5 Min Read / Listen

In the realm of Counselling and psychotherapy, trauma-informed care is not just a buzzword; it's a transformative approach to therapy that recognises the widespread impact of trauma. It aims to create a safe environment that empowers individuals to regain a sense of control. However, working with trauma is a delicate and often challenging task that requires specialised knowledge and skills. This is where our course on trauma-informed practice comes into play.

According to a recent survey in our Facebook group, an astounding 45% of therapists who took our course reported feeling more confident in their ability to work with trauma-affected individuals.

But why is this statistic so significant?

Knowledge Matters

Firstly, confidence in this context is not mere self-assurance; it's a reflection of competence. Therapists who feel confident will likely have a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in trauma work. This includes recognising the signs and sy...

Trauma is a toxic time machine. It can take us back to the moment of the trauma, over and over again, in our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. An isolating and debilitating experience, which can feel like there is no coming back from

Before I became a Counsellor, I fostered aspirations of being a photographer. I would regularly get on the train and visit my hometown of Manchester to spend hours walking the streets, photographing people and places, and developing (no pun intended) my skills as a street photographer.

One of the most well-used phrases in photography is' the decisive moment', a term used to describe the instant when all the elements of a scene come together to create a perfect photograph.

This moment is often fleeting and can be challenging to capture, but it can create a truly iconic image when it is.

On a cold October day in 1999, I captured a decisive moment. However, it was not in the form of a picture. It was in an interaction with a person I had phot...

Recently I conducted a poll in the Counselling Tutor Facebook group. 

I asked the question.

"How much trauma-informed Infomation did you receive as a student?" 

I posed three possible responses - 

1. None at all
2. Some but not enough 
3. Well covered 

At the time of writing, 100 people had responded (A useful number if, like me, you are poor at working out percentages...)

The responses were as follows -

1. None at all, 52% (52 people)
2. Some but not enough 41% (41 People)
3. Well covered 7% (7 People)

I was not surprised by these figures. Historically initial training has always focused on the meta-models of therapy, such as psychodynamic, Person-Centred, Cognitive Behavioural or an integrative mix of therapeutic models. 

These models stand up well to contemporary research, and all who train student counsellors would acknowledge that an in-depth understanding and practice of the chosen model is essential before moving on to more complex and integrative ways of practising.

L...

3 Min Read / Listen

In my experience, trauma is something that other people experience; none of us will think that it may happen to us.

What happens if we put ourselves in a situation where there is a genuine possibility we may become traumatised or even re-traumatised?

For example, recently, I received a summons for jury service. In the UK, attendance is mandatory, with a fine of £1000,00 and a criminal record for non-attendance.

You can, in some instances, be excused from jury service. However, the process can be long-winded, and you may have to justify your reasons to the judge, which many may find daunting.

The court staff were very receptive to any potential juror who may find court service daunting or need help to listen to the evidence.
It did strike me that those who serve on a jury may become vicariously traumatised by the evidence or the testimony of the victims.

Vicarious trauma refers to the emotional and psychological impact experienced by individuals who are indirect...