The Windshield Wiper Metaphor – Explaining Childhood Sexual Trauma and Functional Dissociation
- Brainz Magazine
- Dec 1
- 3 min read
Written by Lindsey Leavitt, Transformational Coach
Lindsey Leavitt is a transformational coach. Her expertise stems from her lived experience of abuse, mental illness, and chronic pain. Lindsey's transformation has inspired her to utilize her knowledge and abilities as an artist/musician to advocate, empower, and lift others.
To fully grasp the psychological impact of childhood sexual trauma, one must consider the metaphor of the child tied to a windshield wiper. In this metaphor, the child’s experience is bifurcated: the wiper is expected to perform a function – clearing the path for the driver – while enduring the storm’s relentless force. The child, tied to this wiper, is simultaneously expected to function in daily life – perform in school, interact socially – while being subjected to the ongoing, often invisible storm of trauma.
Dissociation and cognitive load
Dissociation is a common response to trauma, allowing the survivor to separate from the emotional and physical reality of the abuse. In this metaphor, dissociation can be seen as the mechanism that allows the wiper to keep moving, sweeping away the rain just long enough for the child to focus. However, dissociation does not eliminate the storm, it only creates a temporary buffer. The child is left oscillating between the external demands of performance and the internal chaos of trauma, much like the wiper’s endless back-and-forth motion.
The cognitive load imposed by this dual existence is immense. Research shows that survivors of childhood trauma often experience difficulties with memory, attention, and learning, which can be directly traced to the brain’s constant state of hypervigilance. The child, tied to the wiper, must continuously expend energy to suppress the trauma just to meet basic expectations, leaving them exhausted and overwhelmed.
The role of the external environment
In this metaphor, the driver represents the societal expectations placed upon the child – be it teachers, parents, or peers – who often have little awareness of the storm that rages. The driver’s focus is on the road ahead, not the wiper itself. This represents the disconnect between what the child is experiencing internally and the external demands placed upon them. The wiper may be moving, seemingly performing its function, but the child is still tied, still at the mercy of the storm, and still struggling with the trauma that continues to fall.
It is crucial that the external environment – teachers, caregivers, and peers – become trauma-informed. This means recognizing the signs of functional dissociation, understanding that a child’s ability to perform does not equate to wellness, and providing safe spaces where the child can untie themselves from the wiper. Trauma-informed practices emphasize creating environments where performance is not the primary goal, but rather healing and safety.
Neurobiological underpinnings
Research in neurobiology shows that the stress response systems in children who experience trauma are frequently overactivated. This results in structural changes in areas such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, which are key in regulating emotions, memory, and executive function. The windshield wiper metaphor can be understood as a representation of this neurobiological struggle: the wiper’s motion is the child’s survival response, but it is physically and emotionally taxing. The continuous activation of stress responses can impair development, making it even more difficult for the child to break free from the wiper and heal.
Therapeutic interventions
Understanding this metaphor has profound implications for therapy. Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and somatic therapies focus on helping survivors process trauma safely. These interventions work by addressing the storm directly, allowing survivors to untie themselves from the wiper, and move beyond survival mode. The goal is not only to stop the storm but to empower the survivor to reclaim control over their own lives.
Conclusion
The windshield wiper metaphor provides a powerful lens through which we can understand the dual reality faced by survivors of childhood sexual trauma. It illustrates the relentless internal storm and the external expectations placed upon survivors to function, perform, and appear unaffected. By recognizing the toll this takes, we can begin to shift our approach, moving away from demanding performance and toward fostering healing.
As academics, clinicians, and advocates, it is our responsibility to see both the wiper and the storm, and to help survivors untie themselves from that relentless cycle. Only then can we create spaces where survivors can move beyond survival, reclaim their sense of self, and find safety and empowerment.
Read more from Lindsey Leavitt
Lindsey Leavitt, Transformational Coach
Lindsey Leavitt is a transformational coach. She is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). The model focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. Lindsey battled with anxiety and depression throughout her life. She implemented various therapeutic modalities, but none were effective. Finally, Lindsey implemented the DBT approach, which changed her life forever. Now she is helping others take back their power, regain control of their lives, and start living an abundant life.
