Relational Trauma

Relational trauma refers to psychological injury from ongoing relationships — especially those marked by dependency, power imbalance, or emotional significance — rather than from a single overwhelming event. It develops when a person’s needs for safety, attunement (emotional responsiveness), or consistency are repeatedly unmet or violated, often in early caregiving relationships but also in adult partnerships. Over time, relational trauma can shape expectations of closeness, trust, and self-worth, leading individuals to adapt in ways that preserve connection at the cost of authenticity or safety.