Session Description

As counselors, we often meet clients whose challenges with substance use are rooted in more than their personal experiences—they’re carrying the weight of generations and unresolved trauma. This session will explore the impact of intergenerational trauma on addiction, with a focus on how these patterns manifest in clinical settings. Participants will gain insight into the psychological, cultural, and familial mechanisms that perpetuate cycles of addiction and trauma across generations. Designed for both practicing counselors and counseling students, this presentation will offer a foundational understanding of the transmission of trauma across generations and highlight its role in substance use. Attendees will learn how to identify intergenerational trauma, build trust with clients carrying inherited wounds, and apply trauma-informed strategies to support healing and recovery. Through case examples, interactive dialogue, and practical tools, participants will enhance their ability to advocate, foster resilience, and support clients on a path toward breaking the cycle.