TRAUMA INFORMED COUNSELLING
DISABILITY CAN BRING ABOUT BEAUTIFUL, ENRICHING EXPERIENCES AND/OR LIFE-ALTERING, RELATIONSHIP-IMPACTING DETRIMENTS. DIFFICULTIES MAY ARISE FROM THE DISABILITY ITSELF AND/OR EXTERNAL FACTORS SUCH AS LACK OF
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES, AND SOCIETAL DISADVANTAGES.
COUNSELLING PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK THROUGH ARISING TRAUMA, LEADING TO RESTORED WELL-BEING, STRENGTHENED RELATIONSHIPS,
AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE.
INITIAL CONSULTATION
This is a FREE 20-minute consultation that can take place by telephone or ZOOM depending on the potential client's preference. The purpose will be to provide the potential client the opportunity to share any concerns, ask questions, and to provide Jacqueline with background details which will inform the therapeutic process.
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PRE-COUNSELLING ADMINISTRATION
Once the potential client(s) decide to proceed with counselling, Jacqueline will request that they complete a basic contact details form and a brief questionnaire. They will also be asked to review the terms and conditions of the service, to provide written consent for undertaking counselling, and to make payment as specified in the terms and conditions.
TYPES OF CLIENTS
This service is available to -
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Inter-abled Couples:
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Where one partner has suspected or confirmed ASD and the other partner does not, i.e. is neurotypical (NT)
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Where one partner has a serious chronic condition and/or disability and requires long-term care from a non-disabled partner
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Post-diagnostic support following confirmation of ASD
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Parents:
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Parents providing care for one child or children with a serious chronic condition and/or disability
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Parents who have experienced a traumatic birth experience which may or may not have resulted in a short-term or chronic serious condition and/or disability for the biological mother and/or child
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Individuals:
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Disabled or non-disabled individuals suffering from any form of disability-related trauma arising from a disability itself or external factors​​
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Post-diagnostic support following confirmation of ASD
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COUNSELLING APPROACHES
Counselling sessions are one hour long and are offered in blocks of 4, 8 or 12.
This service is underpinned by a combination of three therapeutic approaches:
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Trauma Informed Approach
Jacqueline works with clients to acknowledge areas of identified disability-related trauma and to recognise previously unknown areas of trauma. Strategies for increased mental/emotional resilience and, where necessary, healthy relationships will then be provided. Congruent with the UK government's working definition of trauma informed practice, Jacqueline will also seek 'to address the barriers that people affected by trauma can experience when accessing health and care services'.
The trauma informed approach emphasises six key principles of care, which are -
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Safety
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Trustworthiness
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Choice
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Collaboration
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Empowerment
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Cultural Consideration
Human Givens Approach
Jacqueline will refer to the human givens approach where appropriate, which is defined by the Human Givens Institute as 'practical, solution-focused help that deals with mental and emotional distress in the here and now... helping their client to identify their unmet emotional needs and empower them to meet these needs by activating their own natural resources in new ways.'
The human givens approach relies on the theory that humans have 9 essential emotional needs, which are -
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Security — safe territory and an environment which allows us to develop fully
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Attention (to give and receive it) — a form of nutrition
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Sense of autonomy and control — having volition to make responsible choices
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Feeling part of a wider community
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Emotional intimacy — to know that at least one other person accepts us totally for who we are, “warts ‘n’ all”
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Privacy — opportunity to reflect and consolidate experience, and to calm down if necessary, by removing ourselves from stressors
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Sense of status within social groupings
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Sense of competence and achievement
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Meaning and purpose — which come from being stretched in what we do and think.
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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Jacqueline will utilise CBT where necessary, most frequently when supporting clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. As outlined by the NHS, 'CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a negative cycle. CBT aims to help you deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts. You're shown how to change these negative patterns to improve the way you feel.'