Shadows of the Mind: Vivian's Struggle with Trauma in Post-Traumatic

In Post-Traumatic, Chantal V. Johnson presents a raw and unflinching portrayal of trauma through the lens of Vivian. As a mental health attorney, Vivian spends her days advocating for those navigating the very systems she herself feels intimately bound to. Despite her professional success, she is haunted by her own past trauma, which threatens to derail her emotionally and psychologically. Johnson masterfully weaves the narrative, drawing us into Vivian’s inner world, where her daydreams and unspoken thoughts reflect the complex ways trauma can shape one’s sense of self.

Vivian’s past is inextricably linked to her present. Her experiences have left lasting marks on her psyche, influencing her actions, thoughts, and even her relationships. She navigates the world with a carefully curated exterior, while her internal monologue reveals a fragile woman deeply entrenched in the weight of her memories. It is this inner conflict that makes Vivian such a compelling character—she is both victim and survivor, and her attempts to manage these dual identities form the emotional core of the novel.

One of the most striking aspects of Vivian’s character is how her internalized trauma manifests in daydreams and fantasies, often hovering dangerously close to the edge of self-destruction. Her darker, unarticulated thoughts expose her vulnerability and hint at the dangerous possibility that, if those thoughts were fully realized, she could find herself in the very same institutions where she works as an advocate. There’s a subtle irony in her life: as someone who fiercely protects the rights of others, she may also need protection from herself.

As we contemplate Vivian’s future, it’s clear that her journey is far from over. She remains in a delicate balance, with her past continually threatening to overwhelm her present. Whether she finds peace and healing or remains tethered to her trauma depends on whether she can confront the parts of herself she’s long buried. Will she continue to suppress her pain, or will she find the strength to articulate it and seek help, just as she encourages her clients to do?

As I reflect on Vivian’s journey, I can’t help but see echoes of my own past. The way trauma, especially from childhood, lingers just beneath the surface of everyday life is something I’ve come to understand intimately. Like Vivian, I’ve found that in order to truly begin the healing process, I’ve had to sit with my own experiences—confront them rather than avoid them. Processing trauma isn’t easy, and it’s often uncomfortable. But in facing those memories and emotions head-on, I’ve found that it’s possible to not only survive but to heal.

Vivian’s struggle reminds us that unaddressed pain has the power to shape our present in ways we might not even realize, but it also holds the key to transformation. What Vivian’s future might hold is uncertain, but it’s clear that her reckoning with the past is the first step toward whatever comes next.