Small Wins, Big Healing: The Power of Progress in Trauma Therapy
What Are Small Wins in Trauma Therapy?
When healing from trauma, it's easy to overlook the more quiet and “smaller” signs of progress. But those subtle changes—like setting a boundary or recognizing an opportunity (aka “trigger”)—are incredibly powerful and meaningful. In trauma therapy, we call these small wins, and they are the building blocks of lasting recovery.
Why Small Wins Matter in Healing Trauma
Trauma doesn’t heal all at once. The nervous system needs to slowly relearn what safety feels like and it also needs to be felt in the body. This happens through small, consistent shifts which I call micromovements such as:
Saying no without guilt
Sleeping better
Choosing rest instead of pushing through
Noticing a trauma response in the moment
Each one of these is a win. Each one counts. These actions start to make momentum and result in lasting changes.
The Science Behind Small Wins in Trauma Recovery
Small wins aren’t just emotional—they’re neurological. When you experience success, your brain releases dopamine. This reward chemical strengthens the new neural pathways you're building in therapy. Over time, this rewiring supports:
Reduced anxiety
More emotional regulation
Healthier relationships
Increased resilience
This is why progress in trauma therapy often looks and feels small—it’s working at the root level.
How to Tell If You're Making Progress in Trauma Therapy
Healing trauma isn’t always obvious and just a reminder that it’s not always linear either. If you’re wondering whether therapy is working, look for these signs:
You pause before responding to an opportunity (aka trigger)
You choose connection instead of isolation
You feel your emotions instead of numbing
You speak more kindly to yourself (Yes, I’m talking about self-compassion here)
These may not feel dramatic, but they are real signs of trauma recovery.
How to Celebrate Small Wins in Your Healing Journey
Recognizing and celebrating small wins helps reinforce healing. Here’s how to do that:
Keep a “small wins” journal
Share your progress in therapy (I get so excited about wins!)
Practice self-affirming language: “I’m learning” vs. “I failed” (Ahem, self-compassion again)
Create rituals of kindness after tough sessions (Yes, self-compassion in case you forgot)
Celebrating small wins helps your brain and body remember: I am healing.
Final Thoughts: Progress in Trauma Therapy Happens One Step at a Time
Small wins in trauma therapy are not small at all. They are proof that healing is happening—quietly, steadily, bravely. If you’ve been showing up to the work, even imperfectly, you’re making progress.
You don’t need to have a breakthrough every week. Sometimes, the most meaningful changes are the ones no one else sees.
And those? Those are worth celebrating.
If you’re looking for a therapist to celebrate the small wins and micromovements with. I offer therapy for eating disorders, trauma, and anxiety in Marietta, GA, Coconut Creek, FL and virtually across GA, FL and SC.