Can Childhood Trauma Make Someone Violent? | Gwen Adshead | #078 Mastering Change

What can childhood trauma tell us about why some people become violent? In this episode of Mastering Change, Emma and Araminta are joined by forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist **Dr Gwen Adshead**, who has spent decades working with both perpetrators and survivors of serious violence. Gwen explores the significant overlap she has encountered between trauma and violence, while challenging any simple assumption that trauma causes violent behaviour. Instead, she asks what we can learn by looking beyond categories of “victim and perpetrator” or “good and bad" and understanding the complex pathways that can lead someone towards violence. Drawing on her work in hospitals, prisons and therapeutic groups, Gwen explores what happens when people who have committed serious violence begin to understand their own histories, confront shame and take responsibility for their actions. We explore: - Why childhood trauma can be one factor on the pathway towards violence – but never tells the whole story - What people who have committed serious violence actually confront in therapy - Why understanding someone's history does not mean excusing their behaviour - Why Gwen believes dividing people into “victims and perpetrators” or “good and bad” can be unhelpful - How shame, isolation and social exclusion can shape recovery - Why being able to understand and articulate your own mind may be a privilege we underestimate - What working with violent offenders has taught Gwen about responsibility and change - Why preventing future trauma may require supporting the adults who are struggling to care safely for children **Moment of Care:** This episode includes discussion of childhood trauma, serious violence, mental health and other potentially distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take care of yourself and seek support if you need it. **Gwen Adshead at Transform Trauma Oxford 2026** Dr Gwen Adshead will be speaking at Transform Trauma Oxford this September in her session, Unspeakable: Trauma, Language and Therapy.  Bringing together neuroscience, narrative identity and psychotherapy, Gwen will explore why trauma can leave people struggling to put their experiences into words, how it can shape autobiographical memory and the stories we tell about ourselves and how the therapeutic relationship can help people discover a new voice. If you are interested in learning more about Gwen’s work, her Oxford session offers an opportunity to explore the science of trauma and language in greater depth alongside hundreds of practitioners committed to advancing trauma-informed care.  Gwen will be speaking alongside leading experts Gabor Maté, Bessel van der Kolk, Kristin Neff, Julia Samuel, Shi Heng Yi, Jack Kornfield, Matthias Barker, Rangan Chatterjee, Ruth Cohn and many others. - In-person ticket: £995 - Virtual ticket: £395 Get your ticket here: https://mastersevents.com/oxford-2026/?utm\_source=Podcast&utm\_medium=description&utm\_campaign=GwenAdshead%2FTraumaAndViolence%2FAugust2026 **Watch this episode on Youtube:** https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast **Follow us on instagram:** www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd ***Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.***