Psychological First Aid ( Pfa )

There are several different assessments that can be used for victims of trauma to determine the level of stress and if a victim is suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The best results will occur if the clinical work is directed at the symptoms expressed by the resulting trauma. When assessing the treatment plan, “the psychic injury caused by the event and its impact on the survivor’s normal life patterns and his or her worldview must be accounted for” (Everstine & Everstine, 2006, p.161). A person

In a trauma informed agency, it’s important that all staff are frequently updated with the principles of trauma informed care (Trauma-Informed Care: A Sociocultural Perspective, 2014). Such principles would involve a collection of resources, evidence based research, academic findings, reports, and quality approaches used by collaborating agencies (Trauma-Informed Care: A Sociocultural Perspective, 2014). Resources are very valuable to staff when they are needing a new strategy, in the case of their clients not responding effectively to former methods (Trauma-Informed Care: A Sociocultural Perspective,

Services provided include Individual Counseling for all ages, Personal Growth Counseling, Family Counseling, Group Counseling and Psychological Aspects of Grief. Issues addressed in counseling may include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, emotional impairments, family dynamics, behavioral problems and anger management. I work from a trauma-informed lens and believe that counseling is more effective and measurable when goals are outlined and mutually agreed upon. The goals and techniques of therapy will be based on each client individually according to their needs.

In Jennifer Cisney’s lecture on “Impact Dynamics of Crisis and Trauma,” she outlined four major goals of Psychological First Aid. Above all the material in Module One, I found this specific material most helpful in my practice because it gives me focal points to ensure I am putting the correct focus on Psychological First Aid that I should. We have been learning the critical important of this First Aid to trauma survivors and how if they can be “triaged” correctly by these First Aid components it greatly impacts the person’s recovery.

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

Trauma-informed care refers to a strength-based framework that is based on an understanding of the impact of trauma. This practice emphasizes on psychological, physical, and emotional safety for the providers, the survivors, and it creates an opportunity for the survivors to rebuild themselves and get a sense of control and empowerment. This practice is based on the growing knowledge about several negative impacts that are brought by psychological trauma (Withers, 2017). To understand more about trauma-informed care, this excerpt will examine what the concept entails, how one can change his or her practice to be more trauma-informed and incorporate Eric's experience in the discussion.

Sullivan, Murray, and Ake (2016) identified that in the child welfare system, the provision of trauma-informed care is particularly critical due to the fact that when compared to other child-servicing systems, it has been determined that within this system, the likelihood of exposure to traumatic events is higher. Their study is focused on the description and evaluation of the first nationally available trauma-informed training resource developed for

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.

In the case study by Ghosh-Ippen, Lieberman, and NCTSN Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma Task Force (2012), Amarika is an 18-month-old girl who witnessed the shooting of her mother Makisha at a neighborhood park. Her mother survived the shooting, but was in the hospital for some time after to recover. Her grandmother, Marlene Lawrence, cared for Amarika. Mrs. Lawrence reported that Amarika was refusing to eat and having difficulty sleeping. This is when the social worker, Carla, was contacted to provide trauma intervention for Amarika.

This method is useful in trauma cases, which result to depression, anger and anxiety. It includes strategies and methods used to help individuals deal with past traumatic events in order to minimize anger and depression. Making an individual remember their past traumatic events enables them deal with their fears (Rizvi, Vogt, & Resick, 2009). The treatment period is dependent on the needs of a client and the healing progress. Edna. B. Foa is the scholar who developed the therapy program she based her study on the treatment of anxiety. Practitioners all over the United States have practiced her strategy on treating trauma caused due to rape, child abuse, motor

Many people come to social workers with a victim mentality, feeling helpless and without a future based on their past. They have been discouraged, beat down and made to feel broken. Being a victim of abuse, trauma, toxic relationships or a victim of assault are all unfortunate circumstances, but they can be overcome. It may seem like a challenge, but it is possible with assistance and God. As social workers we are to provide client’s who have experienced repeated trauma with support and resources to assist them in their journey to a hopeful life. Painful experiences seem to get the best of us at times, but focusing on the client’s ability to survive these horrific events can give the client just the push they need to see that they are a survivor. Helping the client to realize their own strengths and skills used to overcome their trauma, instead of focusing on the trauma itself, is a powerful way to help clients achieve a positive outcome. Kisthardt (1992) states “intervention will work best when there is “an orientation to, and appreciation of, the uniqueness, skills, interests, hopes, and desires of each consumer, rather than a categorical litany of deficits” (p. 60-61). Kaplan and Girard (1994) state “people will be motivated to change and grow when their strengths are

#3) What are goals of the organization? Describe the client populations that they serve and the issues that they address. Explain your interest in the organization.

When working with clients in today’s society it’s extremely important to take into consideration the specific needs of each individual. Serious contemplation is given to the approaches and methods regarding the client’s need and presenting matters. Trauma appears in many forms in society, even from the 1960’s due to the impact on returning soldiers from war. Since this, trauma has been categorised and widely researched leading to numerous theories. Psychotherapies were one of the first approaches to be founded in the 1970’s, which were the foundations to counselling

The seven phases of crisis are: the precipitating event, perception, disorganized response, seeking new and unusual resources, a chain of events (which may cause another crisis), previous crises linking to current crisis, and mobilization of new resources/adaptation. Crises usually last from four to six weeks. During that time, early intervention and problem solving is very important to prevent a breakdown in relationships and the ability to function normally (Gentry, 1994, p. 5). When crisis intervention begins, it is important for the crisis worker to be sensitive to the cultural diversity of the individual. The counselor should be sensitive to cultural backgrounds, alternative lifestyles, people with disabilities, and religious differences (Kanel, 2007, p. 38). Equally important, the crisis worker needs to be familiar with the various norms and traditions specific to the individual so that they are able to help without the client feeling disrespected or offended. The counselor should be able to help the individual without revealing any bias or judgment toward the person or his or her lifestyle. It is important for the counselor and the individual in crisis to make a connection so that they will be able to work cohesively towards resolving the crisis. Many models of crisis intervention exist. Three models were chosen as catalyst for the P.R.O.V.E. Model for intimate-partner abuse which will be used in crisis intervention for women who are victims of domestic

Domestic Violence is a problem sweeping the nation. This problem can affect anyone from anywhere but is generally acting out upon children and adult women in abusive relationships. Domestic violence is emotionally and physically scarring for anyone involved, and as a result could take multiple intervention meetings to begin to understand the issue, alleviate the associated problems, and to assist the victim in getting back on his or her feet. The consequences of abuse include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and self-harm. Children may begin to act differently to their usual behavior - withdrawal is very common, as is self-harming (Khan, 2012). There are two ways that people can consider interventions for victims of