You Are Not Your Trauma: Uproot Unhealthy Patterns, Heal the Family Tree

by Caroline Beidler, Diana Dalles

Break the Cycle—Transform Generational Trauma into Personal Growth and Recovery

In You Are Not Your Uproot Unhealthy Patterns and Heal the Family Tree, mental health and addiction recovery expert Caroline Beidler, MSW, uncovers the profound connection between generational trauma and personal healing—and how we can rewrite our stories of pain into recovery. Through personal storytelling, insightful research, and actionable guidance, Beidler shows that while trauma may be inherited, healing can be too.

By exploring five transformative rhythms—about self-worth, compassion, courage, honesty, and grace—this book provides a clear path to lasting change. Also included are practical steps like journaling through family patterns, setting healthy boundaries, and creating self-care rituals that will help you reclaim your life with purpose and strength.

Enriched with powerful stories from Beidler’s own mother, Diana Dalles, this book offers a heartfelt and honest look at how trauma takes root across generations—and how we can finally disrupt the cycle. You Are Not Your Trauma empowers you to move beyond inherited pain, embrace personal growth, and step into a future of resilience and renewal. It is more than a book, it is an experience.

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2024

About the author

Caroline Beidler, MSW, is an author, speaker, and managing editor of Recovery.com, where she combines research and expert insight on addiction and mental health. Drawing from her own recovery journey, she is the founder of the Women's Recovery Leadership Foundation and helps others find healing through her newsletter and podcast, Circle of Chairs, which reaches thousands weekly. Caroline’s next book, When You Love Someone in Recovery, a compassionate and practical guide to understanding addiction and supporting loved ones through recovery, hits shelves April 2026. She lives in eastern Tennessee with her husband and seven-year-old twins.

Reviews

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline Beidler's "You Are Not Your Trauma" is a transformative guide that empowers readers to heal from personal and generational trauma. She offers practical steps and heartfelt insights. The inclusion of her mother's soulful interludes adds depth, making this book a relatable and inspiring journey towards breaking free from the past and embracing a healthier future. As someone who has been on a journey of self-discovery and healing, I found Beidler's approach both comforting and motivating. Highly recommended for anyone seeking healing and growth.

[Diane Paynter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is easy to read and straightforward. The life experiences are written from the heart. Telling the stories of your past is not easy, but these two ladies have done it remarkably well. You will find this book to be one you don’t want to put down, full of inspiration and one you will pick up again and again.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sat down to read just a few pages of this book and didn't look up until I was half way through. Caroline Beidler's honest, conversational tone and sharing of her own addiction and trauma mixed with her wisdom from being a licensed social worker and working with hundreds of people who have suffered trauma is the perfect recipe for a MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO HAS SUFFERED TRAUMA. I found myself nodding and recalling things my counselor and I have discussed. I felt compassion for myself and encouragement that healing is a journey. I was reminded how God is good and faithful and loves us every step of the way. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE WHO HAS STRUGGLED WITH ADDICTION OR WHO LOVES SOMEONE WHO HAS STRUGGLED.

[FRED COULTER · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate Caroline and Diana's willingness to share the unlovely experiences of their lives. Also, they shared their healing process and, through that, encouraged me to keep working through my past traumas. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to face, heal, and understand that they are not their trauma.

[Christina Dent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for anyone wanting a down-to-earth, honest and practical read on the journey through trauma and healing. Caroline’s humor and warmth give you a clear sense that there is always hope, always a future, and always love and acceptance available. No matter how hard your story has been.

[Christy Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So grateful for this book and Caroline's heart. We all have experienced some level of trauma and I am so grateful for Caroline's invitation to heal with this incredible book.