Women Helping Women: The Power of Female Friendships in Trauma Healing
By Lana Carter
We’ve all seen the idealized version of the strong, independent woman. She handles things on her own, never asks for help, and takes pride in being too tough to crack. She’s strong, sure. Safe from being hurt? Unlikely. And most importantly, is she healed?
In all honesty, we humans aren't meant to do life alone. It can seem easier than letting others in at times, but our mental health is deeply intertwined with community. Oftentimes, our greatest strengths lie in the bonds we form with each other. This journey is not a solitary road! It’s a winding path that is best walked hand in hand with the women who truly see and love us.
In this blog post, I’ll talk about the special role of female friendships in your trauma healing journey.
Why Female Support is Critical for Healing
Trauma will try to isolate you. Try to convince you that no one could understand what you’ve been through. That it’s too ugly, too embarrassing, too horrible to share. But healing? Healing is communal in nature. It will happen organically in spaces where we feel safe, validated, deeply accepted and deeply understood. Who better to link arms with than women who have already walked through their own fire and came out the other side stronger?
Science backs this up—studies show that strong female friendships can help reduce stress, improve mental health, and even increase longevity. When we are surrounded by women who encourage us, remind us of our worth, and call us out (lovingly) when we start to shrink ourselves, we heal in ways we never could alone.
The Iconic Power of Women Supporting Women
We’ve seen many iconic female friendships play out on screen and in literature, reflecting the same depth and resilience we experience in our real lives. One reminder that is sacred to me is of the strength of sisterhood in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. These four girls navigated the highs and lows of adolescence, and their experiences were not just about growing up; they were about healing from trauma. The friendship weathered themes of childhood death, loss of innocence, loss of parents, and all the growing pains that come with life. But their friendship provided a refuge, an unshakable support system that made the unbearable feel a little less heavy. This is an example of a power we can access with female friendship: someone who sees our pain, holds space for it, and reminds us that we don’t have to carry it alone.
Unlike other relationships in our lives, romantic, familial, or professional, female friendships have a unique, intuitive understanding of trauma. Your partner may love you, but they may not always be able to understand the weight of the burdens you carry. Family members might care, but they may not always validate your experience, or the person you are trying to become. But the women who know you best? They can take one look at you and just know. They are the ones you can confide in without fear, the ones who carry your history with love and remind you of your power when you forget it yourself.
The Takeaway: WE NEED EACH OTHER
If trauma teaches us anything, it’s that pain thrives in isolation. But healing? Healing flourishes in connection. We need each other. We need the late-night talks, the inside jokes, the “I got you” texts, and the deep, soul-nourishing friendships that remind us who we are when we forget. So, if you’re on a healing journey, don’t walk it alone. Lean on your sisters, build your community, and remember: when women support women, there’s no limit to how far we can go.
&Rise is actively committed to creating space to nourish these relationships and build a healing community. If you’re looking for some new gal pals, you’re welcome here. We hold a few friendship-focused events throughout the year, including our annual Galentine’s Brunch. (Leslie Knope is another one of our favorite female friendship icons!)
Take a look through the events page that features upcoming events as well as support groups. There are options for virtual meetings and in-person, for those local to Chicago.
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