How Do You Cope With Triggers When Helping Others Process Their Own Trauma?

[Leisel]

I'm in school right now for social work and my plan is to work in child welfare, so this is a question I've had in the back of my mind but been too hesitant to consciously think about but have needed to lately.
I am also in a leadership role in a sort of organization and sometimes it means helping the kids in my group process what is going on in their own lives and sometimes that is really hard for me. I'm able to completely put myself aside in the moment but sometimes I get really triggered after, or I feel like I wasn't good enough, you know?
Do you have any input for situations like that?

 

[Deleted member 541]

I think that having really good and strong coping/grounding skills would be a must for someone that does this kind of stuff.

 

[Gs172003]

I asked something similar recently as I would like to foster parent but am afraid of making things worse on them. I hope you get the answers you need!

 

[kath3141]

My husband and I both have PTSD. We've been married 18 years and have discovered our triggers & stressors are quite divergent. Fortunately, this means we've been available to support the other.

My husband supports me with a caring and empathetic understanding when I'm going through a rough patch. Because a relationship of trust exists he can be challenge me in a way that allows me to regain perspective. I think this works with him recently because he's gained my trust.

I think the question for you is unique to this in that the relationship is definitely one sided.... I work in a trauma / psych hospital and am nearing completion of a masters level therapy degree....

....I see my therapist monthly and discuss these issues. Self-care is critical, constant reminders of those coping tools, - willingness to learn from others are critical....

I'm learning one critical lesson here: I can provide others no more than I am willing or able to provide myself

 

[Jim Me]

I've been a T for more than a decade, and I 'm starting to think that I benefit my clients by being very, very me.
I plan to start telling my clients, not what I can do for them in therapy, but I will sincerely try to do for them. Because, l can do those things very well sometimes, and can only do them not so well other time. I think I may even starting to pause and recenter in the session if I am being triggered into something that would not be good for the client. And to let them know, because not only might it be an example of self-care, but it might also be that the client is near flashback and in need of a pause.

What do you think or feel about this?

 

[Jim Me]

I asked something similar recently as I would like to foster parent but am afraid of making things worse...

I'm a foster parent with cptsd, and my wife has something. Actually we adopted the child. We are good enough parents. No one can be better than good enough. Does that help? Does that even sound believable?

 

[Gs172003]

I'm a foster parent with cptsd, and my wife has something. Actually we adopted the child. We are good en...

Thank you

 

[digger]

I think I may even starting to pause and recenter in the session if I am being triggered into something that would not be good for the client. And to let them know, because not only might it be an example of self-care, but it might also be that the client is near flashback and in need of a pause.

What do you think or feel about this?

Honestly - I would not be happy with this as a client. I expect my T to be able to contain their own shit and deal with it outside of my session with them. If I'm needing a pause because I'm triggered, that's one thing. If my T is getting triggered in my sessions and making a show of it, I'm going to be questioning whether they are up to the job.

 

[Deleted member 541]

@digger If I could like your post 1000 times I would.

@Jim Me My T, also had PTSD, and never once did he lose it during my sessions. He did one time have tears running down his face when I told him some shit in one session. He said he didn't know how I survived the abuse, but he never lost it, and was never triggered.

He was professional, he made the session about me, my trauma, and how I could apply techniques to deal with my shit. If I had a T that was triggered, and had to deal with his own shit in session, I'd fire his ass, and find a new one. Therapy is about the CLIENT, not the therapist.

 

[Jim Me]

@digger If I could like your post 1000 times I would.

@Jim Me...

.
@digger and @She Cat
I agree that I would not want to make the session about me, and I can see how my post looks like that's what I was saying. I probably shouldn't have asked "What do you think or feel about this?" without checking my wording before hitting "reply...".
I don't think your therapist or any therapist with personal buttons doesn't manage some triggers when they are in session. It doesn't mean that you see it (the triggering or even the pause).

Anyway, I can't blame you for what you said, since I asked.

 

[raspberry]

i adopted my half sister 5 years ago. since she has come to be with me i have suffered terrible flashbacks, triggers, it has truly been very very hard.
it is not her fault, but the association of who she is and what that has to do with my very traumatic past has been bad for me.
i won't ever give up on her. i know it's me that has the problem and she will never know
just be careful