Trauma-Informed Care And Transference

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Transference and countertransference can either help or negatively impact a counselling relationship. When working with the effects of trauma in a client’s life, both concepts may occur and need to be understood in order to provide the best possible outcome. In this essay, transference, countertransference, and trauma-informed care will all be discussed, as well as how both concepts are to be understood in relation to trauma-informed care in counselling. Sigmund Freud initially developed the concepts of transference and countertransference to better understand the phenomenon within psychoanalysis, where old feelings get transferred by the client onto the counsellor, or by the counsellor onto the client (Van, 2012). Transference can be defined …show more content…

Trauma is a physical or emotionally damaging event, or series of events that are experienced by an individual and have lasting detrimental effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being (SAMHSA, as cited Wall, Higgins, & Hunter, 2016). Considering that trauma can result in psychological issues, such as, recurrent traumatic dreams, isolation, anxiety, hyperactivity, depression, and even suicide, trauma-informed care is a very important concept (Caltabiano, Sarafino, & Byre, 2008). Wall, Higgins, and Hunter (2016) explain that trauma-informed care is lacking a clearly articulated definition, however, do define trauma-informed care as a framework for a human service delivery which is based on knowledge and understanding of trauma, how it affects and influences peoples lives, and what services are required to …show more content…

Interpersonal trauma can be defined as “prolonged and repeated exposure to chronic, multiple, and repeated abuse within relationships, which give rise to complex PTS symptoms” (Sanderson, 2009, p.23). Such abuse is frequently committed by someone the individual is attached to or dependant on, or someone who is in a position of trust (Sanderson, 2009). Sanderson, 2009 provides examples of interpersonal trauma which commonly occurs in sexual assault by a partner or acquaintance, child or elder abuse, child sexual abuse, and abuse by professionals. An example of interpersonal trauma could be an individual being taken advantage of and abused by someone in a position of power and trust, such a parent, a teacher, a police officer, or even a

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