Community workers and educators in Muldersdrift held a workshop in trauma counselling on 14 July.
The two day workshop, facilitated by Dr Bafana Siboyana from the National Children and Violence Trust (NCVT), centred on crisis, stress and trauma. Around 30 volunteers working at victim empowerment centres and NGOs in the area took part to learn and exercise basic counselling principles.
The group recapped information from the previous day and how that had impacted their outlook on being a counsellor.
“I understand the attachment a client will have with me now. Sometimes, you just refer a client to another person after a couple of sessions but now I understand my role in the relationship with the client,” one counsellor said.
Dr Siboyana said if one thinks in a person-centred context, you would certainly act in a person-centred manner which is honest, empowering and genuine.
“You will begin to ask yourself how the person feels and perceives certain situations; instead of asking, ‘What is the problem here, who was at fault?’.”
Siboyana encouraged the participants to ask the client about their highest level of education because they would be able to adjust around that. “The way that you sit, can have an impact on the conversation. Make sure that you are relaxed and open to make the person more comfortable,” he added.
Participants looked at the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM), which focused on factors that can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Factors that are present during a traumatic event include seeing or being confronted by real death, threats or serious injury. The reactions one could experience due to trauma include intense fear, helplessness or hopelessness.
“Trauma is stored in the sense. A smell or sound can trigger a traumatic experience that someone has experienced and this leads to PTSD. PTSD is an extreme response to trauma and occurs most often if the trauma is left untreated,” Siboyana said.
Details: National Children and Violence Trust 011 705 1960.
