Unforeseen Trauma Research Paper

Words: 626
Pages: 3

The purpose of this paper will explore the effects of Natural Disaster, Human-made, Vicarious Trauma (VT) and/or Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) Crisis. In addition, it will also express the roles of a mental health counselor and the importance of their role with clients. Nevertheless, this paper will also research the effects of unforeseen trauma, and how it impacts the lives of all people regardless of ages ethnicity, race and gender.
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina was a natural disaster that effected the United States in 2005. The hurricane, killed many people and left endless amounts of people homeless, hungry and sick to due to the lack of necessities for daily survival and living needs. As a result of this crisis, many people
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Based on other studies done on catastrophes show long term sequelae would be anticipated (Satcher, D., Friel, S., & Bell, R.2007). The counselor’s role may differ in treating a survivor of this crisis, would require longer periods of therapy, whereas a first responder may require therapy in shorter amounts of time due to the extensive training first responders have in trauma. First responders would be more than likely to suffer from secondary
Mass violence
Mass violence, is an unfortunate circumstance which results in the determinant of health. These actions are often created by others, and or family members (Satcher, D., Friel, S., & Bell, R.2007). Wars, domestic violence, and homicide all contribute to variety of trauma. Nonetheless, leaving an impact on the individuals involved with the trauma created.
Effects on Survivors and First Responders
The effects this crisis might have on survivors and or first responders, could result in secondary traumatic stress to a first responder. If the individual, is a survivor of domestic violence, for example, the survivor may experience vicarious traumazation (VT). Satcher et al. (2007) suggested VT, may be associated with trust, esteem, and intimacy which are three of five
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The connection of the client’s relationship with the counselor could transform into psychological empathy in a domestic violence case (Trippany, R. L., White Kress, V. E., & Wilcoxon, S. A. ,2004). In ST, counselors may develop transformation countertransference (Trippany, R. L., White Kress, V. E., & Wilcoxon, S. A. ,2004).
The two strategies a mental health counselor might use to mitigate or address VT and or ST could be spirituality, or meditation, a form of grounding according to Shallcross (2012).
Conclusion
The unanticipated shock of any trauma, regardless the causes impacts and scars the lives of people for life. Trauma, can be a tool to strengthen while in some cases. For example, in some instances people who experience trauma, they think of their experience as a tool to make them stronger emotionally and psychologically. However, as with trauma in general, depending on age, and the type of trauma, some people do not start healing until the pain has subsided and they feel safe. As, for me, the trauma I received throughout my life time has been unsurmountable, however it was one of the way it my greatest tools, that was used for my