June 15th, 2026
Trauma. Our English word, “trauma,” comes from an ancient Greek word that literally translates as “wound,” “hurt,” or “defeat.” In ancient Greece, it referred strictly to physical injuries, like those sustained in battle. Over time, the meaning of the word has evolved to include emotional and psychological wounds. The girls of New Horizons House face both of these challenges.
While there are an increasing number of counseling approaches focused on resolving trauma, it is also helpful to understand and deal with trauma through the lens of character structure. The healthier the internal character, the better the prognosis for a successful resolution of the traumatic issue.
A character growth model does more than just help the girls manage symptoms; it focuses on rebuilding core beliefs, restoring agency, and fostering resilience. Post-traumatic growth focuses on 1) Personal Strength – helping girls develop a deeper reservoir of inner resilience and realizing, “I can handle this,” 2) New Possibilities – finding new paths, life goals, and interests, 3) Improved Relationships – fostering deeper empathy and stronger connections, 4) Appreciation of Life – experiencing a fundamental shift in priorities and gratitude for everyday existence, and 5) Spiritual Change – deepening a sense of meaning, purpose, and understanding of life.
The girls of NHH have had their normal life story shattered by trauma, and we aim to help them navigate their emotional and physical devastation through the acquisition of internal and external resources so they can experience a rebirth and re-entry into the world, transformed by their suffering into wiser, stronger women with a new outlook on life.
This rebirth is a result of dismantling negative worldviews or self-blame caused by their trauma, and helping them rewrite their personal life story through an empathetic and collaborative therapeutic relationship.
A helpful visual metaphor of this rebirth is called Kintsugi. Kintsugi is a centuries-old Japanese art form that takes broken pottery and repairs it using a special lacquer mixed with powdered gold. Instead of hiding the cracks, it turns something that would have been otherwise discarded into a beautiful work of art. At New Horizons House, we believe each girl is being shaped into a masterpiece, and we want them to see that every time they look in the mirror. Thank you for partnering with us in creating new life stories and masterpieces.
Dr. Steve Curtis
New Horizons House Board Member