The long shadow of trauma doesn't simply disappear with time, especially for teen mothers who've experienced violence and abuse. Rather than fading into the past, unresolved trauma physically embeds itself in the body, rewiring the nervous system and reshaping brain development in ways that continue affecting mothers decades later.

Dr. Chris unpacks the neurobiological reality of trauma, explaining why many adult women who were teen mothers experience heightened sensitivity, emotional reactivity, and difficulty regulating their responses—not because of character flaws, but because of physical changes to their nervous systems. Drawing from trauma specialists like Jasmin Lee Cori and pioneering researcher Peter A. Levine, she explores how traumatic experiences create a state where survivors are simultaneously "revved up and constricted," functioning with "a foot on the accelerator and brake at the same time."

This episode offers a compassionate understanding of the brain science behind trauma, detailing how emergency responses get trapped in the body, creating a "stacking effect" where each subsequent stress compounds upon unresolved previous experiences. Particularly illuminating is Dr. Chris's explanation of how trauma impacts three brain regions—the survival-focused reptilian brain, the emotion-centered limbic system, and the thinking-oriented neocortex—affecting everything from memory to concentration to emotional regulation.

Beyond simply explaining trauma's physical impact, this episode offers practical pathways toward healing. From somatic (body-based) therapies to improving self-regulation—your emotional thermostat—to building resilience, Dr. Chris shares how mothers can gradually reclaim control of their nervous systems. Using the powerful metaphor of freeing a car stuck in snow, she illustrates how healing happens not through forcing the process but through gentle back-and-forth movements that gradually build traction.

Ready to understand why past trauma still affects your mothering today and discover pathways toward genuine healing? Join our supportive community of teen mothers and adult women who were teen mothers by visiting teenmomsa.org or connecting with us on social media @TeenMomsAnonymous.

We explore the tale of violence and abuse prevalent in teen mothers' lives and explain how unhealed trauma continues to affect adult mothers physically, emotionally, and mentally decades later.

• Nearly two-thirds of teen mothers experience sexual or physical abuse at some point in their lives.
• Traumatic experiences leave imprints on the nervous system that persist even when "out of sight."
• Trauma is overwhelming and terrifying, causing us to protect ourselves through shock, denial, or dissociation.
• Some people suffer more than others due to differences in traumatic events, individual makeup, and spiritual responses.
• Hidden trauma may be repressed or normalized but still affects the nervous system and overall functioning.
• Healing involves facing painful emotions but leads to integration that makes suffering finite rather than lifelong.
• You can't change what happened, but you can change trauma's imprint on your body and mind
  
  Email us at info@teenmomsA.org or contact us via our website teenmomsA.org with questions or topics you'd like discussed. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @TeenMomsAnonymous and subscribe to our blog and podcast to stay connected on your healing journey.

When a teenage girl becomes a mother, her life transforms in ways she never anticipated—often amid judgment, shame, and overwhelming challenges. But what happens when this young mother carries unhealed trauma into her parenting journey? The impacts can ripple through generations.

Dr. Chris joins J'Michael with 107.3 JAMZ - Greenville, SC to share the powerful mission behind Teen Moms Anonymous, where we are creating sacred spaces where teen mothers and adult women who became mothers in their teens can find healing, support, and empowerment. With authentic vulnerability, Dr. Chris reveals how her difficult relationship with her own mother—a teen parent—became the catalyst for her life's work.

"Your greatest ministry will come out of your greatest pain," she shares, describing the moment she discovered how unresolved trauma from violence and abuse impacts a young mother's ability to form a secure attachment with her child. This understanding transformed her personal pain into purposeful action, creating resources that interrupt generational cycles of trauma.

The conversation offers practical wisdom for families navigating a teen pregnancy, with Dr. Chris outlining three essential steps: parents must first regulate their own emotions, then emotionally support their daughter, and finally develop a concrete plan utilizing available resources. From medical partnerships like Nurse Family Partnership to educational advocacy with school counselors, she outlines a comprehensive support system for young families.

What makes this interview particularly valuable is the balance of compassionate understanding with actionable guidance. Dr. Chris doesn't just acknowledge the emotional wounds teen mothers carry—she provides pathways to healing through our organization's weekly blogs, podcasts, and confidential support groups.

Whether you're a parent, educator, community leader, or someone who cares about supporting vulnerable families, this conversation offers profound insights into breaking cycles of trauma and building healthier futures for young mothers and their children.

Connect with Teen Moms Anonymous through our website teenmomsA.org and discover how emotional healing creates stronger families across generations.