Cultural & Intergenerational Trauma Therapy in New Jersey

Some of the patterns we carry didn't start with us.

Family expectations, cultural values, experiences of racism or discrimination, immigration, generational trauma, and the ways we learned to survive can shape how we see ourselves and relate to others.

You may deeply love your family and culture while also recognizing patterns that are affecting your emotional well-being. You might struggle with guilt when setting boundaries, feel responsible for taking care of others, have difficulty expressing your needs, or find yourself repeating patterns you hoped would end with you.

At Vida Wellness & Counseling Services, we provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed therapy for adults throughout New Jersey who want to better understand these experiences, heal from painful patterns, and create healthier ways of moving forward.

You don't have to choose between honoring where you come from and taking care of yourself.

When Family and Cultural Patterns Affect Your Mental Health

Our earliest experiences teach us about relationships, safety, emotions, responsibility, and belonging. Sometimes the beliefs and coping strategies that helped our families survive difficult circumstances continue across generations—even when they no longer serve us.

You may benefit from therapy if you struggle with:

• Intergenerational or generational trauma

• Difficult family dynamics

• Guilt when setting boundaries

• Feeling responsible for other people's emotions or well-being

• People-pleasing or difficulty saying no

• Racial trauma or experiences of discrimination

• Cultural or family expectations

• Identity or belonging concerns

• Low self-worth or difficulty prioritizing yourself

• Difficulty expressing emotions or asking for support

• Relationship patterns you want to change

• Anxiety, stress, or emotional overwhelm connected to family experiences

Therapy can help you understand where these patterns come from without blaming yourself, your family, or your culture.

Understanding Intergenerational Trauma

Intergenerational trauma refers to the ways painful experiences and survival patterns can affect families across generations.

Experiences such as abuse, neglect, racism, discrimination, migration, poverty, family separation, violence, or other significant hardships can influence how families communicate, express emotions, respond to conflict, and understand safety.

Sometimes this looks like emotional distance. Other times, it may appear as intense expectations, difficulty discussing feelings, pressure to succeed, fear of disappointing family members, or feeling that your needs should always come second.

Understanding these patterns doesn't mean rejecting your family or culture. It can mean becoming more intentional about what you want to carry forward—and what you are ready to change.

Meet Berline Joseph, LSW

Berline Joseph, LSW provides culturally responsive, trauma-informed therapy to adults throughout New Jersey.

Berline has a special interest in helping adults navigate intergenerational wounds, racial and cultural trauma, emotional regulation, self-esteem, boundaries, and relationship patterns.

She is EMDR trained and a Certified Nurtured Heart Trainer, integrating evidence-based and strength-based approaches to help clients better understand their experiences and build resilience.

Berline is bilingual in English and Haitian Creole, allowing clients who prefer Haitian Creole to express themselves and explore their experiences in the language that feels most natural to them.