you. Our goal is to help you move from simply surviving to truly thriving.

Related Resources

3 Things to Know About Psychological and Psycho-Educational Testing 

What I Learned About Self-Compassion When Starting My Own Psychology Practice

31 Powerful Journal Prompts to Reflect on Your Inner Dialogue

How to Improve Your Relationships and Emotional Well-Being With This Proven Therapy Treatment

How to Take Back Control of Your Life by Defining Your Story

3 Simple Ways to Align Your Life With Core Values For More Fulfillment

7 Effective Strategies for Overcoming Perfectionism at Work

How to Break Free From Emotionally Immature Parents and Reclaim Your Emotions

7 Expert Tips to Manage Stress and Be Kinder With Yourself in a Life Transition

*Disclaimer: The contents of this blog does not constitute a clinical relationship or replace the need for professional services.

Contact Us

Here at CCWB, we value our clients and acknowledge the courage it takes to seek professional mental health support.

Chester County Well-Being (CCWB) provides a range of mental health services to ensure we meet our community’s needs. We serve individuals, couples, and families in the Chester County area. Reach out to us here.

Our specializations include:

• AD/HD
• Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
• Work and Career issues
• Grief Counseling
• Stress Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Parenting Support
• Family Counseling
• Couples Counseling
• Addiction & Recovery

Get Teletherapy

All our clinicians provide safe and secure teletherapy sessions to anyone residing in PA. Additionally, we provide telehealth options for residents of other states, depending on the clinician. Simply head to our About Us page, and click each clinician’s “read more” tab for telehealth details.

Telepsychology services are provided by Dr. Kuangparichat to clients who reside in a state that participates in PSYPACT. Find out if your state is on the list of participating states HERE.

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About the Author

Malynn Kuangparichat, Psy.D., J.D. is founder and psychologist at Chester County Well-Being.  

She has a collaborative approach that results in highly tailored evaluations intended to meet her clients’ unique needs. She focuses on an individual’s strengths, which are integrated in the practical, personalized recommendations identified by the findings of an evaluation. 

In her free time, she enjoys running, spending time with family and friends, and getting ice cream or doughnuts from the local shops.