CPD Day for Therapists
Thriving through Trauma
Date:         Friday, 29th May 2020

Location:    Beechfield, Edwyn Ralph, Herefordshire, HR7 4LX

Timing:       10.00 - 4.00

​Title:           Systemic Supervision : Awareness | Acceptance | Appreciation

This workshop is for therapists, counsellors, coaches and trainees.  During this interactive and experiential workshop the following will be included:
  • Exploring internal processes and the impact of sessions 
  • Conceptualising cases from a frame of 'possibilities' and resources
  • Reflecting on the roles within therapy sessions 
  • Understanding the power relationship in sessions
  • Use of process questions to help the client explore their subjective experience
  • Setting 3 types of goals and outcomes with clients
  • Thinking ethically, acting ethically
  • Maintaining congruence
  • Facilitating transformational change
  • Use of self
Vicarious Trauma (VT) is becoming traumatised by our client’s trauma; having “long-term alterations in cognitive schemas, beliefs, expectations, assumptions about self and others” McCann & Pearlman ’90; As with Figley’s early model (Secondary traumatisation ’95) this is considered an inevitable consequence.

It important to have ways to limit VT for:
·       Preventing burn out; maximising effectiveness with clients; extending ‘shelf life’
·       Stopping our clients (psychologically) coming home with us, infiltrating our ‘personal space’
·       Avoiding losing our sense of agency and feeling disempowered
·       Increasing awareness of CT, noticing early signs of compassion fatigue
·       Maintaining the ability to create connection and strong therapeutic alliance
·       Practicing self-care, growth and resilience (congruence of trauma and growth co-existing)

Recognising VT
·       Physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms like traumatised clients (Pearlman & Saakvitne; Sexton)
o   Intrusive thoughts
o   Avoidance
o   Hypervigilance
·       Thinking about clients longer than normal, loosening of boundaries
·       Dissociation during sessions (and other countertransference signals)
·       Isolation from friends/family
·       Disengaging in routine self-care

Limiting VT
·       Supervision
·       Reflexive practice
·       Mindfulness practice and other adaptive coping strategies
·       Strengthening positive relationships, family and friends
·       Evaluate twice: extend learning and generate satisfaction
·       Maintain boundaries
·       Practice self-care

What if we limit ways of VT…
Vicarious traumatic growth, for self and others
Vicarious resilience for “enhanced wellbeing” and strategies for supporting others in “coping and protection from future adverse material” Hernandex, Gansel & Engstrom 2007

Contact me on 07966 453387 Sharon@sharonrooke.co.uk if you have been affected by vicarious trauma.  One off supervision sessions are available for working with trauma and dissociation.