When it is and why it matters
June 21 is the National Day of Healing, a date recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and observed across the country as an occasion to acknowledge the work of healing, particularly for veterans, survivors of trauma, and communities that have experienced collective loss and violence.
The observance does not mark a single historical event. Instead, it holds space for something that resists easy commemoration: the long, nonlinear process of recovering from experiences that leave a mark on the nervous system, on relationships, and on a person’s sense of who they are. Healing is not a milestone to be reached by a particular date. It is work that happens in community, in the presence of others who understand what it means to carry something heavy and still choose to keep going.
The National Day of Healing falls on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. That timing is not coincidental. For many healing traditions, Indigenous practices, somatic approaches, community rituals, the solstice carries meaning as a turning point, a moment of maximum light. There is something worth sitting with in that: the idea that the longest day is also a threshold.
What the research says
Trauma recovery research has shifted significantly over the past two decades. The older model, individual therapy as the primary vehicle, with a defined beginning and end, has given way to a richer picture that includes community, relational safety, and time as core elements of recovery.
One of the most replicated findings in trauma research is that social connection is not optional for healing; it is the mechanism. Bessel van der Kolk’s work, summarized in his 2014 book The Body Keeps the Score, documented how trauma disrupts the systems that govern trust, relationship, and a sense of safety in the presence of others. Healing, in this framework, is not primarily cognitive (understanding what happened) but relational (feeling safe with another person). Support groups, peer programs, and community-based practices work because they directly address that relational disruption.
Indigenous healing traditions have offered a parallel insight for generations: healing is communal, not individual, and it requires attention to the relationship between a person, their community, and the land and history they carry. The VA’s recognition of the National Day of Healing reflects a growing acknowledgment that Western clinical models alone cannot address the full spectrum of trauma, particularly historical and intergenerational trauma in Indigenous communities and communities of color.
Group-based trauma treatment also has a growing evidence base. Research published in PTSD Research Quarterly and elsewhere has documented the effectiveness of group cognitive processing therapy, group EMDR protocols, and peer support programs for combat veterans, sexual violence survivors, and first responders. These approaches work not in spite of their group format but in part because of it, because healing in the presence of others who understand is fundamentally different from healing alone.
Groups for trauma recovery in our directory
The Group Guide is building out its directory of trauma-focused support groups. If you facilitate a group for trauma survivors, online or in person, you can claim a free Founding Member listing at List Your Group.
The following search terms in our directory may surface relevant options:
- “Trauma”: groups for trauma recovery, including PTSD-focused and general trauma support
- “Healing”: community and peer-led groups focused on recovery and resilience
- “Veterans”: groups for veterans and service members, many of which address combat and moral injury
- “Survivors”: groups for sexual violence, childhood abuse, and other forms of trauma
Browse by location and format at thegroupguide.com.
How to choose a group for trauma recovery
Choosing a group when trauma is part of the picture requires more care than choosing a general support group. A few things to look for.
Ask about the group’s approach before you attend. Groups focused on trauma fall into two broad categories: psychoeducational groups that teach skills (grounding, emotion regulation, understanding the nervous system) and process groups where members discuss their experiences. For many people in early trauma recovery, psychoeducational groups are a safer starting point because they build capacity before asking for disclosure. Ask the facilitator what kind of group it is.
Look for trauma-informed facilitation. A group for trauma survivors should be led by someone with specific training in trauma, CPT, EMDR, somatic approaches, or a related evidence-based model. Peer-led groups can also be valuable, particularly for veterans and survivors, but the facilitator should understand trauma triggers and group safety even if they are not a licensed clinician.
Online groups are a real option. Many trauma survivors find it easier to begin in an online format, where they have more control over their environment and can step back if something becomes overwhelming. Research on online group therapy for PTSD and trauma shows outcomes comparable to in-person formats for many participants.
Cultural fit matters. Healing is not universal. A group that centers Indigenous healing practices, or that is designed specifically for BIPOC survivors, or that approaches recovery through a spiritual framework, may be a better fit for some people than a standard clinical group. Look for groups that reflect how you understand healing.
You can try more than one. There is no obligation to commit to the first group you attend. Most groups allow drop-in attendance for an initial session. Taking the time to find a group that feels safe is worth more than forcing yourself to stay in one that does not.
Other resources
- National Center for PTSD: ptsd.va.gov: research, treatment locator, and self-assessment tools from the VA
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357, free, confidential, 24/7; connects people to mental health and substance use treatment
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): nami.org: peer support groups and educational programs for trauma and co-occurring conditions
- RAINN: rainn.org: resources and referrals for sexual violence survivors
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988: free, confidential, 24/7; not only for suicidality, but for any moment of overwhelming distress
FAQ
What is the National Day of Healing?
The National Day of Healing is observed on June 21. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and observed across communities as a day to acknowledge the work of healing from trauma, individually, relationally, and collectively. It falls on the summer solstice and has roots in both clinical and Indigenous understandings of recovery as a communal process.
What does trauma recovery actually look like?
Trauma recovery is not linear, and it rarely looks like “getting over” what happened. It looks more like gradually expanding what feels safe, safe to feel, safe to talk about, safe to be around others while carrying. Research supports a view of recovery as relational: healing happens in connection with others, not in isolation. That is part of why support groups and peer programs are effective alongside individual therapy.
What is the difference between a trauma support group and trauma therapy?
A support group is not therapy. It is a structured space where people with similar experiences connect, share, and support each other, sometimes facilitated by a clinician, sometimes by a peer. Therapy involves a treatment relationship with a licensed clinician using an evidence-based approach like CPT or EMDR. Many people find that support groups and therapy complement each other well, particularly in later stages of recovery.
Are support groups safe for people who are early in trauma recovery?
It depends on the group. Open-ended process groups, where members discuss whatever is on their minds, can be retraumatizing if not carefully facilitated. Psychoeducational groups that teach coping skills are generally safer for people who are newly processing trauma. Ask about the group’s format and the facilitator’s training before attending.
What if I’m in crisis right now?
Call or text 988. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential, and available around the clock. You do not have to be suicidal to call. Veterans can press 1 after dialing to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
The Group Guide is a directory. Group leaders write their own listings, and we do not vet, supervise, or endorse the groups listed here. We are not a clinic and we do not provide clinical services or guarantee outcomes. That is the group’s work, not ours. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.