Let’s take a step back and consider something: What if the trauma your family has endured isn’t just a painful past to bury but a hidden power waiting to be unlocked? What if, instead of being broken by our histories, we could be transformed by them?

That’s the question at the heart of Dr. Kelly Bonhoff’s life’s work. And let me tell you, her story isn’t just compelling—it’s a revelation. Dr. Bonhoff, a trauma therapist and registered nurse with over 35 years of experience, has spent her career walking into the darkest corners of human suffering. She has worked with children, teens, couples, and families struggling to break free from generational cycles of trauma. But her journey isn’t just one of academic expertise—it’s deeply personal.

From an early age, Dr. Bonhoff lived in survival mode, carrying the weight of a family dynamic that, in her words, felt heavy. She took on roles no child should bear—keeping her mother healthy, her father happy, and her siblings safe. That kind of early programming etches itself into the soul, shaping how we navigate the world. But as she later discovered, it doesn’t have to define us forever.

The real turning point came after years of working in the medical field, prescribing and diagnosing, when she found herself burned out—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. COVID-era trauma work pushed her to the brink, and nothing in her traditional training seemed to help. And that’s when she did something radical.

Acupuncture. Yes, acupuncture. A practice as ancient as time, but completely new to her, opened a door she didn’t even know existed. With that first treatment, something shifted. Energy moved. And suddenly, the world of healing wasn’t just about medicine and psychology—it was about spirit.

Now, let’s pause here because this is important. For decades, we’ve been taught to view trauma, dysfunction, and even mental health through a clinical lens. Families are labeled as broken. People are diagnosed, categorized, and sometimes, dismissed. But what if we’ve been looking at it all wrong?

Dr. Bonhoff’s work reframes the entire conversation. In her book, What’s Going On With My Family?, she challenges the narrative of “brokenness” and instead offers something far more radical: empowerment. She argues that within every wounded family lies something sacred—something waiting to be remembered. And when we shift from a mindset of survival to one of healing, everything changes.

She outlines seven ‘superpowers’ of family—deep, untapped strengths that can guide us from fear to freedom. These aren’t just abstract concepts. They’re practical tools for breaking generational cycles, understanding our own inherited trauma, and stepping into a version of ourselves we never thought possible.

But let’s get real for a second. This isn’t easy. Confronting trauma, especially the kind that’s been passed down for generations, is daunting. It’s not just about recognizing pain—it’s about choosing to do something different. And that takes guts.

That’s why Dr. Bonhoff’s work is so powerful. She’s not just saying, “Hey, let’s talk about feelings.” She’s saying, “Let’s rewrite the story.”

In our conversation on The Enlightened Life Podcast, Dr. Bonhoff took us through her own awakening—the moment she realized that healing isn’t just about medicine or therapy, but about something deeper. It’s about knowing ourselves, our histories, and the energies we carry. And, maybe most importantly, it’s about recognizing that we were never actually broken to begin with.

So, what’s the takeaway here? If you’ve ever felt trapped by your past, if you’ve ever looked at your family and wondered how to break free from old wounds, Dr. Bonhoff offers a map. And more than that, she offers hope.

Healing isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable when we choose to remember who we are. And as Dr. Bonhoff so beautifully puts it, we are divine love in motion.

I just see it as a curious dance of energy and an opportunity to deepen my connection with myself, my family, and the world around me. This process of refinement is ongoing, and rather than resisting it, I now embrace it with an open heart.

One of the most profound realizations I had during this journey was that healing isn’t about fixing what’s broken—it’s about remembering our wholeness. It’s about peeling back the layers of conditioned beliefs, outdated fears, and inherited trauma to reveal the truth that has always been within us: we are powerful, divine beings capable of incredible transformation.

Families, at their core, are microcosms of the greater collective. When we heal ourselves, we create a ripple effect that extends outward, influencing our loved ones in ways both seen and unseen. And this is why the seven superpowers of the family are so critical—they serve as a framework for this transformation.

When a family embraces belief, they begin to see new possibilities where there were once only limitations. Discovery then becomes a natural next step, as they open themselves up to new ways of thinking, feeling, and being. This leads to exploration, where they begin to experiment with new dynamics, healthier communication, and more conscious ways of relating to one another.

Integration follows as these new insights become embedded into daily life, allowing old wounds to be acknowledged and released. Navigation is the process of adjusting, fine-tuning, and learning how to move through challenges with grace. Transformation occurs as the family begins to embody these shifts, experiencing real, tangible change in their relationships, their well-being, and their collective energy.

And finally, co-creation is the natural result—a new reality, intentionally designed and consciously lived. When families step into this creative power, they no longer feel like victims of their circumstances but rather architects of their destiny.

This shift is not about perfection; it’s about presence. It’s about showing up, moment by moment, with the willingness to see things differently, to choose love over fear, and to create a space where healing can unfold organically.

This is where the sacred transition truly takes root. It’s in the small, seemingly insignificant moments—the way we listen to one another, the way we respond instead of react, the way we hold space for each other’s growth. Each act of awareness, each step toward freedom, strengthens the collective energy of the family and, by extension, the world.

As I reflect on my own journey, I see how these principles have transformed not only my personal experience but also the way my family interacts and evolves. We are not perfect, nor do we strive to be. Instead, we strive to be real, to be present, and to honor the sacredness of our shared journey.

For anyone reading this, I invite you to explore these seven superpowers within your own family. Even if you start with just one—belief—watch how it begins to shift the energy around you. Healing doesn’t require grand gestures; it begins with the simple yet powerful choice to see things differently.

And in doing so, we step into our true power—not just as individuals but as families, as communities, and as a collective awakening to the limitless potential that has always been within us.

Scott Allan, a Spirit Medium and author of In the Presence of Light: A Funeral Director’s Journey from Mourning to Mediumship, is a well-known figure in the world of spiritual healing. He’s appeared on the Dark Echoes Paranormal TV show on Amazon Prime Video and Paraflixx. To learn more about Scott, visit www.mediumscottallan.com.

For more insights, listen to Scott’s full interview with Dr. Bohnhoffhere: Spreaker Interview.