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PART III: THEORY
H. They can’ t come in here. There is a sign on the door saying that the room is occupied. So they will stay outside. Whatever you tell me is confidential. I will support you, and we will not go into details of the bad things that happened, and that may only make you feel worse. Just notice that you do not have to talk about the painful events if you do not want to.
I have one question that I would like to ask you, is that OK?
S. H.
( Nods, agrees …)
Could you say whether you have any pain right now in your body, because you seem to be upset. Maybe there are some reactions that you do not understand, that you want to calm down?
S. I am cold, and I feel terrible. H.
Yes, that is painful. I would like to tell you a little story. It might explain some of reactions you are feeling. Is that OK? You are free to listen and also, if you feel that you are getting overwhelmed, you can stop me at any time. It is also good to feel your feet on the ground, you can do that too.
S. Yes, they feel a little dead. H.
When you push them into the ground, do you feel any difference? Stamp a little bit, like this, when you feel your legs are getting dead. Does that make your legs feel more alive?
S. Yes, a little bit.
Example of role play 3: Calming a survivor who has been triggered
H. Welcome back. I’ m glad you decided to come back again. S. Yes, hi ….( She looks sad and distant.) H. Please take a seat. I’ ll close the door if that is ok? S. Yes. H. So, this is our third meeting. I’ d like to know how you are. How do you feel today? S. I don’ t know. I don’ t feel well. H. Would you like some water? S. No thank you.( She remains silent and looks absent.) H.
As I told you before, in my office I meet many people who have experienced things that are difficult to deal with. In many cases the memories of those experiences are painful and make them feel very sad. Sometimes it is difficult for them to either stop thinking about them or to make time to think about them.
S. Yes, I understand. H. Do you remember when we talked about the window of tolerance? S. I don’ t remember very well.