Breaking the Cycle of Intergenerational Trauma | Mariel Buqué, PhD

The Doctor's Art

It is well documented that descendants of Holocaust survivors exhibit greater levels of anxiety, depression, and vulnerability. The trauma of domestic violence can ripple through generations, with maladaptive coping mechanisms and emotional instability perpetuating subsequent cycles of trauma and dysfunction. The brutal history of slavery in the United States is seen today in the form of persistent economic disparities and ongoing social injustices, affecting mental and physical health across generations. All of this, in various forms, is intergenerational trauma. Extending beyond the individual, the emotional and psychological wounds of this type of trauma embeds itself within the family lineage through behavioral patterns, emotional responses, and even biological alterations.

Our guest on this episode is Mariel Buqué, PhD, a health psychologist who specializes in helping individuals experiencing intergenerational trauma. Her book Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma (2024) reveals the invisible threads that link the past and present and highlights the necessity for healing not just individuals, but entire family systems and communities. Over the course of our conversation, Dr. Buqué shares how she draws on her experiences as an Afro-Latina immigrant from the Dominican Republic in her work, how a health psychologist connects with patients, how intergenerational traumas happen and their devastating effects on individuals, families, friends, and community members, and more.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

2:00 - What drew Dr. Buqué to the field of psychology

5:19 - What health psychology is

8:40 - What occurs in a course of treatment with a psychologist

18:30 - An overview of intergenerational trauma

28:00 - The far-reaching effects of intergenerational trauma in society and how psychology can help unload the burden

35:50 - Breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma

40:30 - The role of stigma in access to mental health care

45:10 - Dr. Buqué‘s approach to building trust with patients

48:28 - How all clinicians can better empathize and connect with their patients through trauma-informed care

Dr. Mariel Buqué is the author of Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma (2024).

Dr. Buqué can be found on Instagram at @dr.marielbuque.

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