300 – Trauma-Informed Interventions for Therapists

In Episode 300 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, your hosts Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly are back with this week’s three topics:

• Firstly in ‘Ethical, Sustainable Practice’, we look at practicing online therapy with clients that are not in your country of residence, or if you’re in the United States, with clients not in your state.
• Then in ‘Practice Matters’, Ken speaks to our own Rory Lees-Oakes about a lecture he presented for the Counsellor CPD library, titled 5 Practical Trauma-Informed Interventions for Therapists.
• And lastly in ‘Student Services’, we look at preparing for your final submission of coursework.

Practising Online Therapy with Clients Abroad [starts at 03:14 mins]

Online and telephone counselling has allowed for practitioners to offer their services outside of their local area, but when it comes to counselling clients in different countries, there are extra things we need to consider:

• Check your insurance – ask their view on you working with clients abroad and get it in writing. Let them know what parts of the world you’re going to be virtually working in and check that they cover it.
• There are different laws and license requirements in different countries/states – make sure you understand these.
• Protect yourself from legal complications.
• If you’re working online, you need a supervisor that is trained in working online so that they can give you informed guidance.
• Look into your ethical body and its requirements for working with clients abroad.
• Do you know the emergency number for the country your client is in?
• What platform are you using for your sessions – does its data regulations meet the requirements of both countries?
• Cultural considerations and differences – try to find out if counselling in this country has different norms or expectations.
• Consider and manage your boundaries.
• Are you confident in your technical abilities?
• Is your internet connection stable?

Trauma-Informed Interventions for Therapists [starts at 24:57 mins]

• There is a lack of trauma-informed training within first trainings.
• It’s difficult to find space for it within the curriculum.
• The main focus is often on modality – but some trauma-informed methods of practice may sit outside of your modality.
• Our understanding of trauma e.g. post traumatic stress, came after these modalities were first formed.
• Psychoeducation is a simple trauma-informed technique that can really help a client to break their cycle of self-loathing, and help them to understand how they reacted to a certain situation.

Preparing for Final Submissions [starts at 52:47 mins]

At the time of this podcast, many of you might be approaching your final assignments and exams. This can undoubtedly be a stressful time, but in this section, Rory and Ken share some ways you can help to prepare yourself for these submissions:

• Get clarity on what needs to be in your final assignment, or what will be on your exam.
• You want to be going in to your exam as prepared and relaxed as you possibly can, make sure you know what to expect.
• Look at the specific question and break it down – understand the verb it uses and make sure you know what it is asking of you.
• Ask yourself, have I actually answered the question?
• Resistance can be greatest just before you break through.
• A fail is just a first attempt at learning – don’t let it discourage you.
• Believe in yourself, you deserve to be here after making it so far.
• And from everyone at Counselling Tutor – good luck!

Links and Resources

• Counselling Skills Academy
• Advanced Certificate in Counselling Supervision
• Basic Counselling Skills: A Student Guide
• Counsellor CPD
• Counselling Study Resource
• Facebook group
• Website
• Online and Telephone Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide
• Online and Telephone Counselling Course