The Most Important Trauma Therapy Skill | FREE Trauma Therapist Toolkit [inside]
The Most Important Skill in Trauma Therapy
My family went Bike-Skiing in Switzerland when I was fourteen.
My grandparents treated us to a trip to Switzerland and we were ecstatic! As we headed to the slopes, my family decided to try "bike skiing". [It's basically a bike, but instead of wheels, skis]. It sounded fun, until I jumped off the ski-lift, and realized I had no idea of how to use the ski bike.
The trainer looked at me with a smile and said "ok, now go!". He had hardly said much, but just showed us with his hand motion how to go about using the bike. Most of my family was fine, but I was not.
His english was far from communicate-able, but I was hoping he'd help me out a bit. In a matter of minutes, he showed me how to slow down, and how to jump off the bike. Then he said I'm good to go.
I saw most of my family going ahead, said a prayer and did my best. Thankfully my mom saw me struggling, and stayed alongside me, so that I was not entirely alone, but it was still pretty scary. That night, I cozied up around the fire place, with many bruises.
When I think about Trauma Therapy, this story comes to mind.
I needed my instructor to better guide me on the slopes and the bike, as it was all new for me.
As therapists, we are our clients "instructors" and it's our role to be clear and thorough in the prep-work for therapy. We call this prep-work "pacing".
Our clients need us to prepare them with: psycho-education, emotional regulation skills and self awareness, so the trauma healing journey is one that provides relief. And, so they have supports set in place for the rocky and hard moments - which there are many.
Babette Rothschild talks about the concept of the "Brake and the Gas Pedal.
She highlights that we need to ensure our clients have emotional brakes and gas pedals, to safely engage in trauma therapy - just like a car does. This way we can ensure we are not going too quickly, or too slowly, but at a pace that is good for the client to get the support and healing they came in for.
Trauma Therapists, Deepen your Trauma Therapy Sessions with Clients!
I've created a 3 page FREE Pacing download for you to use - in session - with your clients.
First, review this on your own so you familiarize yourself with the concept. Then, it's easy to use and incorporate into session, or to simply take a new skill from it, to reflect on.
Didn't grab your copy yet? Click here to get it. It's in the Trauma Toolkit booklet
Cheers to continued growth, together =)
Warmly,
Esther