How do you disclose a trauma to a therapist?

What’s most important is the therapist’s authenticity and sincerity.

1. “Thank you for trusting me enough to share such a personal and difficult story”
2. “I appreciate the courage it took to share that with me.”
3. “I want you to know that what happened wasn’t your fault.
4. “I am so sorry that you were hurt/mistreated/harmed.”

What can you disclose to a therapist?

Common exceptions are: Psychologists may disclose private information without consent in order to protect the patient or the public from serious harm — if, for example, a client discusses plans to attempt suicide or harm another person.

Why do therapists not self-disclose?

Excessive personal sharing by a counselor may be seen by the client as self-serving. It may convey disinterest in the client’s issues and, thus, may be damaging to the counseling relationship. Counselor self-disclosure can be detrimental if it is provided without consideration of the client’s presenting problem.

Should a therapist share personal information?

The basic rule of thumb is that therapists should not be getting their own needs met by self-disclosing to clients. Beyond providing basic information about training or experience, it is rarely a good idea for a therapist to self-disclose early in treatment.

When should we talk about trauma in therapy?

Only after a client has been able to achieve a reduction in the alertness that typically follows trauma and a strengthened awareness of resources for coping with stress should we consider strategies that directly deal with the trauma story.

What are the 21 common reactions to trauma?

21 Common Reactions to Trauma 1 Replaying the Memory. 2 Nightmares. 3 Flashbacks. 4 Fear and Anxiety. 5 Anger. 6 (more items)

Why is it so hard to stop thinking about a trauma?

By definition, a traumatic event is not a pleasant memory, so it makes sense that we would want to avoid thinking about it. As mentioned above, the mind tends to replay the traumatic memory, so it can be difficult to keep it out of our minds for long. With time most people find that it becomes less painful to remember the trauma. 10.

How do trauma survivors cope with trauma?

This becomes possible, and surprisingly, life-giving, when the primary handles for incorporating the trauma experience into on-going life are the personal strengths exhibited by the survivor in coping with it. In the same way that stress and trauma are cumulative, so too are reactions, responses, and coping mechanism that keep us alive.