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Cited by 35Social Work Education and PracticePsychoanalysis and Psychopathology ResearchPosttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Working in the Field of Complex Psychological Trauma: A Framework for Personal and Professional Growth, Training, and Supervision

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Coleman, Anne Marie, Chouliara, Zoë, Currie, Kay·2021·Journal of Interpersonal Violence
DOI 10.1177/0886260518759062
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Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore the positive and negative impacts of working therapeutically in complex psychological trauma (CPT), particularly the field of gender-based violence (GBV) and childhood sexual abuse (CSA), from the clinicians’ perspective. The focus was on the prospect of positive gains and growth for therapists. Twenty-one clinicians ( n = 21; counselors/psychotherapists and psychologists) from National Health Service (NHS) specialist trauma services, a community mental health team, and specialist sexual assault counseling organization participated. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was utilized to conduct single one-off interviews and analysis. Six themes were identified: Called to the work; Connection, Separation, and Oneness; Into and out of the darkness; Chaos into meaning; Reparation not repetition; and Expansion and growth. The first “Therapist Led Framework of Growth in Trauma Work” is presented. Vicarious posttraumatic growth (VPTG) was a key finding, with CPT therapists experiencing a “challenge/benefit/change” growth process. Adoption of actively relational strategies to enhance clinicians’ growth process through trauma work is being proposed. The benefits of conceptualizing both the positive and negative impacts of such work for supervision, training, shaping the formal curricula, service management, and continuing professional development (CPD) are being discussed. The need for good practice guidelines on self-care internationally is highlighted.

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  • Studies on therapists working with complex trauma confirm the above findings.

    “Również badania prowadzone na grupie terapeutów pracujących ztraumą złożoną, potwierdzają powyższe ustalenia [16].”

    From Does it only benefit the patient? Potentially positive impact of psychotherapy of traumatized people — on the therapist (2025) · cites this paper as [16]

    The Discussion reports findings from clinicians working with complex psychological trauma, including both detrimental effects and personal and professional growth. The citing sentence does not specify what “the above findings” are, so it is not possible to determine whether this study confirms them. (LLM, conf=0.78)

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Cited by

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Authors
Coleman, A. M., Chouliara, Z., & Currie, K.
Affiliations
  • NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GB)
  • Edinburgh Napier University (GB)
  • Glasgow Caledonian University (GB)
Corresponding author
Coleman, Anne Marie
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2018-03-20
Volume
36
Issue
5-6
Pages
2791-2815
ISSN
  • 0886-2605 (ISSN-L)
  • 1552-6518
DOI
10.1177/0886260518759062
OpenAlex
W2793612030
Cited by
35
References
10
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1
FWCI
4.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Interpersonal Violence (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ResearchOnline (Glasgow Caledonian University) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • ResearchOnline (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • Edinburgh Napier Research Repository (Edinburgh Napier University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Public Administration › Social Work Education and Practice
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
Keywords
vicarious posttraumatic growth, therapist growth, gender-based violence, child sexual abuse, trauma-informed supervision, therapist training, continuing professional development, self-care, relational strategies
MeSH terms
Psychological Trauma, Posttraumatic Growth, Psychological, Child, Counseling, Humans, Sex Offenses, State Medicine

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