Trauma Counselling

Question 1

What is trauma and the 3 common elements of it?

Answer 1

Single/repeated experiences that overwhelms one’s ability to cope.
1. it was unexpected
2. the person was unprepared
3. there was nothing the person could do to stop it

Question 2

What is crisis and trauma?

Answer 2

C- Critical life event that can lead to negative consequences. Can lead to trauma but not necessarily.
T- pervasive reactions that impact all parts of someone’s life, associated with negative mental/physical health outcomes (PTSD, depression, cancer, liver disease, CVS disease…)

Question 3

3 types of crises?

Answer 3

1. Normal- considered part of life (breakup, death of loved ones, job loss, divorces)
2. Here and now- demand rapid action (flood, fire, earthquake, shooting, assault, sudden dx)
3. Adverse child experiences (ACE)- Crisis in childhood (often leads to long lasting trauma, examples- bullying, parent divorce, moving, parent illness/death)

Question 4

Effect of ACEs?

Answer 4

Potentially traumatizing experiences in first 18 yrs of life. Adults who experience 4+ ACEs are 12x more likely to experience adverse health outcomes. ACEs have lasting effects of health (obesity ,diabetes, depression, suicide), behaviours (smoking, alcohol and drug use) and life potential (graduation rates, academic achievement).

Question 5

ACEs impact on life continuum?

Answer 5

ACEs lead to- disrupted neurodevlopement- social/emotional/cognitive impairment- adoption of health risk behaviours- impact on life potential- disease/disability/social problems- early death

Question 6

What is historical trauma and the impact on families?

Answer 6

Cumulative emotional/psychological wounding accords generations (residential schools). Impacts- unresolved grief, difficulty parenting, family violence, loss of stories/tradition/identity

Question 7

What are some rest of trauma r/t body and life?

Answer 7

Changes in brain, compromised immune system (likely to be sick), less trust, attachment difficulties, conflict in relationships, rigid/chaotic behaviour, physical/mental stress, and hyper-vigilance

Question 8

2 phases of crisis/trauma counselling?

Answer 8

1. Working through initial trauma
2. Appropriate follow up and counselling

Question 9

Trauma counselling/4 principles?

Answer 9

Most pragmatic/action orientated form of helping and its concerned with action/useful result for the client. It recognizes any pt seeking healthcare might have hx of trauma/they need a safe environment.
4 principles- trauma has widespread impacts/theres many path for recovery, it’s important to recognizes S+S of trauma, knowledge about trauma needs to be integrated in all systems, and it’s important no to re-traumatize.

Question 10

5 values of trauma informed care?

Answer 10

1. Safety- physical/emotional, protection of self/others, need to create welcoming environment, embrace diversity, ask what safety looks like to pt
2. Trustworthiness- clear expectations/consistent boundaries, provide clear info/maintain confidentiality
3. Choice- inform about options available, allow self determination/autonomy, be flexible with boundaries
4. Collaboration- working with not doing for, seek feedback/explore pt perspective, acknowledge power dynamics
5. Empowerment- recognize resiliency/encourage hope, build on strengths, validate/affirm

Question 11

7 parts of the road to resilience triangle model?

Answer 11

1. Safety- what pt needs for safety/survival now, connect them to resource, reassure crisis is over
2. Calming/caring- establish therapeutic relationship, show pt you care/listen, don’t minimize crisis
3. Normalizing- rather than victims/survivors recognize that they’re reacting in way anyone would
4. Debrief the story- client need to tell their stories again/again, listen to them, paraphrase/summarize/reflect feelings
5. Assess strengths/resources- watch for strengths/resilience signs
6. Action/Advocacy- ask what they need now, don’t overpromise, answer questions honestly/clear
7. Follow up- arrange to meet for debrief, referrals

Question 12

How can we support resilience?

Answer 12

Acknowledge the persons ability to not only survive but grow from adversity. Recognize strength it took for person to get to that place and use trauma informed language. What does the path of healing look like for you?

Question 13

4 Rs of Trauma informed care to prevent ACEs?

Answer 13

1. Realize links between ACEs and poor health outcomes
2. Recognize signs of trauma
3. Respond using trauma informed principles
4. Resists re-traumatization through advocacy/public policy development

Question 14

Who is Eduardo Duran?

Answer 14

He is an indigenous USA man that wrote a book about healing the soul wound, and the perspectives of Indigenous people.

Question 15

What is meaning of psychotherapy- Duran?

Answer 15

Psycho- spirit/soul
Therapy- healing
So soul healing

Question 16

Duran’s views of colonization?

Answer 16

He says Indg people continue to be treated with colonizing methods/therapies and this often leads to more problems. Western diagnoses give people a label and this becomes a naming ceremony which is harmful (blames the person).

Question 17

Duran’s views on western medicine and natural law?

Answer 17

WM- all about cutting something out, removing something, and destroying something
NL- in Indg beliefs says you can’t kill something but instead you need to shape shift it into something else, engage with it rather than get rid of it

Question 18

Duran’s views about spirit?

Answer 18

Spirits don’t die even when you do and the perpetrator themselves was infected with this energy. We need to trace the energy back to who brought it in the first place (colonizers)

Question 19

Duran’s views on dreams?

Answer 19

Dreams is where psychotherapy begins. Dreams are the original medicine and through dreams, the Creator speaks to you. Has similar views to Freud about dreams

Question 20

Humour in therapy- Duran?

Answer 20

It’s essential in therapy and it shows their true self. Laughter opens the spiritual door so medicine can enter.

Question 21

Self healing according to Duran?

Answer 21

We are all wounded from colonization. It’s essential to work of self healing/self awareness.