Presence: A Primer on Trauma and Recovery for the Use of Trauma Workers

PRESENCE

A Primer on Trauma and Recovery for the Use of Trauma Workers

PRESENCE

A Primer on Trauma and Recovery for the Use of Trauma Workers

Copyright to this digital edition © 2016 by

MLAC Institute for Psychosocial Services, Inc.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owners and the publisher.

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Book design by Ariel Dalisay (cover) and Ysa Garcia (interior)

Cover photo © Lightspring | Shutterstock.com

ISBN 9786214201167 (e-book)

Version 1.0.1

Table of Contents

Introduction

CHAPTER ONE

Framework and Philosophy

CHAPTER TWO

Understanding the Inner World of the Disaster Survivor

CHAPTER THREE

Understanding Trauma and Recovery

CHAPTER FOUR

Using Play and Mindfulness-Based Expressive Arts Therapy Approach (PMBEAT) in Building a Caring Community

CHAPTER FIVE

On Resilience and Transcendence of the Survivors

CHAPTER SIX

On Resilience and Transcendence of the Trauma Workers

APPENDIX

REFERENCES

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Introduction

TO FACILITATE the process of recovery or healing from Trauma (for disaster survivors) the most important factor is our true PRESENCE. We accompany the survivors in their journey towards healing, with our total authentic PRESENCE. This means being with them in their pain as we guide them to a place of hope and even joy.

PRESENCE is also an acronym, which provides the key elements that are essential in facilitating the recovery process of disaster survivors. Here are the words that are found in this meaningful guide:

P – Play

R – Recovery/Resilience

E – Empathy

S – Safety, Synergy and Shared conviction and philosophy

E – Expressive Arts

N – Non-judgmental attitude

C – Care, Competence, Compassion, Community

E – Empowerment

"We can’t reverse climate change, we cannot stop typhoons, we can’t rescue all children from abusive homes, etc. We must also open ourselves to the hope that comes with the understanding that the one thing we can do… We can always be PRESENT for our lives, the lives of other beings, and the life of the planet.

Being present is a radical act. It allows us to soften the impact of trauma, interrupt the forces of oppression, and set the stage for healing and transformation. (Lipsky, 2009)

The quality of our PRESENCE is something we can cultivate moment by moment.

The most important strategy or method in trauma stewardship is learning to stay fully PRESENT… we want to be fully present with ourselves, and with those we are helping, and to listen deeply, without judgment—this is mindfulness.

Maintaining compassion for ourselves and others is of paramount importance as we explore our own Trauma Exposure Response, or Vicarious Traumatization (VT) as we