When people recognize they need help for themselves, we need to acknowledge their wisdom in asking for support and do everything possible to help them accept and move themselves past these learned patterns that actually successfully kept them alive until this point. We don’t blame them or shame them about their past behaviors but, rather, thank them for trusting us with their history of trauma and allowing us into their private world of healing. We offer a mirror for them to reflect on why they do what they do, and how they can make different choices about living now that they have a witness and supportive resources to support them. We allow them space to practice different responses and communication about the narrative of their life’s challenges, and invite them to creatively re-invent their path toward the future.
These resources help service providers consider key points when working with survivors:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9cvEa5qFQc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53RX2ESIqsM
The distinction of childhood trauma from adult PTSD is covered in this resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxPAt-Esv8Q
There is a steady flow of new titles and perspectives on how we can engage folks in healing from trauma. Here are several links to resources and more information:
http://www.nctsn.org/trauma-types/complex-trauma/effects-of-complex-trauma
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-time-cure/201211/your-brain-trauma
http://www.rachelsvineyard.org/Downloads/Canada%20Conference%2008/TextOfBrainPP.pdf
http://brainblogger.com/2015/01/24/how-does-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-change-the-brain/
Is your organization trauma informed? Find out here: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Is-Your-Organization-Trauma-Informed.pdf