We spoke to a therapist about why Sansa is your new favorite character on Game of Thrones
Over the past two seasons, Sansa Stark has finally come into her own as one of the strongest and savviest characters on Game of Thrones. Her journey has been one marked by trauma: She was forced to watch her father die, endured nonstop abuse from Joffrey, and was raped multiple times by her second husband, Ramsay Bolton. And now (after killing Ramsay and taking her rightful place as the Lady of Winterfell) she has become many people’s favorite character. And as clinical psychologist (plus author of the upcoming choose-your-own-adventure self-help fantasy book, Therapy Quest) Dr. Janina Scarlet explained to us, there’s a reason for why that is.
In an email to HelloGiggles, Scarlet wrote that Sansa exhibits post-traumatic growth, a phenomenon that causes someone who has lived through traumatic events to undergo positive changes as a result.
"These positive changes might manifest in making meaning out of the individual’s trauma, increased sense of one’s interpersonal strength and resilience, better defined core values, and closer relationships with others," Scarlet wrote in her email. "For instance, someone who experienced a loss, abuse, or an assault might develop a passion for helping others, and in doing so, may find meaning and a sense of purpose, which can help them in recovering from their traumatic experience."
Scarlet noted that Sansa has become “the epitome of a survivor.” She has grown into a courageous and capable leader who protects her family and respects her allies, such as Brienne and Theon.
"For many of us, seeing Sansa’s traumatic origins can be a point of connection, reminding us that just like Sansa we too may hold the pain of our past in our hearts," Scarlet told HelloGiggles. "However, seeing her fight against her perpetrators and her ability to connect with her sense of purpose can be a powerful reminder that just like Sansa, we too can be the heroes of our own journey."
We still don’t know what’s in store for Sansa as Game of Thrones comes to an end, but the way that she has overcome her past already makes her a hero in our eyes.
If you’re interested in Dr. Scarlet’s self-help fantasy book (which is designed to help readers with depression, anxiety, and PTSD) you can pre-order it here. She is also the author of Superhero Therapy: A Hero’s Journey through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Harry Potter Therapy: An Unauthorized Self-Help Book from the Restricted Section, both available on Amazon.
