From Trauma to Transformation: The Big Red Barn Retreat's Mission

Embracing Posttraumatic Growth: The Science of Transformation

What if the hardest things you’ve experienced in life could not only lead to recovery, but to a profound new chapter?

At The Big Red Barn Retreat (BRBR), we know that trauma doesn’t have to be the end of your story; it can be the beginning of positive transformation. This concept, known as Posttraumatic Growth (PTG), is the foundation of our mission: to empower our nation’s heroes to find hope, fortitude, and purpose.

The Science Behind “Growing Through” Trauma

PTG is more than just “bouncing back”, it is the proven process of experiencing significant positive psychological change that arises from struggling with a major life crisis or trauma.

• The Concept: First introduced by psychologists Dr. Richard Tedeschi and Dr. Lawrence Calhoun, PTG has demonstrated that trauma-exposed individuals often report unexpected benefits afterward, leading to higher levels of joy, strength, and purpose
• The Impact on Heroes: The phenomenon is remarkably common among the military community. Research indicates that over 63% of trauma-exposed veterans endorse a moderate or greater level of PTG in relation to their worst traumatic event, showing that this capacity for positive change is widespread.

PTS vs. PTG: Two Sides of the Same Struggle

It’s crucial to understand the difference between growth and struggle:

• Posttraumatic Stress (PTS) is a clinical diagnosis describing the psychological effects that can follow trauma.
• Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) focuses on positive growth and change resulting from the struggle.

The two are not mutually exclusive. Someone can experience trauma symptoms while simultaneously beginning to grow in other areas of life. PTG doesn’t erase trauma,  instead, it reframes the narrative to show that through times of deep struggle, strength, perspective, and purpose can shine.

Our PTG Framework for Heroes

At the BRBR, our programs, including Warrior PATHH and Struggle Well (both developed by the Boulder Crest Foundation), are specifically designed to cultivate PTG in our nation’s heroes. This is a deliberate, evidence-based process that guides individuals to rebuild their worldview, integrate the wisdom gained from their struggle, and step into a new identity. In addition to these programs, the Big Red Barn Retreat also offers PTG aligned services including Healing Arts, music, equine-assisted services, yoga, tai chi, meditation, and other supportive practices that reinforce growth across multiple domains.

The evidence is clear: