The Pregnant Elephant | A metaphor for trauma healing

"You're pregnant with an elephant".
This is a sentence I often tell my clients who are doing good therapy work but have not yet seen the "big win" in their life.

"You're still pregnant", I tell them.

What am I talking about? 
Elephants, Trauma Healing & Lasting Change:

Elephants have the longest gestation period of any mammal. They are pregnant for approx. 22 months.  And when it comes to trauma healing; to shifting neural networks, creating entirely new belief systems, and changing boundaries - it takes time.

If you try to push an elephant out before it's fully developed, it won't be okay; it'll be under developed and struggle.

It's the same with our clients.
Just like you can't push an elephant out before it's developed, it's not wise to push yourself to do/be/have something prematurely.

I find this concept to be very validating to clients engaging in trauma therapy because:

1. It validates that they are actively doing something valuable.
It may not be obvious to the naked eye, but between you and them, you see and know the inner work they are doing.

2. It takes the pressure off of the "timeline" they are expecting to be on.
Shifts and changes happen to those who stay consistent. We don't want to skip ahead though because it often causes backlash.

3. It helps them orient to what they are building and how amazing  it'll feel, over time.
Once the elephant is born, it is strong, solid and steady. And once the process of their work is more wholesome and complete, they will feel more secure. They will hold to those boundaries. They will have less flashbacks.

Does this resonate with you, therapist? 

• Do you have clients who are "pregnant with an elephant"? 

• Are you being crystal clear on your clients' treatment goals, and your role, so they can track their progress and feel secure in the process?

If you're not clear on treatment targets, if your focus is off, or if you're not confident, your clients will feel it. 

What can you do to improve our Trauma Therapy Skills and Improve Clinical Outcomes?
>Get expert consultation and deepen your skillset. When you invest in refining your skills, your clients feel it. 

>You'll be able identify their pain points with more precisions, apply appropriate interventions and.... they'll reach their therapy goals faster. 

In our Trauma Training Cohort, I support you in doing exactly this.

Grab a slot by booking a free consult call below.

Here to support your growth,

Esther