At Aliya Native American Program, we recognize that the impact of trauma does not end with one generation. Many Native American families carry the legacies of trauma—wounds that began with historical injustices such as forced relocation, boarding schools, cultural suppression, and systemic violence. These experiences can create a cycle of psychological trauma, substance use, and psychiatric disorders that continue to affect the mental health and wellbeing of future generations.
Understanding PTSD and Its Lasting Effects
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that develops after exposure to traumatic experiences such as violence, childhood abuse, sexual abuse, war, or a natural disaster. For Native communities, trauma exposures also include cultural loss and colonization. Common symptoms of PTSD include:
- Intrusive memories or flashbacks
- Nightmares and sleep disturbances
- Intense anxiety or depression and anxiety
- Hypervigilance and heightened stress responses
- Emotional numbness or detachment
Untreated PTSD can increase the risk of substance use disorders, anxiety disorder, and other mental health conditions. At Aliya, we provide compassionate, culturally-informed care to help trauma survivors regain a sense of safety and identity.
How Trauma Moves Through Generations
Research shows that trauma can be passed from parents to children through a process known as the intergenerational transmission of trauma. This transgenerational effect—also called the transgenerational transmission of trauma—occurs when the adverse experiences of one generation shape the mental and physical health of the next. Key mechanisms include:
- Parental behaviors such as overprotection, emotional withdrawal, or heightened fear responses
- Maternal stress and paternal trauma during pregnancy, which can alter a child’s stress hormones
- Epigenetic mechanisms, in which traumatic stress leads to changes in gene expression
Studies on maternal and paternal trauma exposures reveal that lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone imbalance, are common among both trauma survivors and their adult children. These epigenetic mechanisms—sometimes called transgenerational epigenetic changes—may increase vulnerability to depression and anxiety, substance use, and psychiatric disorders.
This pattern of intergenerational effect is not unique to Native peoples; it has been observed in the post traumatic slave syndrome among descendants of enslaved Africans and in families affected by genocide or war. But for Native Americans, centuries of collective trauma have created a unique and urgent need for culturally grounded healing.
Healing Trauma and Strengthening Families
Breaking the transmission of trauma effects requires both individual and community-based approaches. At Aliya, we combine research-based therapies with traditional healing practices to help patients recover from trauma and prevent secondary traumatization in their children and grandchildren. Our services include:
Evidence-Based Therapies
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy: A structured approach to reduce fear and avoidance by safely processing traumatic memories.
- Exposure Therapy for anxiety and traumatic stress, tailored to cultural sensitivities.
- Individual and Group Counseling focused on trauma healing, recovery from substance use, and restoring emotional balance.
Culturally-Rooted Healing
- Storytelling, ceremony, and community gatherings to honor resilience and reclaim cultural identity.
- Family-focused programming to address parental trauma and strengthen bonds between parents and children.
- Education about the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the transmission of trauma, empowering families to break harmful cycles.
Restoring Balance and Wellbeing
Healing from trauma means more than managing PTSD symptoms; it means nurturing the spirit and rebuilding connections to community and tradition. By integrating modern treatment with Native practices, Aliya helps patients process traumatic stress, recover from addiction, and create a healthier future for their children.
If you or someone you love is struggling with PTSD, childhood trauma, or the lasting transgenerational effects of historical wounds, you are not alone.
Begin Your Healing Journey Today
The path to recovery begins with understanding—and the courage to seek help. Request an appointment with Aliya Native American Program to explore treatment options for mental health and addiction, including care for trauma survivors and families affected by the intergenerational transmission of trauma. Together, we can honor the past while creating a stronger, healthier future.