We dedicate ourselves to topics such as body image, care work, relationship dynamics, masculinity/femininity expectations, and sexism. We explore the emotional and psychological structures within us: How does the collective trauma of patriarchy manifest in our bodies, thoughts, and emotions? What contradictions do we feel within ourselves regarding patriarchal structures? Which things do we want to feel or talk about openly, and which do we prefer to avoid? How does patriarchy live within us, and how can we heal from it—not just theoretically, but also on a nervous system level? What does a safe space for healing look like?
Our focus is on emotional process work. To support this, we use small and large group work, lectures, discussions, and meditations.
We dedicate ourselves to topics such as body image, care work, relationship dynamics, masculinity/femininity expectations, and sexism. We explore the emotional and psychological structures within us: How does the collective trauma of patriarchy manifest in our bodies, thoughts, and emotions? What contradictions do we feel within ourselves regarding patriarchal structures? Which things do we want to feel or talk about openly, and which do we prefer to avoid? How does patriarchy live within us, and how can we heal from it—not just theoretically, but also on a nervous system level? What does a safe space for healing look like?
Our focus is on emotional process work. To support this, we use small and large group work, lectures, discussions, and meditations.
In this Lab, we focused on deep self-exploration and collective reflection. We examined how societal structures shape our inner world, paying special attention to the ways patriarchy influences our emotions, relationships, and sense of self. <br /> Through experiential exercises, open discussions, and embodied practices, we engaged with themes like gender expectations,personal boundaries and where we have internalized patriarchy. Rather than just analyzing these topics, we aimed to feel into them—recognizing tensions, unspoken narratives, and opportunities for healing on both an emotional and nervous system level.<br />
Young adults between 15 and 30 years. <br /> We started out with a group of 34 participants and completed with 18 participants. We met for 11 group sessions from January - December 2024.
In our lab, we worked with meditation, triads, and small groups to facilitate deep exchange. By consciously choosing to show up with our full emotional spectrum, including uncomfortable feelings, a sense of group coherence emerged. Sharing our inner experiences and reflections served as valuable resources, strengthening both individual and collective resilience. Honest self-expression, combined with active listening, created a nurturing and supportive space. This fostered a strong sense of connection—the awareness that we are all in the same boat, navigating this process together.
Collective trauma and patriarchy are inseparable, and as such, they were consistently present throughout our process. These two elements formed a central part of our shared exploration and experience. The patriarchal system, deeply embedded in society, shapes how trauma is experienced and passed on. In our work, it was crucial to acknowledge and reflect on these connections in order to gain a deeper understanding of their impact on individuals and groups, while also discovering pathways for healing.
In our lab, we explored the participants' personal relationship to trauma by examining the impact of patriarchal socialization on their individual experiences. As male and female socialized individuals, we are all embedded in a society deeply shaped by patriarchy, which influences not only our behavior but also our self-perception and interactions with others. By turning toward the patriarchal system, participants were confronted with their own trauma and the experiences associated with it. We recognized that this collective trauma manifested both subtly and in more overt ways within the individual and collective experiences of the group. This created a space where participants could gradually and courageously engage with their own trauma and the societal structures that shape it.
In our lab, we didn’t directly invite participants to connect with their ancestral roots or their ancestors' connection to this trauma, but we consciously engaged with the collective trauma of patriarchy and its effects on our society and individual experiences. By exploring the societal structures and our socialization as male and female individuals, we indirectly touched on the experiences of our ancestors and the collective histories that live on within us. We listened to the voices that resonate through these traumatic experiences, whether through unconscious behavioral patterns, old wounds, or the ways in which we live and communicate in relationships. Through open exchange and shared reflection on personal and societal experiences, we were able to tap into the collective field of trauma and, in a sense, "listen" to how it has manifested across generations.
In engaging with patriarchy and how I participate in it, many participants experienced feelings of shame. A key realization was how important it is to look at the places we tend to avoid—those areas where we continue behaviors we actually reject or that don’t align with our values. One example is the experience of a person who is read as female and receives sexualized remarks on the street, feeling deeply uncomfortable with being objectified. At the same time, she notices a part of herself that feels validated by this attention, feeling desirable and attractive. The ability to address this internal conflict and acknowledge that it's okay to hold both of these feelings is an important step. When this conflict is given space and the shame is alleviated, we see this as an ethical upgrade—a process where participants learn to accept the complexity of their inner experiences and engage with them in a new, healthier way.
In the course of the lab, we explored whether the cycle led to inner and/or outer changes in the participants' lives, both in small and large ways. Through the deep engagement with topics such as impacts of patriarchy, trauma, and societal structures, participants began to develop more Acceptance of one's own wounds, thought patterns and influences practiced by patriarchal structures
Many shared an increased awareness of the subtle and overt impacts of patriarchal systems on their lives, both in private and social contexts.
Some participants reported changes in their relationships—more courage to show up authentically and a deeper understanding of the complexity of feelings and conflicts. In terms of societal realities, a more humble viewpoint on our undeveloped and wounded sides, new, more nuanced responses began to emerge: a heightened awareness of personal values and a willingness to stand by them, even in challenging social situations.
Overall reflections in the lab indicated that the process had led to a deeper connection with oneself and others. Sharing experiences and exploring together allowed participants to take new, more conscious steps—both in their inner experience and in navigating societal norms and challenges.
Crisis Trauma Relief
Trauma-Informed Practice
Collective Trauma Integration
Community of Practice
Raising Awareness
Overview
What we do
Who we are
Підпишіться на наші інформаційні листи. Допоможіть нам зцілювати колективну травму та зменшувати негативні ефекти для нашої глобальної культури.
Luna Garcia Fernandez 
German