Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to stressful or traumatic experiences that occur during childhood, youth, and adolescence. Research consistently shows that most people experience at least one ACE — often without realizing the lasting impact it may have on their emotional, physical, and relational well-being.
ACEs can take many forms, including:
Types of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Interpersonal trauma
This includes childhood physical or emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or witnessing intimate partner violence in the home.
External trauma
Experiences such as exposure to war, surviving crime, the death of a loved one, or living in extreme poverty fall into this category.
Historical trauma
This refers to the loss or disconnection from culture, religion, language, land, and relationships — often experienced collectively across generations.
Systemic trauma
Systemic trauma occurs when any of the above experiences are imposed, worsened, or enabled by systems or structures — or by a lack of protection within those systems.
When Trauma Doesn’t Look Like Trauma
Many individuals who have experienced ACEs do not initially label their experiences as “traumatic,” even when those experiences caused significant pain, fear, or instability. This is especially common when adversity was normalized, minimized, or embedded in daily life.
We invite you to gently reflect on a moment from childhood that involved discomfort, fear, confusion, or emotional pain — and then to consider some of the challenges you face today.
What we often label as “problem behaviour” in adulthood is frequently a survival response that once served a purpose. Emotional regulation difficulties, anxiety, relationship struggles, burnout, or patterns of self-criticism may be rooted in earlier experiences, even if those experiences don’t seem “severe enough” on the surface.
If this resonates, know this: your responses make sense in context.
The Long-Term Impact of ACEs
ACEs can influence the developing brain and nervous system, affecting how individuals respond to stress throughout their lives. Research has linked ACEs to:
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Changes in brain architecture
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Compromised immune functioning
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Increased vulnerability to mental health challenges
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Higher risk of chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes
Unacknowledged or unsupported childhood trauma can also contribute to feelings of being “behind,” disconnected, or unsure of one’s direction. When left unaddressed, ACEs may increase the risk of intergenerational trauma, passing patterns of distress from one generation to the next.
Protective Factors: Healing Is Possible
While the impacts of ACEs can be profound, they are not destiny. Healing is possible — especially when protective factors are present.
The most powerful protective factor is a safe, supportive relationship. Other important buffers include:
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A sense of self-efficacy and agency
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Cultural identity and belonging
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Emotional self-regulation skills
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Meaning, purpose, and values
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Effective coping and problem-solving skills
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Access to supportive services
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Community connection and involvement
Resilience does not mean “toughing it out” alone. It means having support, tools, and space to heal.
How ICA Supports Healing from ACEs
At ICA Counselling & Supervision, we work from a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally responsive approach that recognizes how early experiences shape us across the lifespan.
Whether you wish to explore past experiences or focus on present-day challenges, therapy at ICA is collaborative, paced, and grounded in safety. We honour your story without forcing disclosure, and we prioritize choice, consent, and compassion in the therapeutic process.
You do not need to relive everything to heal — and you do not need to navigate this alone.
If you’re ready to explore how early experiences may be showing up in your life today, or if you’re simply seeking support to feel more grounded and connected, our team is here to walk alongside you.
Healing is not about erasing the past — it’s about building a future that feels safer, steadier, and more your own.
Lauren Treleaven
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