Two Trauma Therapists on How Childhood Trauma Shows Up in Relationships

What if the patterns showing up in your relationships didn’t start in adulthood—but in childhood? In this episode of Trauma, Tea, and Tangents, host Hannah Guy sits down with trauma therapist Leslie Santana to unpack how childhood trauma and generational trauma shape the way we connect, attach, and respond in relationships. Together, they explore how early experiences influence attachment styles, emotional regulation, and relational patterns—and why healing isn’t about “fixing” yourself, but creating safety in your body and environment. You’ll also learn how neuroplasticity makes healing possible, no matter your past, and why slowing down is one of the most powerful tools in trauma recovery. Whether you’re navigating relationship struggles, working through unresolved trauma, or simply trying to understand yourself on a deeper level, this episode offers both insight and practical tools you can begin using today. In this episode, we cover: How childhood trauma impacts adult relationships Generational trauma and inherited patterns Attachment styles and emotional responses The role of safety in healing trauma Neuroplasticity and the brain’s ability to change Why healing is non-linear (and what that actually means) Tools for emotional regulation and somatic healing How to build a foundation for healing outside of therapy Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Trauma and Relationships 05:50 Understanding Childhood and Generational Trauma 10:45 The Role of Safety in Healing 15:02 The Importance of Slowing Down in Healing 20:13 Therapy: A Vehicle for Healing 24:20 Building Foundations for Healing Outside Therapy 28:55 The Healing Power of Social Media 30:26 Outro ✨ Want more of  Leslie Santana? Find her here: Instagram: @leslieinsession ✨ Want to work with Hannah and the trauma therapy team at Revive Therapy Services? You’ve gotta be a PA resident—check us out at revivetherapyservices.com And don’t forget to follow along on TikTok & IG: @revivetherapyservices