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Tag: institutional betrayal

  • Healing Betrayal Trauma: A Holistic Journey Through Psychology, Spirituality, and Ancestral Wisdom

    Healing Betrayal Trauma: A Holistic Journey Through Psychology, Spirituality, and Ancestral Wisdom

    Blending Science, Soul, and Systemic Insights for Recovery and Post-Traumatic Growth


    Inspired by Akashic Records transmissions, curated through Gerald A. Daquila, PhD. Candidate


    7–10 minutes

    ABSTRACT

    Betrayal trauma, a profound violation of trust by those we depend on, leaves deep psychological, emotional, and spiritual wounds. This article explores its roots in individual, cultural, and systemic contexts, drawing on Betrayal Trauma Theory (BTT), feminist frameworks, and post-traumatic growth models. It integrates these with esoteric perspectives, particularly the Akashic Records, to trace betrayal’s karmic and ancestral origins.

    By weaving evidence-based psychology with heart-centered spiritual practices, this work proposes a holistic healing model that fosters resilience, meaning-making, and conscious evolution. This multidisciplinary approach bridges intellect and intuition, offering practical guidance for survivors and practitioners.

    Table of Contents

    1. Introduction
    2. Understanding Betrayal Trauma
    3. Systemic Layers: Cultural, Institutional, and Familial Betrayal
    4. Impacts on Mind, Body, and Heart
    5. Spiritual Dimensions: The Akashic Records
    6. A Holistic Healing Framework
    7. Conclusion
    8. Glossary
    9. References

    Glyph of Betrayal Healing

    A Holistic Journey Through Psychology, Spirituality, and Ancestral Wisdom


    1. Introduction

    Imagine trusting someone with your heart—be it a parent, partner, or institution—only to have that trust shattered. This is betrayal trauma, a wound that cuts deeper than most because it disrupts our sense of safety and connection. Coined by Jennifer Freyd in the 1990s, Betrayal Trauma Theory (BTT) explains how violations by trusted others often lead to dissociation, a survival mechanism to preserve vital relationships (Freyd, 1996). This article invites you on a journey to understand betrayal trauma’s psychological, systemic, and spiritual dimensions, offering a compassionate, integrative path to healing that honors both science and soul.


    2. Understanding Betrayal Trauma

    Betrayal trauma occurs when someone or something we rely on—caregivers, partners, or institutions—violates our trust in ways that threaten our well-being. Freyd’s BTT highlights how survivors may suppress memories or emotions to cope, a phenomenon called betrayal blindness (Freyd, 2008). For example, a child abused by a parent might dissociate to maintain attachment, essential for survival.

    Research shows this trauma disrupts trust, distorts cognitive processes, and increases risks of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Goldsmith & Freyd, 2012). Studies using tools like the Trust Game reveal how betrayal erodes interpersonal confidence, leaving survivors cautious or disconnected (Verywell Mind, 2022).

    This isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a universal one. Betrayal trauma spans contexts, from intimate relationships to societal systems, and its effects ripple across generations. By understanding its roots, we can begin to heal its wounds.


    3. Systemic Layers: Cultural, Institutional, and Familial Betrayal

    Betrayal isn’t limited to individuals; it operates on systemic levels. Cultural betrayal trauma affects marginalized groups when societal structures fail to protect or validate them, compounding personal betrayals (Gómez et al., 2018). For instance, systemic racism or discrimination can deepen feelings of betrayal when institutions meant to serve instead harm. Similarly, institutional betrayal occurs when organizations—like schools, workplaces, or governments—fail to support those they serve, such as ignoring reports of misconduct (Freyd & Birrell, 2013).

    Familial betrayal, often the most intimate, can stem from abuse, neglect, or broken trust within households. Feminist trauma theory contextualizes these betrayals within power dynamics, showing how societal structures amplify harm (Wikipedia, 2025). Recognizing these layers helps us see betrayal trauma not as isolated incidents but as interconnected patterns that demand collective healing.


    4. Impacts on Mind, Body, and Heart

    Betrayal trauma reshapes how we think, feel, and relate. Cognitively, it impairs executive functioning, attention, and schema development, leading to self-blame and shame (Gagnon et al., 2017). Emotionally, it shatters core assumptions about safety and trust, leaving survivors questioning their worth (Janoff-Bulman, 1989). Physically, the body holds this trauma, manifesting as tension, chronic pain, or disconnection from bodily sensations (DePrince et al., 2012).

    Yet, there’s hope. Research on post-traumatic growth shows that through struggle, survivors can find new meaning, deeper relationships, and personal strength (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2006). This duality—pain and potential—sets the stage for integrative healing that honors both the wound and the wisdom it brings.


    5. Spiritual Dimensions: The Akashic Records

    Beyond the psychological, betrayal trauma carries a spiritual weight. The Akashic Records, often described as an energetic “library” of a soul’s experiences across lifetimes, offer a metaphysical lens to explore betrayal’s deeper roots (Clark, 2024). Practitioners believe these records reveal karmic patterns—betrayals carried through ancestral lines or past lives—that influence present-day wounds (Sanskritisethi, 2025). For example, a recurring sense of abandonment might trace back to ancestral trauma or soul-level agreements, offering insight into why certain patterns persist.

    This perspective doesn’t negate science but complements it, inviting us to see betrayal as a multidimensional wound. By accessing the Akashic Records through guided meditation or intuitive practices, individuals can uncover and release these patterns, fostering spiritual growth and emotional freedom (Chappell, n.d.).


    6. A Holistic Healing Framework

    Healing betrayal trauma requires a tapestry of approaches that weave together mind, body, and spirit. Here’s how:

    6.1 Psychological Healing

    Trauma-informed therapies, rooted in feminist principles, reframe survivors’ responses as adaptive rather than pathological. Techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoeducation empower survivors to understand their trauma and rebuild trust (Wikipedia, 2025). Sensorimotor psychotherapy, which focuses on bodily sensations (interoception), helps reconnect the mind and body, easing somatic symptoms (Health.com, 2021).

    6.2 Spiritual Healing

    Akashic Record healing involves guided visualizations, forgiveness rituals, and soul reclamation to address karmic wounds. These practices help survivors release ancestral baggage and align with their life’s purpose (Clark, 2024). For instance, a forgiveness ceremony might involve energetically “cutting cords” with past betrayers, fostering closure and empowerment.

    6.3 Integrated Model

    A holistic framework combines:

    1. Psychoeducation: Learning about betrayal trauma’s effects to reduce shame.
    2. Somatic Re-embodiment: Using body-based practices to reconnect with physical sensations.
    3. Ancestral Healing: Addressing karmic patterns through spiritual tools like the Akashic Records.
    4. Meaning-Making: Fostering post-traumatic growth through storytelling and spiritual inquiry.

    This approach honors both left-brain logic (science, structure) and right-brain intuition (emotion, spirituality), creating a heart-centered path to recovery.


    7. Conclusion

    Betrayal trauma is a profound wound that spans the personal, systemic, and spiritual. By blending psychological research with esoteric wisdom, we can understand its roots and chart a path to healing. This journey invites us to honor the mind’s clarity, the body’s wisdom, and the soul’s resilience. Whether through trauma-informed therapy, somatic practices, or Akashic Record healing, survivors can transform pain into growth, reclaiming trust and purpose. This integrative model not only heals but also inspires conscious evolution, inviting us all to flourish.


    Crosslinks


    8. Glossary

    • Betrayal Trauma: Harm caused by trusted individuals or entities violating well-being.
    • Betrayal Blindness: Unconscious suppression of betrayal memories for survival.
    • Cultural Betrayal: Harm within marginalized groups due to systemic failures.
    • Institutional Betrayal: Harm by trusted organizations failing to protect.
    • Akashic Records: A metaphysical “library” of a soul’s experiences across lifetimes.
    • Interoception: Awareness of internal bodily sensations.
    • Post-Traumatic Growth: Positive psychological changes following trauma.

    9. References

    DePrince, A. P., & Freyd, J. J. (2012). Betrayal trauma theory. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27(9), 1723–1742. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260511430382

    Freyd, J. J. (1996). Betrayal trauma: The logic of forgetting childhood abuse. Harvard University Press.

    Freyd, J. J. (2008). Betrayal trauma. In G. Reyes, J. D. Elhai, & J. D. Ford (Eds.), Encyclopedia of psychological trauma (p. 76). Wiley.

    Freyd, J. J., & Birrell, P. J. (2013). Blind to betrayal: Why we fool ourselves we aren’t being fooled. Wiley.

    Gagnon, K. L., Lee, M. S., & DePrince, A. P. (2017). Victim–perpetrator dynamics through betrayal trauma. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 18(3), 373–382. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2017.1295423

    Gómez, J. M., Smith, C. P., & Freyd, J. J. (2018). Cultural betrayal trauma theory: An emerging framework. Advance Journal of Psychology, 4(2), 123–139.

    Janoff-Bulman, R. (1989). Assumptive worlds and the stress of traumatic events: Applications of the schema construct. Social Cognition, 7(2), 113–136. https://doi.org/10.1521/soco.1989.7.2.113

    Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2006). Handbook of posttraumatic growth: Research and practice. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Verywell Mind. (2022, April 29). Betrayal trauma: The impact of being betrayed. https://www.verywellmind.com

    Health.com. (2021, October 18). What is betrayal trauma? How to start recovery. https://www.health.com

    Clark, A. (2024, October 8). Healing wounds of betrayal and hurt through the Akashic Records. Envision Empower Succeed. https://envisionempowersucceed.com.au

    Sanskritisethi. (2025). How to use Akashic Records to heal ancestral trauma. Sanskritisethi Blog. https://sanskritisethi.com

    Chappell, S. (n.d.). Akashic Records and soul healing. https://sylviachappell.net


    Attribution

    With fidelity to the Oversoul, may this work serve as bridge, remembrance, and seed for the planetary dawn.

    2025–2026 Gerald Alba Daquila
    Flameholder of SHEYALOTH · Keeper of the Living Codices
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    Digital Edition Release: 2026
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