This qualitative study explored the factors that help counsellors exposed to indirect trauma thrive personally and professionally, and sustain their engagement in trauma counselling work. The existing literature details the challenges of indirect trauma exposure in trauma work. However, the ways in which counsellors are able to derive rewards and maintain their engagement in trauma counselling work are less well recognised. The study used a grounded theory approach, with semistructured interviews conducted with 18 therapists. The study found four main interrelating themes: thriving in trauma work; navigating the empathic journey; empathic stamina and engaging in self-reflexivity; and sustaining interest and commitment. Important factors included attending to both the adverse and rewarding aspects of trauma work, having access to appropriate support structures, and incorporating variability and diversity in the work. This study extends the current understanding of the processes, practices, and strategies that promote the rewarding and sustaining aspects of trauma counselling work.
(Publisher abstract)
This qualitative study explored the factors that help counsellors exposed to indirect trauma thrive personally and professionally, and sustain their engagement in trauma counselling work. The existing literature details the challenges of indirect trauma exposure in trauma work. However, the ways in which counsellors are able to derive rewards and maintain their engagement in trauma counselling work are less well recognised. The study used a grounded theory approach, with semistructured interviews conducted with 18 therapists. The study found four main interrelating themes: thriving in trauma work; navigating the empathic journey; empathic stamina and engaging in self-reflexivity; and sustaining interest and commitment. Important factors included attending to both the adverse and rewarding aspects of trauma work, having access to appropriate support structures, and incorporating variability and diversity in the work. This study extends the current understanding of the processes, practices, and strategies that promote the rewarding and sustaining aspects of trauma counselling work.
(Publisher abstract)
British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 39(3), June 2011, pp.197-208.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
The aim of this study was to investigate predictors of outcome of counselling for occupational stress. The study examined a range of demographic, counselling-related and personality factors and used mean change scores of 3 outcome measures. The participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: 30 received face-to-face counselling, and 30 received telephone counselling. The factors...
The aim of this study was to investigate predictors of outcome of counselling for occupational stress. The study examined a range of demographic, counselling-related and personality factors and used mean change scores of 3 outcome measures. The participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: 30 received face-to-face counselling, and 30 received telephone counselling. The factors associated with treatment outcome were investigated using regression analyses with the mean change scores in 3 self-rated measures: the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Scale (CORE); the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The participants were assessed prior to the intervention, post-intervention, and at 4-months follow-up. The overall pattern of results is one of similar predictors across outcome measures and assessment points. In particular, it was found that the more severe the baseline symptomatology, the higher the degree of change was achieved. Demographic factors, intervention-related factors, and personality factors were not found to be significantly associated with the outcome of counselling. Clinical relevance of the results and directions for future research are discussed.
International Social Work, 44(1), January 2001, pp.75-91.
Publisher:
Sage
Experiences of help-seeking among the sample of 250 social work students were explored. A model of the reciprocal relationship between the situation prompting help-seeking, the social and cultural context, and the individual's feelings was used to analyze the data. The results support the reciprocal link between the type of help-seeking situation, feelings and utilized resources, and show that Hong Kong social work students carry a heavy cultural load of preconceptions relating to help-seeking.
Experiences of help-seeking among the sample of 250 social work students were explored. A model of the reciprocal relationship between the situation prompting help-seeking, the social and cultural context, and the individual's feelings was used to analyze the data. The results support the reciprocal link between the type of help-seeking situation, feelings and utilized resources, and show that Hong Kong social work students carry a heavy cultural load of preconceptions relating to help-seeking.
Subject terms:
self-help groups, stress, student social workers, counselling;
Although it has become a fashionable topic, the stress of working life is undeniably taking its toll on employees and costing employers a lot of money. This article reports on attempts to tackle both the symptoms and the causes.
Although it has become a fashionable topic, the stress of working life is undeniably taking its toll on employees and costing employers a lot of money. This article reports on attempts to tackle both the symptoms and the causes.
Looks at various options organisations have in staff support - in-house counselling, Employee Assistance Programmes, and the Counselling Help and Advice Together programme run by the Royal College of Nursing.
Looks at various options organisations have in staff support - in-house counselling, Employee Assistance Programmes, and the Counselling Help and Advice Together programme run by the Royal College of Nursing.
Subject terms:
social services, social workers, stress, counselling;
Practice: Social Work in Action, 5(4), 1991, pp.299-312.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Reports on a series of workshops in stress and time management offered to people recovering from mental illness. The membership and content of the workshops, as well as consumer feedback are described and discussed. The suggestion is that such training could become part of social work practice.
Reports on a series of workshops in stress and time management offered to people recovering from mental illness. The membership and content of the workshops, as well as consumer feedback are described and discussed. The suggestion is that such training could become part of social work practice.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, stress, counselling, groupwork;
Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research, 4(4), 2012, pp.226-236.
Publisher:
Emerald
This study investigated the difficulties facing personnel returning from stressful combat situations, and how they may best be helped. It examined the experiences of military personnel who have served in combat, concentrating on how events in combat impacted on their subsequent transition back to the UK. Data were drawn from semi-structured interviews with 15 military personnel who had returned
This study investigated the difficulties facing personnel returning from stressful combat situations, and how they may best be helped. It examined the experiences of military personnel who have served in combat, concentrating on how events in combat impacted on their subsequent transition back to the UK. Data were drawn from semi-structured interviews with 15 military personnel who had returned from active combat. Six major themes were found: the importance of being part of a group – this provided collective identity; shared experience – personnel preferred to seek support from individuals with similar experiences; help-seeking – personnel preferred to seek help from friends as opposed to professionals; professionalism and emotional processing – the “macho” approaches in the military may prevent real help-seeking and emotional disclosure; and relationships and family – there were adjustments to be made in regard to personal relationships. The authors concluded that it would be of benefit to service personnel if those in helping professions who are working with them, also had experience of combat, and family counselling may be of benefit for personnel and their families.
Children and Schools, 31(4), October 2009, pp.219-228.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
This article addresses how school social workers can decrease overload in their roles. A two-step process of envisioning an ideal role is outlined: (1) identifying priorities and activities that are effective or in need of expansion and (2) weeding out activities that could be done differently or no longer serve their purpose. The author encourages school social workers to provide monthly written reports to their supervisors to communicate accomplishments and secure the leverage needed to make systematic role changes. Because many school social workers struggle with burgeoning caseloads, the author advocates using a fundamental question to qualify students for counselling and using a universal screening process before seeing students in regular education. For students who cannot be seen regularly, suggestions are provided for strengthening the referral process. Examples of two-for-one activities - in which one activity may support two groups of students in different ways - are provided, as are examples of how social workers can pass on the programs they start so the programs become self-sustaining. Finally, the author addresses administrative issues - for example, use of flex time and relevant professional development days to ensure that social workers make the most of their time and do not have to work overtime.
This article addresses how school social workers can decrease overload in their roles. A two-step process of envisioning an ideal role is outlined: (1) identifying priorities and activities that are effective or in need of expansion and (2) weeding out activities that could be done differently or no longer serve their purpose. The author encourages school social workers to provide monthly written reports to their supervisors to communicate accomplishments and secure the leverage needed to make systematic role changes. Because many school social workers struggle with burgeoning caseloads, the author advocates using a fundamental question to qualify students for counselling and using a universal screening process before seeing students in regular education. For students who cannot be seen regularly, suggestions are provided for strengthening the referral process. Examples of two-for-one activities - in which one activity may support two groups of students in different ways - are provided, as are examples of how social workers can pass on the programs they start so the programs become self-sustaining. Finally, the author addresses administrative issues - for example, use of flex time and relevant professional development days to ensure that social workers make the most of their time and do not have to work overtime.
Subject terms:
school social workers, stress, workload, caseload, counselling;
Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 8(1), March 2008, pp.12-20.
Publisher:
Wiley
...analyses to control confounding, women who had consulted a counsellor/psychologist/social worker in the previous year (6.9%) were found to have increased odds of higher stress, life satisfaction, and perceived control, and lower optimism. They also had higher odds of: experiencing more life events over the previous 12 months, changed health status compared with a year ago, taking more prescribed
Despite high rates of psychological distress in the Australian community, particularly among middle-aged women, use of counselling and psychological services is relatively low. This study examined self-reported use of counselling in the previous year among a population-based sample of 11,201 Australian women aged 50-55, and describes the profile of women who seek counselling. Using multivariate analyses to control confounding, women who had consulted a counsellor/psychologist/social worker in the previous year (6.9%) were found to have increased odds of higher stress, life satisfaction, and perceived control, and lower optimism. They also had higher odds of: experiencing more life events over the previous 12 months, changed health status compared with a year ago, taking more prescribed medications, living in urban versus rural areas, having university versus no formal education, living alone or with others rather than with a spouse/partner, and having ancillary versus full private health insurance. This multivariate profile is discussed in relation to the delivery, marketing, and accessibility of counselling services in the Australian community. The implications for counsellor training and the future development of the profession are also discussed.
Subject terms:
quality of life, stress, surveys, women, counselling;