
This is part of the self-paced exploration on TRANSFORMING STRUGGLES INTO STRENGTHS: The Path to Post-Traumatic Growth .
Before we start...
What is one challenge you have faced that reshaped the way you see yourself or the world around you?
In moments of difficulty, what inner strengths have surprised you by emerging?
How do you currently make sense of pain or hardship in your life? Does it feel transformative, stagnant, or unresolved?
Life has a way of throwing us into uncharted waters, leaving us grasping for meaning, understanding, and hope. For many of us, trauma reshapes our reality. It disrupts our expectations, dismantles our assumptions, and often leaves behind an unrecognizable landscape. Yet, within that upheaval lies the potential for transformation—a concept psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun coined as Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG). Unlike resilience, which is about bouncing back, PTG is about expanding forward—discovering untapped strength, new perspectives, and deeper connections.
In this article, we will explore the profound dimensions of PTG, guided by the framework developed through Refugia’s course and reflection card decks. Together, we will uncover how adversity can serve as fertile ground for growth and consider how to embrace transformation in personal, relational, and communal ways.
Understanding Post-Traumatic Growth
Post-Traumatic Growth doesn’t imply that pain is necessary for growth. Rather, it highlights how individuals, when faced with profound struggle, can emerge with unexpected gifts—a greater appreciation for life, enhanced relationships, a sense of personal strength, and more. PTG often arises not in spite of trauma but because of the inner work done to integrate the experience.
Tedeschi and Calhoun’s research identifies five core dimensions of PTG, each representing a unique way growth can manifest after adversity. These dimensions include an appreciation of life, where one develops a renewed gratitude for everyday moments, and the discovery of new possibilities, where individuals find opportunities or paths they hadn’t considered before. Personal strength also emerges, as individuals realize their inner resilience and courage. Relationships deepen through greater empathy and connection, while spiritual change often leads to a search for deeper meaning, purpose, or spirituality.
While these dimensions provide a roadmap, the journey is never linear. PTG isn’t about glossing over pain or rushing to find a silver lining. It requires tending to resistance, honoring the messy middle, and allowing space for healing to unfold naturally.
The Dimensions of Growth

Appreciation of Life
An appreciation for life often emerges after trauma, when individuals find themselves attuned to the beauty and simplicity of small, everyday moments. For someone recovering from an illness, something as simple as a walk outside or sharing a meal with friends can feel profoundly meaningful. This dimension of growth is often fostered by mindfulness and curiosity, and practices like daily gratitude journaling can amplify this newfound awareness. When we slow down and truly notice what’s around us, we open ourselves to the wonder that exists in even the smallest of moments.
New Possibilities
Trauma also has the power to disrupt the expected, creating space for new possibilities to emerge. Someone who loses their job, for instance, might find themselves pursuing a long-held dream or exploring a new career path. This dimension of PTG often requires creativity and openness to change, as well as a willingness to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. Building a supportive network and cultivating curiosity can help individuals embrace these new opportunities, reminding us that what feels like an ending may actually be the beginning of a new chapter.
Personal Strengths
Personal strength is another dimension of PTG, revealing resilience and courage that might have previously gone unnoticed. Facing adversity often forces individuals to confront their own capabilities, leading to a deeper sense of self-confidence. A person navigating grief, for example, may discover their ability to hold space for others in pain, becoming a source of comfort and support. Reflecting on past experiences of overcoming hardship can help reinforce this sense of strength, while small daily victories serve as reminders of our capacity to endure and grow.
Relating to Others
Relationships are often profoundly impacted by trauma, with some deepening and others falling away. PTG invites individuals to lean into connections that are built on trust, compassion, and shared understanding. For someone who has experienced loss, joining a support group or engaging in volunteer work can foster meaningful relationships rooted in empathy. This dimension of growth requires vulnerability and a willingness to show up authentically, as well as practices like active listening and expressing gratitude to those who have offered support.
Spiritual change
Finally, spiritual change represents a shift in how individuals make sense of the world and their place within it. Trauma often challenges existing belief systems, prompting a search for meaning and connection to something greater. For some, this may involve exploring spirituality or reconnecting with nature, while others might find solace in meditation or creative expression. This dimension of PTG is deeply personal and can be nurtured through reflection, rituals, and time spent in awe-inspiring environments. It is an invitation to explore what brings purpose and sustains us through life’s challenges.
Tending to Resistance
Growth doesn’t mean ignoring pain or pretending to be okay. Resistance—whether in the form of fear, denial, or overwhelm—is a natural part of the process. By acknowledging resistance and meeting it with compassion, we create space for healing to unfold. When resistance arises, it can be helpful to ask: What is this resistance protecting me from? How can I honor its presence while gently moving forward? These questions remind us that growth is not about erasing pain but learning to navigate it with grace.
Supporting Growth in Others
PTG is deeply relational. When we hold space for others, we invite them to step into their own growth. This might mean listening without offering solutions, validating their emotions, or simply being present. Supporting someone through their journey of growth requires patience, empathy, and an unwavering belief in their capacity to transform. By showing up as a steady presence, we become a “lamp” in their darkness, illuminating what is possible within them.
Pagmumuni-muni/ Deeply Reflect
Reflect on one of the five dimensions of PTG. How has it shown up in your life, and how might you nurture it further?
What small rituals or practices could you incorporate into your daily life to support ongoing growth?
How might you offer the gifts of empathy, presence, or inspiration to someone in your community who is navigating difficulty?
Post-Traumatic Growth isn’t about diminishing the pain we endure; it’s about honoring that pain as part of our story and allowing it to become a catalyst for transformation. Through reflection, practice, and connection, we can turn the soil of struggle into fertile ground for growth. And in doing so, we don’t just heal ourselves—we contribute to a more compassionate, interconnected world.
Want to learn more about Post-Traumatic Growth?
Take the self-paced course, TRANSFORMING STRUGGLES INTO STRENGTHS: The Path to Post-Traumatic Growth and gain insights into the five dimensions of PTG along with evidence-based tools to support others on their journeys.
Download SEEDS OF RESILIENCE: 40 Guided Prompts for Post-Traumatic Growth. Engaging with these prompts offers a structured pathway to introspection, enabling individuals to recognize and celebrate their growth. For supporters, these questions can facilitate meaningful conversations, fostering deeper understanding and connection.
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