Complex trauma: voices of healing
Within the context of the recent natural disasters occurring around the world, attention has been focussed on trauma’s psychological consequences. The trauma spotlighted here is on that of childhood maltreatment and the effects on subsequent adult life. Described in this paper are experiences of recovery from patient perspectives, and an examination of how these are different from, and interact with, representations of therapy derived from published expert theoristpractitioner experience. It is based on a phenomenological study of reports from seven women with histories of chronic childhood maltreatment. These women have since been through significant recovery from dissociative symptoms, and it is this part of their journey that was the focus of this research. From the data, two models are proposed.
The first is founded on a recovery paradigm from the patient perspective that recalls the Anglo-Franc etymological origins of rekeverer: to regain consciousness, health, or strength. Elements of this model included developing abilities to build a selfhood, connect and separate, regulate overwhelming emotions, manage choices, and internalize therapeutic relational dynamics. The second model, a therapeutic paradigm, is based on selected publications from acknowledged experts in the field. It is consistent with the Greek origins of therapeiᾶ: to treat disease, to attend, do service. Elements here included maps of how therapy progresses with respect to both universal and unique applications, construction of a work space, theorized aetiology and change processes, and the value of shared experience within the therapeutic alliance. The interactive dynamics between these models is then discussed.
