society is currently experiencing an ongoing traumatic crisis, both personal and national, intensified by the events of October 7, the Iron Swords War, and their social, economic, and psychological consequences. Over the past decade, substantial professional knowledge has accumulated regarding post-traumatic growth; however, this knowledge has largely remained within the therapeutic field and has not sufficiently permeated broader societal systems. The gap between the realities on the ground and the capacity of existing systems to initiate processes of recovery and growth calls for renewed, leadership-driven thinking.

HOMIYAH, an international intervention group established immediately after October 7, 2023, has driven a significant shift in the training of therapists in the field of post-trauma. It comprises a network of 150 graduates, all senior therapists working within the public service, and is currently leading the managed care revolution in the field of post-trauma treatment in Israel.

The Need to Move from Post-Trauma to Post-Traumatic Growth

An exclusive focus on pathology and trauma creates a “pathway toward disability,” reinforces a victim-centered discourse, and overlooks the potential for personal and community growth. Post-traumatic growth (PTG) offers a paradigm that restores agency, meaning, responsibility, and belonging, creating a space in which pain is a point of departure rather than a point of conclusion. Growth is both a right and a choice of the individual; beyond that, discourse on growth is inherently collective rather than personal. It is essential for social stability, national resilience, and for shaping a future in which trauma does not become destiny. A post-traumatic growth approach enables the transformation of trauma from a stumbling block into a building block.