Psychological Safety
We all know the importance of safety when it comes to physical health, but what about psychological safety? Psychological safety is actually a critical element of early development and healing. It refers to a feeling of being safe enough to express yourself without fear of judgement or punishment. When we experience this kind of security, it helps us to feel confident in ourselves and our abilities. This kind of trust is essential for healthy relationships, both with others and with ourselves. This feeling can be developed in childhood and throughout life, enabling us to explore our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs more freely. Let’s dive into what psychological safety looks like during early development, as well as how it can be used as a tool for healing later on in life.
Psychological safety during early development
During the first few years of life, children are growing and developing rapidly in all aspects—mentally, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. In order for this growth to happen healthily and productively, children need to have a sense of emotional safety with their primary caregivers, e.g. form a secure attachment. This means that they need an environment where they feel free to express their feelings without fear or judgement by their parents or caregivers. They need to know that their emotions will be respected and validated even when they don’t make sense logically. This helps children learn how to regulate their emotional states while also learning how to trust themselves and others around them. Secure attachments also allow us to develop empathy and self-confidence—all essential skills for successful adulthood.
Psychological safety as a tool for healing
As we grow older, having experienced psychological safety earlier in life allows us to recognise it again when we experience it later on—whether that’s with friends or family members or even mental health professionals! Experiencing psychological safety with someone else can create an environment where we feel comfortable exploring our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs more deeply than we otherwise would have been able to do on our own.
How can psychological damage be repaired?
If we do not experience enough psychological safety during early development, it can lead to a variety of issues later on in life—such as low self-esteem, anxiety and depression. Thankfully, though, these issues can be addressed by re-experiencing psychological safety in a therapeutic setting. The key here is to identify any areas where you feel unsafe or unsupported in your life right now and then work on finding ways to address them. This could include learning how to set boundaries with yourself and/or others; developing better communication skills; practicing mindfulness; or working through any unresolved trauma from your past.
Psychological safety is an essential part of healthy early development but also something that can provide great healing benefits throughout life when experienced with trusted individuals. It creates an environment where you can explore your innermost thoughts without fear of judgement or punishment—helping you learn more about yourself while growing closer to those around you in the process! If you did not have enough security during you early development stages, it doesn’t mean all hope is lost—it just means that you may need some extra help getting back on track emotionally as an adult. Thankfully there are many resources out there that can help you repair any damage done due to lack of psychological safety during your childhood years. Ultimately, it’s never too late to find closure and healing! As always though, it's important that if you're trying out any new form of therapy, make sure that you do so under a appropriately trained professional who has relevant experience in the areas you are seeking support in.
We here at Therapy with Michaela offer a safe therapeutic space for treatment, please visit our website for more information.