215 - Repeat or Recover w/ Dr. Tian Dayton: The Cost of Relational Trauma215 - Repeat or Recover w/ Dr. Tian Dayton: The Cost of Relational Trauma
Adult Child
Dr. Tian Dayton discusses breaking the cycle of generational trauma and the importance of community in recovery, drawing from her professional and personal experiences.
1:26:23•28 Jan 2026
Breaking the Cycle: Healing Generational Trauma
Episode Overview
- Recovery is a journey with both setbacks and triumphs.
- Community support is crucial for healing from trauma.
- Understanding and regulating the nervous system is key.
- Process addictions can interfere with recovery.
- Healing requires addressing unconscious trauma.
“"What you don't know can still hurt you, and what remains unconscious is precisely what does."”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This episode of Adult Child brings us a conversation with Dr. Tian Dayton, a clinical psychologist and author, who shares her extensive experience in trauma and addiction recovery. With over 40 years in the field, Dr. Dayton offers a deeply human perspective on breaking the cycle of generational trauma.
She discusses the unique challenges faced by adult children of addicts, such as codependency and complex trauma, and highlights the importance of healing relational wounds. Dr. Dayton's personal anecdotes about growing up with an alcoholic parent provide a powerful context for understanding these issues. Her upcoming book, "Growing Up With Addiction," aims to reach those at any stage of their healing journey, offering insights that are accessible to both newcomers and those further along in their recovery.
Andrea Ashley, the host, engages Dr. Dayton in a candid discussion about the nuances of trauma, the role of community in recovery, and the often overlooked impact of process addictions like phone or gambling addiction. They also explore how our nervous systems are affected by trauma and how resilience can be built through understanding and addressing these impacts. This episode is not just about identifying problems but about finding pathways to healing and empowerment.
It's a reminder that recovery is not a straight line but a series of steps that include both setbacks and triumphs. Are you ready to explore the depths of your own recovery journey? Dive into this episode for inspiration and guidance.

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