Trauma-recovery supported journey

If something difficult has happened to you, and it still feels close even when you wish it didn't, you are not broken and you are not alone. A supported journey can help you move through it at a pace that feels safe.

What it is

A trauma-recovery supported journey is a structured, guided programme on Cleared Mind that walks you through understanding and processing a distressing or overwhelming experience, with a professional alongside you at each step. Trauma can come from a single event, like an accident, an assault, or a sudden loss, or from ongoing stress, like living with conflict or fear over time. This journey is not about reliving the worst moments on your own. It combines short psycho-educational content, grounding and stabilisation skills, gentle reflection exercises, and check-ins with a qualified counsellor, so that healing happens in a paced, supported way rather than all at once.

Signs to notice

You might benefit from this kind of journey if you notice:

• Vivid memories, flashbacks, or nightmares related to what happened.
• Feeling on edge, easily startled, or constantly watching for danger.
• Avoiding people, places, or conversations that remind you of the event.
• Numbness, disconnection, or difficulty feeling close to others.
• Trouble sleeping, concentrating, or trusting that things will be okay.
• Shame or guilt that keeps circling back, even when you know rationally it wasn't your fault.

What helps

• Start where you are. The journey is built in small, manageable steps, so you never have to "dive in" before you're ready.
• Learn grounding techniques first. Before processing what happened, you'll build tools like breathing, sensory grounding, and safe-place visualisation to help your body feel steadier.
• Go at your own pace. You can pause a module, repeat a section, or take breaks between check-ins. There is no deadline for healing.
• Keep your body in the loop. Trauma lives in the body as much as the mind, so gentle movement, regular sleep, and reducing caffeine or alcohol can support the work you're doing.
• Lean on your support system. Tell one trusted person what you're going through, even in general terms. Isolation tends to make trauma symptoms louder.
• Be patient with setbacks. Recovery isn't a straight line. A harder day doesn't mean you've lost progress.

When to reach out for help

Reach out for professional support if symptoms are lasting more than a few weeks, if they are getting in the way of work, relationships, or daily functioning, if you're using alcohol or other substances to cope, or if you are having thoughts of harming yourself. A professional can assess what you're experiencing and guide the right kind of support, whether that's this supported journey, individual counselling, or a referral for more specialised trauma therapy.

Getting help in South Africa

Cleared Mind's EAP counsellors are available to support you confidentially through this journey or through individual sessions, at no cost to you as a member. You can also contact SADAG's Mental Health Line on 011 234 4837 for support and referrals. If your trauma involves gender-based violence or abuse, the GBV Command Centre is available on 0800 428 428. You deserve support that is steady, private, and paced around you.

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If you or someone else is in immediate danger, reach out now. SADAG Suicide Crisis Helpline (24h): 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393. SAPS 10111, ambulance 10177, GBV Command Centre 0800 428 428.