#TraumaTherapy

A woman in bed looks scared, wide-eyed, clutching a white blanket. The room is dimly lit with a blue hue, creating a tense mood.

I refer to it as ‘The Voldemort Effect’: Understanding Avoidance

Avoidance is one of the most instinctive human responses to fear. When something feels overwhelming, whether a memory, a situation or even a thought, turning away can bring a temporary sense of safety. In the moment it may feel protective but over time this very act of avoidance nourishes the fear it is meant to contain. I call this the Voldemort Effect. In the Harry Potter stories, the refusal to speak Lord Voldemort’s name transforms it into something unspeakable.

Sep 242 min read

Billi Silverstein
Psychotherapy

I refer to it as ‘The Voldemort Effect’: Understanding Avoidance

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