What are trailheads in therapy?

In therapy, "trailheads" refer to starting points along a journey of self-discovery and healing. According to Dr. Richard Schwartz, featured on the Tim Ferriss Show, trailheads are triggered by certain behaviors, emotions, or experiences that, although initially appearing negative, can lead us to deeper insights and unresolved issues. For instance, if someone who had previously struggled with alcoholism relapses, this event is seen as a trailhead. By exploring the emotions and thoughts associated with the relapse, therapy can navigate to deeper underlying issues that need to be addressed for true healing. This approach is in line with viewing symptoms as openings to discover and heal parts of oneself that have been ignored or suppressed 1.