Intergenerational trauma describes the effects of historical trauma passed on to the survivors' descendants.

Collective trauma does not only produce an individual psychological wound, but affects communities and groups.

While individual therapy may help, collective care is a critical aspect in the process of healing.

Collective care involves creating environments that foster belonging, affirmation, and mutual support.

The forced incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II remains one of the most profound violations of civil liberties in the history of the United States. While the barbed wire fences and guard towers came down decades ago, their psychological and emotional impact persists across generations. Today, growing attention to intergenerational trauma offers a deeper understanding of how such historical injustices shape identity, relationships, and well-being long after the events themselves have passed.

Psychotherapist, filmmaker, and activist Dr. Satsuki Ina has been a leading voice in illuminating these enduring effects. Born in Tule Lake during the World War II incarceration, Dr. Ina has dedicated her career to understanding how trauma reverberates across generations and how communities can heal. In my conversation with her on the Wellness in Today’s World podcast, she described trauma not simply as an individual psychological wound, but as a collective experience embedded in family narratives, cultural silences, and social structures.

The Legacy of Silence and Survival

For many Japanese American families, survival during and after incarceration required emotional restraint. Parents and grandparents often avoided speaking about their experiences, believing silence would protect their children from pain or stigma. However, research demonstrates that unspoken trauma does not disappear; instead, it can manifest indirectly through anxiety, depression, alcoholism, chronic health........

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