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Introducing recovery skills
SAID ALOUD
Introducing recovery skills
Aims. To deepen understanding of the helper’ s role. To bridge today’ s discussion with previous discussions.
Trainer. This morning we will look at how helpers can help survivors. It is important to know what the helping qualities are in your culture. What you value in a helper is a good starting point for teaching recovery skills.‘ Recovery skills’ are physical and mental actions that help us cope with difficult reactions, thoughts and emotions. Recovery techniques are among the tools we will work with. They are tools that can be learned and practised, but never forget that the most important tool is you – helpers with the good qualities you have described.
PART II: THE TRAINING
Discussion. The qualities of a helper in your society.( 10 minutes.)
DISCUSSION
Form into small groups of 4 to 6, and discuss the characteristics of a good helper, remembering the earlier discussions but thinking about your situation and drawing on your own experience. Discuss what qualities helpers need in your culture and in the circumstances of your country today.
Exercise 7. The qualities of a helper in your society.( 10 minutes.)
EXERCISE
In plenary, report your group’ s ideas. Add new characteristics to the Good Helper( Figure 1). Make her qualities as relevant as possible to your experience.
Remember to include the principles of the human rights-based approach.
Make a copy of the drawing. It is suggested that you post it in a place where you can regularly remind yourself of the qualities that a helper needs.
Trainer. We have described the qualities of the good helper. We turn now to the survivor’ s needs, and to do so will continue to use the metaphor of the Butterfly Woman. Figures 3 and 4 help us to externalise reactions to trauma. They indicate how trauma-reminders trigger painful and overwhelming feelings. When we talk of‘ externalizing’, we refer to ways of talking about painful reactions and memories at a distance, outside the person, as we do when we tell the story of the Butterfly Women or use metaphors.
How can we explain to a survivor the healing paths out of trauma, and show her that her reactions and symptoms are natural reactions and symptoms that are to be expected. Through the Butterfly Woman we can explain ways of regulating responses in her body and her thoughts, feelings, breathing and heart. Because the metaphor enables a survivor to distance herself, and she does not talk directly about herself, she will not have flashbacks or feel ashamed as she might otherwise. Together with the helper, she will be able to reflect upon what is happening. She will feel she is not alone, she will understand how people behave when they experience trauma, and hopefully feel less shameful. This is good stabilisation work. You can strengthen her heart and give her hope! It is a good idea to repeat that she is not alone, that you know her, and that help can be found.
Let’ s develop Figure 4 of the Butterfly Woman.
Discussion. Responding to a survivor’ s needs.( 20 minutes.)
DISCUSSION
Study Figure 4. How have you responded in such situations? Share your experiences.