How to Heal Deep Trauma and Break Perfectionism with Erica Bonham

What if the things holding you back perfectionism, over-responsibility, and the pressure to achieve aren't character flaws, but rather trauma responses that have become culture? As business owners and thought leaders, we often focus on the "ascending path" of growth: creating new patterns and positive self-affirmations. But what happens when that work feels hollow? My guest today, Erica Bonham, author of "Always Enough, Never Done", explains why we need to embrace the descending path of deep work the messy, necessary process of healing trauma and decolonizing the way we think about success and self-improvement. Erica, a therapist, breaks down the concepts of Big T, Little t, and even ancestral trauma, explaining how seemingly innocuous "drips" of unresolved experiences can shape our personality and culture. We also dive into the vital importance of finding a therapist who is attuned to you and why therapy should be an evolution toward equity and community. This is a must-listen if you're writing a book or building a business and realize you need to clear out the root cause of what's keeping you stuck. Inside this episode, you’ll discover: Why trauma doesn't give a shit what we know and why deep processing is required for true transformation The three categories of trauma and how perfectionism, urgency, and individualism are often trauma responses that have become cultural norms. Erica's mission to decolonize therapy by emphasizing nuance, emotional safety, and recognizing the client as the expert of their own life. Why avoidance and resentment around people-pleasing will ultimately cause harm if you don't look at the root of the issue. Resources Mentioned: Purchase Erica’s book, Always Enough, Never Done: https://a.co/d/0icARnT Erica’s Website (for signed copies, workbook, and course packages): avoscounseling.com Free Resource: 11 Polyvagal Resources and 6 Guided Meditations: 11 Embodied Practices To Get Out of Overwhelm and Back to Badass Benjamin Hardy’s book: Personality Isn’t Permanent If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Erica Bonham's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.