Integenerational Trauma - Claudia Chakar

Finding Sanctuary

Finding Sanctuary
Integenerational Trauma - Claudia Chakar
Sep 09, 2025 Episode 48
HSH Initiative

Claudia Chakar has spent over 20 years helping Australian families untangle intergenerational trauma and build stronger connections. As a clinical psychotherapist specialising in family and couples therapy, Claudia understands that healing often means examining family patterns passed down through generations. 

Her trauma-informed approach has made her a respected voice in mental health circles, particularly within Lebanon's Australian community where cultural sensitivity meets psychological expertise.


Key Takeaways:

  • Invisible Wounds: Intergenerational trauma can travel unnoticed through family lines, manifesting in modern-day conflicts and psychological disorders.
  • Importance of Therapy: Professional help is crucial for individuals and families to heal from trauma and learn adaptive coping mechanisms.
  • Community Involvement: Healing from intergenerational trauma requires a collective response from institutions, communities, and individuals.
  • Role of Empathy: Empathy and understanding are essential to facilitate healing and overcome the stigma associated with mental health issues.
  • Breaking the Cycle: Addressing trauma is imperative not only for individual health but also to prevent the continuation of trauma into future generations.

Notable Quotes:

  • "You do not have to live by the story of what happened to you because you deserve to live a life of the highest potential." – Claudia Chakar
  • "Trauma needs a lot of empathy. It needs empathy to heal and recover." – Claudia Chakar
  • "Intergenerational trauma really needs a community response, not just a family response or an individual response." – Claudia Chakar
  • "We know a lot more now… we need to act differently." – Claudia Chakar
  • "Suffering in silence doesn't serve anybody any good." – Claudia Chakar


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