In a compelling Instagram post and video, Dr. Cecelia Baldwin, licensed therapist and trainer, is sending a vital message about trauma and healing: the patterns your body developed to survive past trauma can be unlearned, giving space for peace and safety.
“Trauma creates patterns your body used to survive,” Baldwin writes. “Patterns that protected you, kept you alive… patterns your body still thinks it needs. But your body can learn new rules.”
Baldwin, who has worked extensively with clients navigating complex trauma, stated that these survival mechanisms—often experienced as overreactions, hypersensitivity, or emotional triggers—are not signs of weakness.
They are automatic responses formed to protect you, and understanding this is the first step toward reclaiming control.
In the accompanying video, Baldwin dives deeper into the science, highlighting neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and rewire itself.
“No matter what you’ve been through, if you have a brain and a body, healing is possible,” she says. “Your body has memorized the emergency plan, but those patterns can be unlearned.”
She outlines practical approaches to retrain the nervous system: repeated experiences of safety, support, nourishment, rest, and connection. Baldwin stresses that healing isn’t about erasing pain but increasing capacity: the ability to respond calmly, think clearly, and engage with life without being trapped in automatic survival modes.
“This isn’t inspirational fluff,” Baldwin says. “It’s biology. Healing is possible, but it takes patience, self-care, and consistent practice.”
Her message resonates at a time when millions are seeking mental health resources and understanding the long-term effects of trauma. Baldwin encourages viewers to approach healing as a process of teaching the body safety, reinforcing that past experiences shape but do not dictate the future.
For those navigating trauma, her guidance is clear: healing is within reach, and with time and support, the body and mind can learn new patterns that foster resilience and peace.
