The Power Dynamics of Trauma

The second of a three-part series on how power functions in trauma and recovery

Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash

Hey friends,

Before we dive in, I want to send a big thank you to you all—your paid subscriber support means the world to me. This series was written just for you, and I hope it deepens your understanding of how power works in trauma. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to join the conversation via the chat or message functions. Thank you again for being part of Around the Fireplace!

In my first post in this series, I introduced the idea of power and its relevance to trauma. I explained how power, in and of itself, doesn’t have moral value. Instead, its value depends on how and why it’s used.

Today, I want to explore how power operates in trauma itself. While power can be used positively in life—what I call “power-to-do”—to empower others, that’s not what happens in trauma. Instead, power is used poorly, even abusively. In my research, I refer to this as “power-over.” When power is used over someone, their agency is taken away. It might be taken away physically (as in the case of physical violence), narratively (as in a case of psychological abuse), or spiritually (as in a case where a faith leader weaponizes religion). Individuals may also be harmed in two—or even all three—of these ways.