Honoured to receive the 2025 GHP Award for Social Justice in Trauma Therapy Advocate
This year, I was deeply honoured to receive the 2025 GHP Mental Health Award for Leading Social Justice in Trauma Therapy Advocate (Canada).
While I don’t do this work for awards or recognition, this moment feels meaningful. Over the last 11 years, I have spoken up numerous times and advocated for social justice in trauma therapy. However, the times when I failed—when I was silenced or excluded—happened far more often than those moments when I inspired change. My heart is grieving these losses, but I will continue on my path.
This award affirms the heart of my mission: to create trauma-informed, anti-oppressive healing spaces where people can reclaim their voice, reconnect with their worth, and live with greater freedom and integrity.
Why social justice matters in trauma recovery
As a non-binary immigrant and white settler living in Canada, my journey has always involved holding space for complexity—my own and that of others.
However, my story didn’t begin here. I am German, and I was 10 years old when I first learned about the atrocities Nazi Germany committed during the Holocaust. That moment changed me. It made me aware of the power I carry and the accountability I hold—not in shame, but in responsibility.
The German constitution begins with: “Die Würde des Menschen ist unantastbar“—human dignity is inviolable.
Such a small sentence—and yet it attempts to hold something immense. But how do we live and practice it?
Germany’s dark past brought me to anti-oppressive practices. My own healing journey from childhood abuse helped me sit with complexity and taught me how to take responsibility for the power I have,
Trauma recovery is political: Healing in a system of power
Over the past nearly 20 years, I’ve walked alongside individuals navigating trauma, loss, marginalization, and deep transformation. Each person has taught me something about courage, dignity, and the human spirit.
Trauma recovery is never just personal—it’s political, too.
Healing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Our nervous systems carry not just the wounds of our personal stories, but also the imprint of:
- Systemic oppression
- Intergenerational harm
- Cultural silencing
This is why I believe trauma work must also be social justice work.
What social justice in trauma therapy looks like
To me, integrating social justice in trauma counselling means:
- Naming power dynamics
- Holding space for racialized and marginalized voices
- Challenging the impact of colonization in our healing spaces
- Creating practices rooted in consent, dignity, and empowerment
I don’t have all the answers. But I remain committed to learning, unlearning, and showing up with humility.
This award belongs to many.
This award isn’t mine alone.
The wisdom of social justice in trauma therapy belongs to the world. The answers are already out there—if we slow down long enough to truly hear them.
It belongs to the clients who’ve trusted me with their stories.
It belongs to the Indigenous folks I’ve met on my journey in Canada who welcomed me into their spaces.
It belongs to the street children in India, where I led workshops on trauma healing with Street Heroes of India.
It belongs to the queer community, and to the trans and gender diverse community I belong to—those who supported me in becoming who I am.
It belongs to the mentors, community members, and activists who’ve shaped my understanding of justice and healing.
It belongs to my teachers in Spain who expanded my perspective on power and how to be with diversity respectfully.
And it belongs to the change makers in the field who continue to push for safer, braver, and more inclusive spaces.
A call for social justice in trauma therapy
I am aware that, as part of the counselling and coaching field, I am also part of industries that still perpetuate harm to intentionally marginalized communities. I am aware that my role carries significant responsibility.
There will be a time when my professions truly commit to integrating anti-oppressive practices.
I hope we will decolonize our industry and evolve it into something more just and humane.
And I hope the world we build will be more equitable for future generations, for my community and any community targeted by oppression.
I hope that we find a way to share this world respectfully, without misuse of power.
If you’re reading this and resonating with it, thank you for being part of this ongoing journey.
With gratitude and hope,
Natalie
