Breaking the cycle and healing ancestral and historical trauma is the topic of this powerful podcast episode of Happiness on Tap with Leann.
What if the pain you’re carrying isn’t just yours? Many of us struggle with emotional and physical pain that seems to have no origin. In this latest episode, host Leann Herron sits down with stress management and ancestral trauma expert, Elizabeth Kipp, to uncover the silent impact of ancestral trauma on our health, relationships, and sense of self—and more importantly, how we can break the cycle.
LISTEN HERE.
What Is Ancestral Trauma, and Why Does It Matter?
Ancestral trauma refers to the unresolved pain, beliefs, and energetic patterns passed down through our families, sometimes over many generations. According to Elizabeth, “We come into this life with the gifts and the burdens of ancestors.” She shares a powerful memory of feeling a “weight in the family” as a child—something she couldn’t name, but which profoundly affected her.
Modern science is beginning to measure ancestral trauma, showing how unresolved stress and pain can be inherited and manifest as struggles like anxiety, unhealthy relationships, low abundance, or chronic health issues. As Elizabeth says, “If it’s hysterical, it’s historical”—meaning, when we react strongly to something and can’t explain why, the root may lie deeper than our personal experience.
How Ancestral Clearing Can Help You Heal
Elizabeth is a practitioner of ancestral clearing: an energy healing and spiritual practice that helps people release generational burdens to reclaim wholeness in the present. Using guided meditations and prayer-based processes, this modality invites us to ask “Source” (or God, Creator, the Divine—whatever feels right to you) to help us release what no longer serves us.
This work doesn’t require you to know exactly what happened generations ago; rather, it’s about releasing energetic patterns that limit your potential, self-worth, or sense of safety. As Elizabeth explains, “We’re not asking it to take anything away. We’re asking it to help us release.” The result? Greater freedom, clarity, and access to your true self.
Recognizing the Signs: Are You Carrying Ancestral Pain?
Not sure if ancestral trauma is affecting you? According to Elizabeth, look for these signs:
Intense emotional reactions to situations that seem out of proportion (“If it’s hysterical, it’s historical”)
Persistent scarcity or abundance issues (e.g., living paycheck to paycheck despite working hard)
Recurring patterns in relationships, addiction, or self-sabotage
Feelings of not belonging or confusion about your identity
Many clients, including those who are adopted, wonder: “Is this pain from my biological family or my adoptive family?” The answer is often “both and.” The goal is less about pinpointing the exact source and more about releasing whatever is not yours to carry.
The Power of Forgiveness and Self-Forgiveness
A core component of ancestral clearing is forgiveness. Elizabeth reframes forgiveness very specifically to mean “offering up that which no longer serves us.” Whether you’re struggling to let go of anger at others or deep regret within yourself, this compassionate release is key for breaking generational cycles.
Self-forgiveness, especially, can be the hardest. “If I have an event in my life where I can’t ever forgive myself, now what is that? Holding on for dear life. The energy of that is contractive,” says Elizabeth. Through ancestral clearing, you can begin to transform even the most stubborn self-judgment into peace and acceptance.
Betrayal Trauma, Addiction & Recovery: The Generational Web
The episode dives deep into betrayal trauma, the unique pain of being hurt by someone you trust. As Elizabeth describes, betrayal trauma often “shakes our whole worldview”—and it’s frequently a repeating pattern within family lines. Healing betrayal trauma may require addressing not only your own wounds but also generational legacies of betrayal, abandonment, or secrecy.
Similarly, addiction is described as an “effect of unresolved trauma.” While there’s no gene for addiction, generational pain and habits set the stage for addictive behaviors—whether it’s substances, relationships, or self-sabotage. The path to recovery involves nurturing a sense of safety, self-compassion, and new tools for managing stress.
Tools & Practices for Breaking the Cycle
Elizabeth’s approach to healing is practical and holistic. Here’s what she recommends:
1. Regulate Your Nervous System: Before addressing ancestral wounds, use breathwork (like alternate nostril breathing) to calm the body and feel safe.
2. Use Ancestral Clearing: Engage in guided prayers and clearing sessions to release inherited patterns at the energetic level.
3. Find Safe Relationships: Healing happens in connection with coaches, therapists, spiritual community, or your own authentic self.
4. Cultivate Presence: Simple mindfulness and meditation can anchor you in the now, where healing becomes possible.
Experience Ancestral Clearing for Yourself
Elizabeth even offers a powerful group clearing during the podcast episode (listen in or read the transcript above) to help listeners release burdens in real time. It’s a moving experience that covers betrayal, scarcity, addiction, injustice, and more—not only from your life, but generations before you.
Ready to Break the Cycle?
You are not alone. Whether you’re just beginning your healing journey or looking to go deeper, remember: you can release what no longer serves you. As Elizabeth Kipp says, “Healing is possible—even after decades of suffering. You don’t have to carry what doesn’t belong to you.”
To learn more about Elizabeth’s work, her books, and upcoming events, or to book an ancestral clearing session, connect with Elizabeth. Book a session here.
Howard Wills pioneered Ancestral Clearing, a concept further developed and taught by John Newton.
