Strengths-based Trauma-informed Counselling and Transformation in peacebuilding

by  Janine Joyce*

Introduction

Traumatic stressors may be singular events of the past, however within the context of intergroup conflict, people experience continuous traumatic stressors that are “present, ongoing, continuous, and chronic,” ranging from “potentially traumatic” stressors (i.e., micro-aggressions, including intentional and unintentional discrimination) to more severe traumatic stress (i.e., macroaggressions, including acts of violence and forced migration) (Kira et al., 2014, p. 3 in Hester, 2016). Within this some people will develop strong adaptive capacities and resilience yet all will carry their burden of pain, shock, and loss.

Strengths-based trauma-informed counselling practice is based-on knowledge of the neuro-psychobiological effects of such ongoing traumatic load whilst also identifying and building on the strengths of individuals and communities. In practice this means that it is not always necessary to focus on the details of the trauma, rather it is important to carefully tease out the effects of the traumatic experience/s on each person’s nervous system, whilst identifying environmental triggers and their unique adaptive possibility. Our triggers are seeking to alert us to potential danger and keep us safe even as they make day-to-day activities difficult.

The first quietly radical step is to reclaim each human body’s ability to recognize, sooth and regulate strong emotion.

This is not so easy if we have grown up in or are living in violent, impoverished, and dangerous environments.

However, the transformative peace builder looks to the community, cultural practices and simple body based settling practices to retrain and allow spaces for deep adaptive capacities to emerge. As a Trauma informed Counsellor, working with children and adults affected by sexual abuse, I was an early adopter of Dr Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model to understand the potential for healing with children affected by interrupted relationships that affected attachment. This model is a developmentally sensitive, neurobiology-informed approach to clinical problem solving. It understands the role of cultural activities such as drumming, dance, healing touch, play in re-organising the main organ of our nervous system the brain and creating healing. Whilst it is mainly used with children with attachment issues it influences my thinking on Transformative peacebuilding and helps, in part to give a rational for community group programs that are formed around the creative arts. These are safe and enjoyable spaces where we can safely come together to entrain our nervous systems and heal. We practice caring and connecting with each other. Primarily we attune ourselves to adaptive capacity and prepare for change.

Preparing for change

1. Processes of bearing witness and truth telling (e.g.: therapeutic journaling, yarning circles, blogging etc.)
2. Sensory modulation (Identifying individual and group triggers and then building a sensory list of what soothes and alerts and ways to be aware of the changing inner emotions), This is where the rich cultural traditions are useful e.g.: dancing, chanting, drumming, painting, drama, music and sound making. We ask ourselves what sounds soothe and make us settled, what smells are safe or unsafe. We build these into the habits of life. As one man of refugee background from East Asia said to me: “Wherever I am in the world I always get up and watch the rising sun. It does not matter how much poverty, uncertainty, or danger. The sun always rises, and I get great strength from that”.
3. Emotional regulation (Building the awareness of when we are becoming disturbed and creating a longer space between trigger and reaction. Using the ability to reduce intensity and modulate through the senses or mind until feel in balance again).
4. Breathing. If we have been in long term danger and stress our breathing patterns may be shallow and chest based. As we transform and relax, we learn to breathe from the belly. Certain traditional dances and stretching practices naturally encourage the body to do this.
5. Food. The long-term lack of nutrients often shows as thinness and physical illness however various mental illnesses are associated with lack of specific vitamins and minerals. The transformative peacebuilder knows the importance of correct nutrition in building non-violent communities.
6. Thoughts as information only. Chaotic thoughts may indicate a basic need for water or more nutritious foods. It may also be deep rumination from loss, shock, grief, and trauma. But always start with the physiological.
7. Processes of gratitude, looking after others, tending, and befriending and smiling give benefit to our own physical and mental health. They also create possibility for connection with others.

These processes are adaptable to the environmental resources that are available. As we all navigate the COVID-19 pandemic these may be useful practices.

Please stay kind everyone.

Reference

Hester, Liza (2016) "Examining Peacebuilding Through a Trauma Lens: Practitioner Reflections on Programs for Youth Exposed to Traumatic Stressors in Intergroup Conflict," Peace and Conflict Studies: 23: 2, Article 3.

Standish, Katerina and Joyce, Janine. Yogic Peace Education: Theory and Practice. North Carolina: McFarlane & Company Inc. Publishers, 2018.

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* Senior Lecturer, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, AUSTRALIA