My Self Care Journey

Social work introduced itself to me at a very young, and tender age. Growing up in foster care, not being able to see my parents, watching as family members died before I could say goodbye, and constantly being called orphan in school, taught me a great deal about the scars I would carry for the rest of my life. While I tried to play the role of a normal kid, hanging with friends, telling stories of happy childhood memories, it was simply a mask to hide that I knew my scars were burning inside me, that happiness wasn’t a luxury I could enjoy. Going from foster home to foster home was a reminder of that unaffordable luxury, and soon I grew to be so insecure that I could not function without having someone tell me what to do, or reassure me that

As stated before, my journey in social work hasn’t been straightforward, yet one life experiences have

Trauma can be defined as an event or experience that hinders an individual’s ability to cope (Covington, 2008). These experiences have the power to alter biology and brain function, especially earlier on in life. Trauma can change an individual’s world-view, impacting their sense of self. This can lead to difficulties with self-regulation and higher incidences of impulsive behavior (Markoff et al., 2005). Often, individuals who have endured traumatic incidences turn to self-medication as a form of coping (De Bellis, 2002).

The term “Psychological trauma” refers to damage wrought from a traumatic event, which that damages one’s ability to cope with stressors. “Trauma” is commonly defined as an exposure to a situation in which a person is confronted with an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to self or others’ physical well-being (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Specific types of client trauma frequently encountered by which therapists and other mental health workers frequently encounter in a clinical setting include sexual abuse, physical , or sexual assault, natural disasters such as earthquakes or tsunamis, domestic violence, and school or/and work related violence (James & Gilliland, 2001). Traumatic

A trauma informed model of practice should centre upon a perspective that asks the client user ‘what happened to you’ rather than ‘what is wrong with you’ (Bloom and Farragher). This approach promotes the base line for which the service should be impliemented; an approach which enable to cliet to connect how their trauma has influence their behaviour, feelings, coping mechanisim and general perspective (Felitti et al. 1998). Staff within the home should have a good degree of trauma informed care as this enable for a deeper understanding of how the trauma can impact upon the individual and allow for holistic care (Harris and Fallot, 2001) and enables better support and help reduce to protential for re-tramatisation via triggers and uncousious re-enactment of trauma (SAMHSA, 2010). Implementing the above approach the client can receive the holistic carer they require in order to begin to overcome the trauma they have experienced.

With this experience it prompted me to go into therapy, however when I began to practice as a therapist intern. I still felt unfulfilled, I felt that I wasn’t doing enough for my clients. After approx. 5 years of that, I spoke with a social worker, and I then realized that becoming a social worker is what I needed to do. I needed to become a wraparound service for my clients.

In therapy, I discovered that I was codependent. I was constantly manipulated by my mother, desperately needing her approval, but to no avail. As I learned to cope with everything my mother had put and puts me through, I realized my self-worth. I was able to help people again. Not only could I help people again, but I willingly accepted help, especially from my therapist. I would talk for four sessions in a row with her never saying anything, and I would reach the conclusions to the problems myself. That’s when I realized that a therapist is exactly what I want to be for the rest of my life.

from my past that was being triggered by attuning and caring for my traumatized children. I had

Goodman, R. D. (2015). Trauma counseling and interventions: Introduction to the special issue. Journal Of Mental Health Counseling, 37(4), 283-294.

"I think the biggest thing that helped me was the support of my friends and family," Cyntrise says. "After leaving a very physically and mentally abusive relationship, I had no where to go, but back home. My parents took me back with open arms and supported me through those very rough years. "

Better Way of Miami (BWOM) treatment center has made it a priority to make sure that its administrative staff and therapists have knowledge about trauma and how it has played a significant role in disrupting clients' ability to have healthy interpersonal dynamics, interpersonal relationships, and life- management. Further, BWOM appears to be a trauma-informed organization that integrates “best practice” trauma-informed therapy in IC’s sessions and therapeutic intervention groups in order impact to educate clients how to set boundaries, seek safety, and coping skills against triggers that can otherwise be hazardous to their overall well-being.

I have had the distinct privilege and honor of practicing the art of nursing since 2000. Throughout this time, I have seen the profession evolve through technology, practice and theory. With the recent and constant change created by the healthcare reform, today’s nurse must realize that learning is a lifelong process that does not end upon graduation. The nurse is never done learning, especially as technology and medical knowledge are constantly evolving. My most recent endeavor has been the pursuit of my Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Western Carolina University. This education has broadened my mind to the opportunities nursing has to offer and has enriched my personal and professional goals.

Our life experiences play a large role in shaping who we are as people. My childhood experiences influenced the woman that I am today. My father was abusive. He abused my mother, my siblings, and myself. Whether it was a domestic assault against my mother, slapping of my siblings, or a daily cursing session, our house has always been in turmoil. There were adults that knew about the abuse going on in my home, including teachers. However, none of them intervened for my brothers and I. I cannot help but wonder how my life would have been different if someone had. Experiencing child abuse, as well as my mother’s domestic abuse, is my greatest catalyst in pursing a graduate degree in social work. Pablo Picasso once said, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” Child abuse could have broken my spirit but it made me stronger. It sparked my interest in mental health, and showed me the importance of compassion. I plan to use my gift to help others improve their quality of mental health, and encourage the development of self-determination.

“Traumatic losses, manmade and natural, test the resilience of those who experience them. How individuals react to national crises and traumatic events, and the factors that promote resilience or increase the risk for problems following trauma” (National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). It is very important to know how to work with traumatized patients and what their needs are. Traumatized can affect many people in many different ways. A traumatized patient may experience a situation that was very troubled for them but may not be for others. Here we will talk about the specific needs and methods used to communicate effectively with a patient who is experiencing trauma in their life.

When I decided to take the trauma course, I was hesitant at first to take it. I did not know what to expect nor felt I would be prepare listen to stories about traumatic occurrences, despite of the number of years I have worked in the field of community mental health. Therefore, now that we are in week eight, I am delighted to have taken this course. The impression I had at first, has changed my insight concerning what is trauma, as for many years, I did not understand why a person in many instances, could not process their trauma. In a quote by Chang stated, “The greater the doubt, the greater the awakening; the smaller the doubt, the smaller the awakening. No doubt, no awakening” (Van Der Kolk, 2014, p. 22). The goes in congruence with my understanding on trauma and how it has changed during this course. As a result, I feel I am awakening when acquiring more about trauma.