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Humanity in Trauma Work: A Reflection on Renewing, Culture, and Personal Care

by Adiely Cifuentes

Working in a trauma related field, especially in one that involves criminal justice, requires professionals to be very intricate in empathy. This semester as we unpacked trauma in class, a few things stood out to me that wasn't necessarily new, but always kept in the back burner until recently. Supporting people who are suffering requires individuals  in this field to constantly renew our own mental, emotional and physical well being. If we don't intentionally seek care, we risk becoming the system that we are trying to fix. People in these fields become overwhelmed, detached, and majority of the time don't see people as humans. We have seen examples of this through the multiple readings that we did in the course, such as Night by Elie Wiesel, and The Standford Prison Experiment.  During this blog post, I want to discuss and reflect on what we have learned while evaluating work done in the criminal justice field, and make a case for a more compassionate and cultural responsive that addresses trauma work.

Trauma Work Taking Tolls

One of the biggest misconceptions that I have realized within learning about trauma is how it only affects victims or clients. Vicarious trauma is a major topic that is barely discussed in our outside world, where it is deeply woven into helping many professions. As we have read and discussed in class, being chronically exposed to other's pain no matter what your environment might be, can reshape your whole nervous system. Although not often talked about, I consider trauma to be contagious.

For example, there were correctional officers that experienced PTSD at higher rates than veterans (Spinaris, 2012). There has also been social workers that have reported burning out because they care too deeply in the cases they constantly deal with that theres no form of decompressing or outlets of relief. Therapist also often report being exhausted and experience physical symptoms long after working with trauma survivors (Figley, 1995). If we expect these people that hold important jobs to protect our humanity, then institutions must find a way to protect their humanity too.

Learning from Trauma-Theorists

During our course, we have the honor to read Bessel Van Der Kolk's The Body Keeps the Score. This reading was able to reshape how we understand healing while emphasizing that trauma can change the brain and body. Healing is not just about addressing its symptoms, but the body as a whole. Van der Kolk explains how talk therapy often doesn't work on many people, especially in those that work in emotionally and trauma heavy fields. Almost everybody, if not everyone, carries some sort of embodied trauma. Their nervous system kicks in and gets stuck in in survival mode.

Although the book itself was a great read and there were many things that I was able to learn, I wished that there was more room for a deeper cultural analysis. Race, socioeconomic status, immigration status, disabilities, and cultural identities shape how trauma is experienced and also treated. His model could have benefitted from having more acknowledgment in these areas.

Critical Incident Stress Management

Critical Incident Stress Management, also known as CISM, is commonly known for first responders as way to balance out reactions after a traumatic event. This program is able to offer things such as debriefings, peer support, and psychoeducation (Mitchell and Everly, 1997). Some strengths from this approach is that it gives people time to process intense events as well as reduce isolation, and help normalize common trauma symptoms. As much as this sounds helpful and beneficial to those in need, there are also concerns that are raised. There could be that possibility that this practice can retraumatize individuals and it could also be used as a form of checklist instead of it being an ongoing care. I believe that CISM can be effective when its culturally responsive, rather than it being a "one-size-fits-all" ordeal.

The "Cultural Problem"

One thing that bothers me is how trauma work can be assumed as a universal experience when trauma can be deeply rooted culturally. Many Black communities experience trauma that is shaped by systemic racism, policing, and historical violence. There are also many immigrants that fear looking for help due to the idea of them potentially getting deported. Native communities also experience trauma through the lens of intergenerational harm and colonialism. If these professions don't understand important cultural context like these, they could unintentionally abnormalize normal survival responses. Trauma-informed care that is not culturally informed is not proper care. 

Trauma Work Requires Structural Change

As a society, we need a cultural shift in how agencies support their own staff. Having quick one page checklists or pamphlets are not going to fix any issues, and so isn't changing workloads or workplace culture. Real change requires mandatory mental health check ins from managers, bosses, or supervisors, workload that doesn't exceed human limits, having cultural training, and providing therapists. Trauma-informed care has to include everyone, not just those that are seeking for professional services.

Healing the Healers

Trauma work requires a lot, but most importantly, it requires resilience and clarity. Theres a phrase that we have probably heard many times, but relates to this which is "Make sure to put your oxygen mask first before putting it on for others". Professionals that are in these fields cannot give what they do not have. To be able to support those that seek healing and help, workers need to know how to protect their own mental and physical well being. If we want a society and a justice system where everyone is treated humanely, we have to start by treating those that help us too. By implementing better policies, having better cultural understandings, and shift our way in how we view trauma, we can move forward by benefitting both the client and the worker.

Resources

Figley, C.R. (1995). Compassion fatigue: Coping with Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder in Those Who Treat the Traumatized. Brunner/Mazel

Mitchell, J.T., & Everly, G.S. (1997). Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM): A New Era and Standard of Care in Crisis Intervention. Chevron Publishing

Rousseau, D. (2025) Module 1: Understanding Trauma and Resilience. Boston University, METCJ720: Trauma and Crisis Intervention

Spinaris, C., Denhof, M. & Kellaway, J. (2012). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in U.S. Corrections Professionals. Desert Waters Correctional Outreach

Van der Kolk, B.A (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.

From Survival to Integration: Understanding EMDR Therapy

When we experience something overwhelming, and painful, the mind has a difficult time processing the event. The traumatic memory is then stored improperly, and the brain reacts as if the event is still happening and controlling the present. Instead of the experience being fully processed and integrated, it remains stuck in the subconscious mind without context showing up as emotional shutdown, dissociation, and anxiety. 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps with traumatic experiences and responses including childhood trauma, sexual trauma, PTSD, prolonged stress, depression, anxiety, and emotional numbness. (EMDR) is a psychotherapeutic based therapy designed to integrate unresolved traumatic experiences and mental health issues that are challenging to describe and communicate and targets underlying causes. During history taking, clients not only review past events, but they also cover current concerns and future goals. (Rosseau, 2025). 

It works by activating the brain's natural healing processes to discharge trauma and emotional imprints fragmented in the mind to sort and integrate the limiting beliefs and sensations linked to painful memories faster than traditional talk therapy to reduce emotional intensity in the mind and body by processing sensory memory.  

EMDR is a structured approach using bilateral stimulation such as eye movement to activate regions in the brain responsible for memory and emotional regulation. The prefrontal cortex responsible for decision making, logic, and self regulation is able to reconnect with the emotional centers and improve distorted perspectives; this happens when the amygdala reconnects to the prefrontal cortex to reduce fear and overwhelming sensations.  The structure relies on eight phases: story taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation. (Rosseau, 2025).  In an EMDR session, the licensed therapist will not only help identify triggers but also teach the patient grounding techniques to feel safe when sensations, thoughts, and feelings arise to empower the patient. During history taking, future goals are recorded to hold space for new belief patterns by visualizing healthy environments to regain stability. 

Essentially EMDR accesses the ability to heal the fragmented subconscious mind that learned survival mechanisms of hyper arousal, hyper-vigilance, and other coping mechanisms that become difficult to explain when trauma impacts both the mind and body helping a trauma impacted person to-reclaim their sense of self. Van Der Kolk (2014) emphasizes agency and “restoring the ownership of body and mind” to envision and organize a life centered in choice, and safety.  

References:

van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma.Penguin Books.

Rousseau, D. (2025). Module 4: Trauma and the Criminal Justice System. Lesson 4:3: Treatment Approaches. Boston University, MET CJ 720: Trauma and Crisis Intervention.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. Department of Mental Health. (2024, September 4). https://dmh.lacounty.gov/our-services/emdr/ 

Yoga and Trauma

Trauma stems from a disturbing experience that has a long-lasting effect on an individual's well-being. Van Der Kolk emphasizes that trauma imprints on the nervous system, it's not just a memory. Van Der Kolk states that self-awareness is "at the core of recovery" and that traditional talk-therapy is not a significant approach to treatment due to not properly addressing trauma within the body. (Van Der Kolk, 2014) Victims may feel like they're trapped in their bodies and are unable to calm down even if danger has passed or if there's no danger at all. Yoga therapy allows victims to control their movement, breath, and mindfulness and victims can move at their own pace. Yoga also allows victims to feel safe within themselves and have a reliable support system. Victims often struggle with finding a structured and supportive system, and yoga allows them to rely on themselves and be in control.

Yoga as a complementary therapy has only been utilized within the last 20 years and is used for pain management along with individuals that have psychological diagnoses. Trauma-informed yoga is often practiced with trauma survivors and typically touch is not involved but can be introduced once the individual consents to it and it can be used as a supportive presence. (Rousseau, 2025) Commands and demands are not integrated in yoga as a whole, rather it invited the mind and body to connect and unify. A study involving sixty-four women who had chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD was conducted by Van Der Kolk et al, (2014) and they were either assigned to trauma-informed yoga or supportive women's health education. Results showed that 16 of 31 participants that were in the trauma-informed yoga group no longer met PTSD criteria, whereas 6 of 29 participants in the women's health education group no longer met the criteria. (Van Der Kolk et al, 2014) Another study shows that incarcerated individuals also benefited from yoga. (Rousseau et al, 2024) The final results were that their stress decreased by 41%, mood increased by 30%, and there was an increase of self-growth.

More research and studies need to be conducted for additional support on how yoga has a positive effect on trauma and trauma treatments. However, studies that have been conducted show positive results and that it has positively impact on trauma victims. Victims are able to connect mentally and physically with themselves after trauma caused them to dissociate with themselves.

References:

Rousseau, D. (2025). Module 3: Neurobiology of Trauma. [Module Notes]. Blackboard, Boston University.

Rousseau, D., Bourgeois, J. W., Johnson, J., Ramirez, L., & Donahue, M. (2024). Embodied resilience: a quasi-experimental exploration of the effects of a trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness curriculum in carceral settings. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 34(2024), Article-2. 

Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Van der Kolk BA, Stone L, West J, Rhodes A, Emerson D, Suvak M, Spinazzola J. Yoga as an adjunctive treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2014 Jun;75(6):e559-65. doi: 10.4088/JCP.13m08561. PMID: 25004196.

Debunking Deterrence Theory with Trauma-Informed Science

Over the last several decades, the “tough on crime” narrative has served as a powerful political slogan that promises protection through punishment. Policies such as mandatory minimum sentences, aggressive policing, cash bail, and mass incarceration are routinely framed as necessary defenses against dangerous individuals (The Sentencing Project, 2024). However, data reveals that these policies disproportionately target marginalized groups. African Americans are incarcerated in state prisons at nearly five times the rate of white Americans, a disparity that illustrates the structural inequity embedded in these punitive measures (The Sentencing Project, 2021). This is also particularly troubling given that an estimated 70-90 percent of youth involved in the justice system have experienced significant trauma, including physical or sexual abuse and exposure to violence (Branson et al., 2017). When the system fails to integrate trauma-informed care and responds to complex behavioral struggles with punitive force, it reinforces the very conditions that contribute to future violence (Rousseau, 2025).

The tough on crime agenda is frequently justified through deterrence theory, which assumes that individuals weigh the costs and benefits of their actions and will refrain from criminality when consequences are certain, swift, and severe (Tomlinson, 2016). A trauma-informed perspective challenges the core logic of this claim. Trauma fundamentally alters the brain and nervous system, producing hyperarousal, dissociation, and impaired executive functioning. These physiological responses limit an individual’s capacity for deliberation and impulse control (van der Kolk, 2014). In moments of fear, dysregulation, or emotional overwhelm, people are often unable to engage in the rational calculations that deterrence theory presumes.

For survivors of complex trauma, the threat of legal punishment carries little weight when compared to the immediate need to manage intense fear, distress, and physiological overload (van der Kolk, 2014). As Elie Wiesel illustrates in Night, extreme suffering erodes the capacity for rational deliberation and leaves only a basic drive for self-preservation (Wiesel, 2006). Behaviors that develop in the aftermath of trauma, whether substance use to dull emotional pain or aggression deployed as protection, function as survival strategies rather than deliberate choices (van der Kolk, 2014). Within this context, harsher penalties do not deter. Instead, they replicate the trauma of powerlessness and control, punishing the instinct to survive and increasing the likelihood that individuals will continue to cycle through the correctional system. By destabilizing individuals and eroding resilience, deterrence-based policies create ripple effects that weaken community cohesion and compromise collective safety (DeVeaux, 2013).

By ignoring the neurological and psychological effects of trauma, deterrence theory misinterprets behavior as rational defiance rather than a conditioned response to chronic adversity (van der Kolk, 2014). If true public safety relies on trauma-informed care, the question becomes how to operationalize a system that shifts the focus from “What is wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” (Rousseau, 2025). Answering this requires replacing punitive policies with restorative interventions that create stability, support emotional regulation, and build resilience so individuals can move out of reactive survival states and engage in the conscious decision-making necessary for lawful behavior (van der Kolk, 2014). It also requires sustained investment in mental health services and economic support rather than strategies that fracture families and communities (The Prison Policy Initiative, 2022). Real safety grows from resilience and healing supported by trauma-informed care rather than from punitive systems that reinforce the conditions that lead to harm (van der Kolk, 2014; DeVeaux, 2013).

Restoring Balance: Indigenous Wisdom and the Path to True Safety

Mainstream criminal justice systems prioritize control, isolation, and surveillance, tactics that undermine psychological safety, which is an essential prerequisite for behavioral change after trauma (Rousseau, 2025). Rather than protecting the public, this approach often deepens psychological distress and weakens individuals’ capacity for connection upon reentry into their communities (van der Kolk, 2014). By equating accountability with punishment, the system relies on coercion rather than cooperation and frequently re-traumatizes both offenders and victims (DeVeaux, 2013). In contrast, Indigenous approaches center justice on collective healing and relational accountability, values that align closely with the core principles of trauma-informed care (Bhat et al., 2025; Armour & Umbreit, 2004).

At the heart of Indigenous healing justice is the understanding that harm disrupts relational balance and that justice requires collaboration and empowerment rather than a top-down imposition of punishment (Bhat et al., 2025). This offers a critical intervention in countries like Canada, where Indigenous peoples account for approximately 5 percent of the national population yet represent more than 30 percent of federally incarcerated individuals, reflecting a systemic failure of the current model (Public Safety Canada, 2023).

Restorative models such as sentencing circles, peacemaking courts, and traditional healing lodges replace the adversarial structure of Western courts with dialogue, shared responsibility, and reintegrative shaming (Ontario Justice Education Network, 2016; Armour & Umbreit, 2004). These processes operationalize trauma-informed principles such as voice and choice by permitting participants to speak their truths and contribute directly to the resolution. By flattening hierarchical structures, these circles cultivate trust and transparency, acknowledging that trauma is relational and cannot be addressed in isolation (Chartrand & Horn, 2016). This relational approach produces measurable outcomes. A federal evaluation found that individuals who participated in Indigenous Justice Programs were 49 percent less likely to reoffend after five years compared to those processed through the traditional system (Department of Justice Canada, 2021).

Western punishment models, by contrast, often inflict new trauma even as they claim to restore justice. Incarceration and solitary confinement sever social connections, violating the principle of peer support that is essential for recovery (DeVeaux, M., 2013). These responses also tend to overlook intergenerational and structural forms of harm, including systemic discrimination, that contribute to criminalization (Department of Justice Canada, 2021). As the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (2025) notes, healing cannot occur in isolation from historical truth. A holistic approach situates individual behavior within its broader historical context rather than treating the person as the sole source of wrongdoing, thereby avoiding the adverse consequences of stigmatization.

Indigenous restorative practices offer concrete examples of how trauma-informed principles can be put into action. The Navajo Nation Peacemaking Program draws on hozho, a philosophy of harmony and balance, encouraging individuals who have caused harm to understand their actions through mentorship and connection (Bluehouse & Zion, 1996). The power of forgiveness in restorative justice lies in its ability to release the victim from the negative control of the crime and rehumanize the offender, though this healing potential is often strongest when forgiveness remains an implicit and voluntary part of the dialogue rather than a mandated outcome (Armour & Umbreit, 2004). Canada’s Gladue Courts integrate cultural humility into legal processes by requiring judges to consider the effects of colonization and intergenerational trauma (Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs Canada, 2024). Together, these models show that justice can be both accountable and compassionate, affirming the trauma-informed principle of asking “what happened to you?” rather than “what is wrong with you?” (Rousseau, 2025).

Adopting Indigenous-informed frameworks requires recognizing that healing and accountability are inseparable. Indigenous restorative justice aligns with trauma-informed care while also expanding its reach by embedding individual repair within collective responsibility. Incorporating Indigenous community wisdom fosters a system in which safety, empowerment, and dignity are not aspirations but standard practice.

References:

Armour, M., & Umbreit, M. (2004, Feb. 18). The paradox of forgiveness in restorative

justice. Handbook of Forgiveness. The University of Minnesota

Bhat, N., Mehliqa, U., Ahmad Paul, F., & Bashir, A. (2025). Contextualizing Indigenous approaches to trauma-informed care in social work practice. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313204.2025.2524351

Bluehouse, P., & Zion, J. W. (1996). Hozhooji Naat’aanii: The Navajo justice and harmony ceremony. NCJRS Abstract No. 168152. Office of Justice Programs. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/hozhooji-naataanii-navajo-justice-and-harmony-ceremony-native

Branson, C. E., Baetz, C. L., Horwitz, S. M., & Hoagwood, K. E. (2017). Trauma-informed juvenile justice systems: A systematic review of definitions and core components. Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy, 9(6), 635–646. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000255

Chartrand, L., & Horn, K. (2016). A report on the relationship between restorative justice and Indigenous legal traditions in Canada (Research and Statistics Division, Department of Justice Canada). Justice Canada. https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/rjilt-jrtja/rjilt-jrtja.pdf

Department of Justice Canada. (2021). Black youth and the criminal justice system: Summary report of an engagement process in Canada (Engagement findings). https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/bycjs-yncjs/engagement-resultat.html

Department of Justice Canada. (2021). Evaluation of the Indigenous Justice Program. Government of Canada. https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cp-pm/eval/rep-rap/2021/indigenous-autochtone/rsca-erac.html

DeVeaux, M. (2013). The trauma of the incarceration experience. Harvard Civil Rights–Civil Liberties Law Review, 48, 257–278.

National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. (2025, September 29). Healing‑informed events to honor boarding school survivors update. https://boardingschoolhealing.org/healing-informed-events-to-honor-boarding-school-survivors-update/

Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs Canada, Action Committee on Modernizing Court Operations. (2024). Trauma‑informed approaches to Gladue processes: A statement from the Action Committee. https://www.fja.gc.ca/COVID-19/Gladue-approches-tenant-compte-des-traumatismes-Trauma-informed-Approaches-to-Gladue-Processes-eng.html

Ontario Justice Education Network. (2016, July 12). Restorative justice in the criminal context. https://ojen.ca/wp-content/uploads/Restorative-Justice_0.pdf OJEN+1

Public Safety Canada. (2023, March 9). Parliamentary Committee Notes: Overrepresentation (Indigenous Offenders). https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/trnsprnc/brfng-mtrls/prlmntry-bndrs/20230720/12-en.aspx

The Prison Policy Initiative. (2022, February 28). The impact of prison violence (Report). https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/violence.html

The Sentencing Project. (2021) The color of justice: Racial and ethnic disparity in state prisons. The Sentencing Project. https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/the-color-of-justice-racial-and-ethnic-disparity-in-state-prisons-the-sentencing-project/

​​The Sentencing Project. (2024, February 14). How mandatory minimums perpetuate mass incarceration and what to do about it (Fact sheet). https://www.sentencingproject.org/fact-sheet/how-mandatory-minimums-perpetuate-mass-incarceration-and-what-to-do-about-it/

Tomlinson, K. D. (2016). An examination of deterrence theory: Where do we stand? Federal Probation, 80(3), 33–38. https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/80_3_4_0.pdf

van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin Books

Wiesel, E., & Wiesel, M. (2006). Night (1st ed. of new translation.). Hill and Wang, a

division of Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Why Do Mental Health Issues and Care Make People Shy Away?

Why Do Mental Health Issues and Care Make People Shy Away?

I remember a civilian colleague of mine telling our Chief that she had PTSD, and she said his whole attitude toward her changed. She said it was within short order that she found management treating her differently, and before long, she was being encouraged to go out on retirement. At the time, I pondered why he would be so reactive. This was the softest-spoken person I had ever worked with; she never presented as threatening, unstable, or dangerous. So why would we be so ignorant toward a great colleague? What is it about mental health that makes people so hesitant? It’s not like you can catch PTSD, schizophrenia, or most other DSM-5-TR diagnoses. To be fair, there was a major study in Finland that showed that adolescents who associated with peers with mental illness had a higher risk of developing mental illness, particularly eating disorders and anxiety (Alho et al., 2024). However, if mental health disorders were contagious in the way we think of a contagion, then nearly all practicing therapists would be suffering from a host of conditions.

So, are people afraid of mental health issues because it’s an unknown, we don’t understand it and we are leery of what we don’t understand? Is that, I wondered, why we shy away from mental health care? I initially pursued a consideration of why do people in America shy away from mental health care, but I learned in my research that internationally, even in European countries, people don’t seek care when they need it (Mental Health Million Project, 2021). This entire idea made me wonder why, in this day and age, do we still have so much aversion to seeking help?

Mental Health Million Project conducted a survey of 10 countries, and their findings included:

Over 50% of those with clinical level mental health risks do not seek help. The major reasons are not knowing what kind of help to seek, thinking that it won’t make a difference, and a preference for self-help.

The researchers concluded that stigma was not the only defining issue. Therefore, stigma is not the only issue interfering with criminal justice professionals seeking help. It suggests that even if someone is willing to seek help, they may not know where to start.

Take for example, a colleague who has been exposed to a serious traumatic event at work. If I were to be in a supportive role, and they were willing to seek care, I would still need to help that individual identify a care provider who specializes in trauma treatment. So, I set out to find a therapist in our area who specializes in trauma care. Even in this day of the internet, here is what I found:

A counselor who says she takes contracts from the Veterans Administration. She has a friendly website, speaks about realizing the limited support for law enforcement after her nephew joined the San Jose (California) Police Department. She mentions she isn’t a liberal and is a certified range instructor. Already, my skepticism kicks in, and I am thinking, “she’s trying too hard.”

So the next question is, do I give her contact information to my colleague, do I try to vet her myself first…what the heck? So, in reality, I am stuck, and I am just trying to figure out how to help my colleague. I am not currently in a mental health crisis, I am not facing trauma or worried about my career if I seek help, none of that.

So after going through this exercise, I can see why people don’t know what type of help to seek, and to be skeptical about it working. I became skeptical about the therapist who wants me to believe she can hang with cops. No disrespect to her, I am just being candid about my own bias!

Therefore, we have layers of obstacles when seeking mental health care as a criminal justice professional. There is a hesitancy to admit the need for help, because there is stigma in the general population about mental health, and an added layer of stigma for those in law enforcement and any service field for that matter (i.e., corrections, social work, domestic violence shelters, health care, etc.). If one finds the courage to get past that and decide to seek help, where does one start? Look for a specific type of mental health professional? Then do they take insurance? Or does one go with an Employee Assistance Program referral? Then, does one follow through and call the mental health clinician? Show up and put all of the problems out to a stranger and hope they are able to understand the work and how to help?

I look at this way, we are having the conversations about how to effect change in the industry. How do we destigmatize seeking mental health care? Even on an international level, we have a long way to go. We have come a long way in the past 20 years, but certainly, there is a journey ahead.

By the way, I emailed the therapist who is a gun-toting, cussing, conservative who wants to work with law enforcement. In a brief email, I told her about how important this topic is to me, and that I am seeking to build my professional network as I am interested in pursuing long-term solutions in the industry. My first thought was, is she going to vet me before she even responds? Stay tuned…

References:

Alho, J., Gutvilig, M., Niemi, R., Komulainen, K., Böckerman, P., Webb, R. T., Elovainio, M., & Hakulinen, C. (2024). Transmission of Mental Disorders in Adolescent Peer Networks. JAMA Psychiatry (Chicago, Ill.), 81(9), 882–888. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.1126

Sapien Labs. (2021). Mental Health has Bigger Challenges Than Stigma. Mental Health Million Project. Retrieved from: https://mentalstateoftheworld.report/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rapid-Report-2021-Help-Seeking.pdf

EMDR for Children and Adults with PTSD

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (also known as EMDR) is used in therapeutic approaches to help people face their trauma by using an 8-step treatment plan. During an EMDR session, participants are instructed to complete bilateral stimulation, which is usually saccadic eye movements, which desensitizes the participant and relieves discomfort (Valiente-Gómez et al., 2017). By using EMDR techniques, the participant is able to reprocess their traumatic experiences and work through them. EMDR is beneficial for PTSD in adults, children, and teens due to the ability to work through their trauma in a controlled way. Within EMDR, there are 8 phases that are used during treatment. The 8 stages are history taking, preparation, assessment, desensitisation, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation (Rousseau, 2025). These stages are necessary for EMDR therapy because it helps the participant to take back their trauma and work through it. 

When discussing the benefits of EMDR across all ages, it is important to understand how it can differ for each age group. Specifically, for children, EMDR can be beneficial because there is no at-home work for them to complete. EMDR is used only in professional sessions and cannot be done at home. This is beneficial for children because they will not feel that they do not want to do it because they have been practising at home, making the effects stronger. Not having the option for homework can influence children to want to do it more in a professional setting because they will not feel pressured to do it at home as well. EMDR is also important for adults because they can work through their past trauma in a new mindset. In one session, a participant noted that they “felt each and every step of it (their traumatic event) now. Now it is like a whole, instead of fragments, so it is more manageable” (van der Kolk, 2014, p.g. 370). By having EMDR, participants are able to relive their trauma in a controlled environment and respond in a different way. 

When it comes to EMDR, I find it very compelling because of the ability that it has to help people live through their traumas. EMDR allows people to look at their trauma from a new perspective, allowing them to understand more deeply what happened and hopefully giving them the ability to move forward. Although EMDR has had successful results and has been shown to be effective, it is still debated on if it actually works (Rousseau, 2025). EMDR is a practice that is fairly new in comparison to other forms of treatment options. It has also been found that EMDR has been successful in the treatment of phobias like flight anxiety, but whether or not it's related to PTSD (Valiente-Gómez et al., 2017). This being said, it can be successful in treating phobias that could have been caused by trauma, like if someone survived a plane crash and they have a fear of flying now. In regards to EMDR specifically for children, it has been found to be effective when treating PTSD symptoms (Rodenburg, 2009). The reason why this could be is because children sometimes do not know how to express their emotions in the same manner as adults. 

Overall, when it comes to EMDR practices, the treatment itself is still relatively new. Some claim that there are great successes that come from EMDR. It is hard for researchers to determine if it is a reliable practice because you can not really compare it to another therapeutic approach. EMDR can vary in success depending on the individual who is receiving the treatment. For some, it might not be as successful as other therapeutic approaches, but for others, it can be life-changing. Overall, EMDR is an approach that should be studied more deeply, allowing participants to be able to utilize it in the best way possible. 

References

Rodenburg, R., Benjamin, A., de Roos, C., Meijer, A. M., & Jan Stams, G. (2009, January 3). Efficacy of EMDR in children: A meta-analysis - sciencedirect. Clinical Psychology Review. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735809000890 

Rousseau, D. (2025). Module 6 Trauma And Criminal Justice System [Lesson 4.3]. Blackboard@BU. 

Valiente-Gómez, A., Moreno-Alcázar, A., Treen, D., Cedrón, C., Colom, F., Amann, B. L., & Pérez, V. (2017, September 25). EMDR BEYOND PTSD: A systematic literature review. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01668/full 

Van Der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Amazon Kindle.

Self-care Strategies

Many professionals in high-stress fields regularly encounter the suffering of others, whether through counseling sessions, social work, healthcare, law enforcement, victim services, or crisis response. This vicarious trauma (PTSD-like symptoms from indirect exposure to distressing experiences) can lead to insomnia, irritability, fatigue, and emotional detachment if left unmanaged (Rousseau, 2025). The good news is that personal self-care practices can significantly reduce these effects. Research shows that strategies like mindfulness, journaling, exercise, social support, and setting boundaries build resilience and reduce stress (Kim et al., 2022). Integrating these habits into your daily routine can help maintain mental health despite frequent exposure to intense situations.

Mindfulness Practices
Mindfulness, or focusing attention on the present moment through meditation, breathing exercises, or gentle yoga, is one of the most widely studied coping tools. Studies find that mindfulness-based interventions reliably reduce stress and anxiety across a variety of populations. For example, online mindfulness-based stress reduction programs have been shown to significantly lower perceived stress levels (Zhang et al., 2020). Even short guided meditation sessions or body scans can help improve well-being and interrupt cycles of worry. Mindfulness apps, podcasts, or community classes make it easy to build a regular practice. Taking a few minutes to focus on breathing before or after a stressful task can help “reset” the nervous system.

Reflective Journaling
Writing about experiences is another evidence-backed strategy for processing vicarious stress. A study by Sohal et al. (2022) found that expressive writing, such as honest, personal writing about stressors, can significantly reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Even brief sessions of 5–15 minutes a day can help process difficult emotions and create psychological distance from challenging events (Sohal et al., 2022). Journaling might include venting frustrations, noting moments of gratitude, or brainstorming coping strategies. Over time, this practice supports emotional regulation and perspective-taking, reducing the spillover of work stress into personal life.

Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is a proven stress reducer. Research shows that individuals who exercise regularly experience lower rates of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep disturbances (Stults-Kolehmainen & Sinha, 2014). Moderate activity like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming releases endorphins and helps dissipate physical tension. Exercise also supports better sleep, which in turn strengthens stress resilience. One analysis noted that interventions to improve sleep quality (often combined with physical activity advice) led to medium-sized reductions in stress and anxiety (Scott et al., 2021). This suggests that treating sleep and exercise as serious priorities can make a real difference; even short “micro-workouts” or stretching breaks can reset your mood and energy level.

Social Support
Strong social connections are a protective factor against stress-related health problems. Research indicates that strong relationships with friends, family, or peers can buffer the impact of trauma and stress (Ozbay et al., 2007). Ozbay et al. (2007) summarize decades of studies showing that good social bonds enhance resilience to stress and reduce the risk of trauma symptoms like PTSD. Social support doesn’t have to mean large groups, it can be as simple as maintaining regular contact with a friend, participating in a community activity, or scheduling regular calls with family. Even casual social interactions, like lunch with a coworker or chatting with a neighbor, help reinforce a sense of belonging. Professional counseling or peer support programs can provide specialized help for those processing ongoing vicarious trauma.

Setting Boundaries
Finally, setting boundaries is essential. Without clear limits, it’s easy to let work or emotionally demanding responsibilities spill into every area of life. This might mean establishing “off hours” without email, limiting exposure to distressing media outside work, or saying no to extra commitments when already taxed. Scheduling regular downtime and fun activities is just as important as meeting deadlines. Gradual habits such as leaving work at a reasonable hour, going outside to enjoy the sunlight, or limiting time on social media before bed reinforce that life beyond school or work matter too. Researchers emphasize that consistent, intentional self-care (rather than occasional crisis management) is key to preventing burnout (Kim et al., 2022). By treating self-care (and the above strategies) as part of your day to day, you maintain the mental strength needed to succeed in your professional life.

References:
Kim, J., Chesworth, B., Franchino-Olsen, H., & Macy, R. J. (2022). A Scoping Review of Vicarious Trauma Interventions for Service Providers Working With People Who Have Experienced Traumatic Events. Trauma, violence & abuse, 23(5), 1437–1460. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838021991310

Ozbay, F., Johnson, D. C., Dimoulas, E., Morgan, C. A., Charney, D., & Southwick, S. (2007). Social support and resilience to stress: from neurobiology to clinical practice. Psychiatry (Edgmont (Pa. : Township)), 4(5), 35–40.

Rousseau, D. (2025). Module 1: Introduction to Trauma. Boston University.

Scott, A. J., Webb, T. L., Martyn-St James, M., Rowse, G., & Weich, S. (2021). Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Sleep medicine reviews, 60, 101556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101556

Sohal, M., Singh, P., Dhillon, B. S., & Gill, H. S. (2022). Efficacy of journaling in the management of mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Family medicine and community health, 10(1), e001154. https://doi.org/10.1136/fmch-2021-001154

Stults-Kolehmainen, M., & Sinha, R. (2014). The effects of stress on physical activity and exercise. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 44(1), 81–121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-013-0090-5

Zhang, Y., Xue, J., & Huang, Y. (2020). A meta-analysis: Internet mindfulness-based interventions for stress management in the general population. Medicine, 99(28), e20493. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000020493

Opt-in Versus Opt-out: Mental Health Resources for Police Officers

Police officers encounter trauma on a daily basis at work. Unlike civilians, police officers have to continue to perform their job as first responders until the situation is finished. In a shooting, police officers do not have the option to get in their car and drive away to safety or to call loved ones. They are expected to protect the public and to pursue the threat until it is under control. This opens the door of opportunity to trauma in many ways for police officers. While a police department may provide officers with resources to discuss their acquired trauma and to obtain treatment, there are many barriers that prevent officers from following up on this resource even if they may need it. 

Four main barriers reported by police officers to report their trauma on and request treatment are 1) losing their job 2) having their license to carry a firearm taken away 3) reassignment within the department to a less stressful position and 4) ridicule and humiliation (being seen as weak) (Rousseau, 2025).

The number one cause of death in police officers is suicide (Rousseau, 2025). Officers who fail to maintain stable mental health may become a liability as an officer and if that is the case, they may be let go by their department. When an officer reports concerns of mental health and possible PTSD, their license to carry (LTC), and patrol weapon may be confiscated until their mental health returns to stable. Additionally, a department may reassign an officer to a less stressful position while they take care of their mental health and as a result this may be more de-stabilizing and disorienting, and the fear of being reassigned may prevent officers from expressing their struggles. Finally, they can suffer ridicule or humiliation socially and internally. Internally, an officer who seeks out resources and mental health treatment may feel weak when they do not see their coworkers doing the same. They may feel alone and confused about why they need help and their co-workers do not. Socially, a team of officers could ridicule an officer who seeks out help when the whole team is exposed to the same traumas and deems them not traumatizing enough to need help. One person may struggle while the others are fine, and they may be outcast and ridiculed for not being able to handle the work. As a result of this hesitation to obtain help, many officers hide their struggles and this only makes the stress and trauma harder to deal with.

One of the possible contributors to the fears of officers to obtain resources when needed is that the mental health resources a department provides operate on an opt-in basis. For an officer to obtain mental health resources, they would need to admit that they need help to their HR or their supervisor. This alone may be a barrier to entry as they may already fear repercussions for merely wanting to talk to someone. Additionally, an officer may have never been to therapy or received mental health treatment before and this may be too intimidating especially when they are already emotionally vulnerable. An Opt-in model for mental health resources presents a barrier to entry that will prevent officers from obtaining the help they need, further contributing to the reasons they don’t seek out help in the first place. 

Switching to an opt-out model for mental health resources could trump barriers to entry and could help provide proactive resources to officers instead of just reactive resources. If the mental health resources were opt-out, and officers had to make an effort to not receive help rather than to receive help, they may be more inclined to reach out. 

One workplace that has already tested implementation of this opt-out model is one hospital residency program. Within a hospital, medical students studied for seven months. One group of students was given resources to opt-in to therapy if they wanted it and the other group was scheduled for therapy and could opt-out, or cancel, their session (Guldner Et. al. 2024).. At the end of the study, the data showed that only 6% of residents opted-in to therapy (Guldner Et. al. 2024). However, in the opt-out group 55% of residents kept their appointments and 39% opted-in for additional sessions than was required (Guldner Et. al. 2024).. This study shows that individuals may want therapy and could enjoy the benefits of therapy, but the barrier to entry, even if it is just to call and schedule an appointment, may be a barrier enough to prevent the use of services. 

An opt-out system for mental health resources or counselling could be very beneficial and effective for a police department. For example, officers could have mandatory meetings with a mental health professional once a month or bi-weekly for the first two years of employment as a first responder, and then after that have the option to opt-out of services if they want to. This way, the stigma of being in counseling evaporates because everyone has been in it, and officers do not have to worry about asking where the resources are because they are already required to engage with them. Additionally, if an officer recognizes that they may be struggling, the barrier to re-enter into therapy services will be minimized because they already have rapport with the mental health professional working for their department, and they already know what to expect, and can rest-assured that their job, assignment, social standing, and license to carry will not be threatened by reaching out for help. 

An opt-out model of mental health resources for police officers has tremendous potential and could be a great tool to improve officer wellness, employee retention, and to mitigate officer liability. 

References

Davis, Joseph A. (1998). Providing Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) to Individuals and Communities. Chapter 4. The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, Inc. https://nzsar.govt.nz/assets/Downloadable-Files/Critical-Incident-Stress-Debriefing.pdf

Guldner, G., Siegel, J. T., Broadbent, C., Ayutyanont, N., Streletz, D., Popa, A., Fuller, J., & Sisemore, T. (2024). Use of an Opt-Out vs Opt-In Strategy Increases Use of Residency Mental Health Services. Journal of graduate medical education, 16(2), 195–201. https://doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-23-00460.1

Rousseau, D. (2025). Trauma and Policing. Boston University.

Posttraumatic Growth: Real or Illusory?

Posttraumatic Growth: Real or Illusory

What is Posttraumatic Growth?

The term posttraumatic growth, or PTG, was coined by Tedeschi and Calhoun as "the experience of positive change that occurs as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life crises. It is manifested in a variety of ways, including an increased appreciation for life in general, more meaningful interpersonal relationships, an increased sense of personal strength, changed priorities, and a richer existential and spiritual life." (Rousseau, 2025). Tedeschi and Calhoun (2014) found that survivors gain an increased sense of their capabilities to survive and prevail despite, as well as an added value for the smaller things in life. Some even suggest that PTG may actually be more common than the development of PTSD after a traumatic event.

In a number of studies recounted by Tedeschi and Calhoun (2014) findings indicate that cognitive processing, supportive social environments, and life narrative is all important in the process of achieving PTG. Cognitive processing is beneficial in that it helps survivors reflect and process emotions rather than engaging in constant brooding over their situation (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2014). Having strong social support is also extremely influential in the process of PTG and naturally this makes sense. Studies found that when people affected by trauma perceive their significant others as not wanting to hear about their difficulties, cognitive processing may be inhibited (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2014). Lastly, life narrative is important in that the way in which a survivor sees themselves and tells their story can set the stage for fundamental changes in their outlook on the future (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2014).

It is also important to note that Tedeschi and Calhoun do not dismiss the fact that traumatic events will cause emotional and psychological hurdles in one's life. They suggest that both trauma responses and emotional turmoil can coexist with factors of PTG. Immediately after a traumatic event, an individual will struggle to cope emotionally and mentally, but eventually can progress after time towards developing PTG.

Problems with Posttraumatic Growth

While research on PTG seems promising, other researchers have found that PTG may not actually be that common. Some even indicate that PTG is illusory, a way for survivors to appear as though they are coping better than most or as a defensive mirage to their actual feelings. According to Camille Wortman (2004) in a study done on people who experienced the traumatic death of a loved one, found that "those whose assumptions about the world have been most shattered by the event are far less likely to experience growth than those in the other groups", with 2% of respondents saying they found positive benefits in the result of their situations. Further, Tedeschi and Calhoun claim that strong social environment is a factor to the development of PTG, while Wortman found that literature suggests "in most cases, people do not react positively to others’ attempts to provide a new perspective on what has happened” (Wortman, 2004).

Wortman is not the only scholar concerned with the validity of Tedeschi and Calhoun's claims of the prevalence of PTG. Jayawickreme et al (2021) also find fault with the studies conducted in support of PTG. These researchers start with three errors in the measurement of PTG as a whole. First, many life events are relatively rare and therefore require access to a sufficiently large population to ensure that the sample is large enough to provide statistical power (Jayawickreme et al, 2021). Second, the timing of data collection is complicated by the fact that many life events are not predictable (Jayawickreme et al, 2021). Third, not everyone is equally prone to experience certain life events, such that individual differences may impact both the experience of events and the outcomes of those events (Jayawickreme et al, 2021). The measurement of PTG is often used by a checklist in which Tedeschi and Calhoun created. However, measuring PTG cannot be as simple as a checklist. Individuals experience everything differently, it is almost impossible to know (through the use of checklists) the "weight" that someone gives one event over another in their life. Therefore, having a PTG checklist for experimental purposes, may not actually be valid or reliable in terms of measurement.

Posttraumatic Growth as a Personality Change

Jayawickreme et al instead, challenge these limitations on the studies of PTG by suggesting we look at PTG as a form of positive personality change. Researchers suggest that character strengths can emerge from traumatic events, specifically what they call wisdom-related character aspects which include intellectual humility, open-mindedness to diverse perspectives on an issue, understanding the multiple ways in which situations may unfold, and empathy (Jaywickreme et al, 2021). Thus, promoting a bigger picture view on life, enhancing open mindedness. Where in contrast, it is pointed out that "adopting the habitual immersed reflection on adverse events may lead to re-experiencing the negative emotions evoked by the event and ruminating about the event inhibits character growth" (Jayawickreme, 2021).

Potentially the strongest point made by the idea of PTG as personality change, addresses Tedecshi and Calhoun's assumption that narrative identity is important in developing PTG. Jayawickreme et al (2021) found that the process of narrating and revising stories about key life events over time may facilitate changes in the individual’s self-concept. The narrative reconstruction process may eventually facilitate positive personality change at the level of narrative identity by facilitating greater adjustment and well-being (Jayawickreme, 2021).

A Personal Reflection

The idea of PTG is one that I personally take a liking to because I believe to have experienced it. About six years ago, I experienced an ongoing traumatic period of roughly eight months. During that period of time I was withdrawn, isolated, depressed, and experienced flashbacks. My perception of the world and myself changed and through it all I lacked a support system of people who understood what I was going through. After I removed myself from the situation, I struggled with acceptance of myself and from others who had accepted me prior to the events months before. Ultimately, it changed how I approached my relationship with myself and others.

Four years later, I constantly struggled with self-esteem and maintaining relationships. I was in a tumultuous living situation which exacerbated all those feelings. After I found yet multiple other relationships breaking down in front of me, I decided I was done. I no longer wanted to feel the way I had in the past and I wanted to start living for myself. I started trying new things, making new friends, journaling, and working on myself. I took up weightlifting, went to therapy, and listened to self-help podcasts. I did the hard work and in turn made progress in life. I felt emotionally and mentally stronger, I forgave those who hurt me and forgave myself for what I didn't know when I was going through it all. I felt I had more opportunities and better relationships. Today, I am so much stronger than I thought I would be five years ago and while for me, PTG did not occur within months or even a year after, I still experienced growth.

While the lack of validity and reliability in PTG research as pointed out by Worton and Jayawickreme et al is strong, I believe more research needs to be done all around on both sides of the argument. Most of the longitudinal studies in which Worton and Jayawickreme site as counterpoints to Tedeschi and Calhoun do not go past two years of the traumatic incident, which as I pointed out for me took four years. Additionally, there may not be a great way to collect data on PTG given the fact that trauma in and of itself is very personal and everyone experiences life events differently. However, I believe that if we find the right people, there is more evidence of PTG than skeptics may realize, it may just not be as an immediate effect as thought. Additionally, I can say that for my own journey, a supportive environment did affect my growth as well as changing the narrative in which I told myself. I would view my PTG as a positive change in personality, that eventually rewired my brain in a way that changed how I now approach life. Therefore, I would not be so quick to dismiss the prospect of posttraumatic growth in anyone.

References:

Jayawickreme, E., et al (2021). Post-traumatic growth as positive personality change: Challenges, opportunities, and recommendations. Journal of personality, 89(1), 145–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12591

Rousseau, D. (2025). Lesson 1.2: Addressing Trauma. Boston University

Tedeschi, R., & Calhoun, L. (2014). Chapter 30: Clinical Applications of Posttraumatic Growth. In Positive Psychology in Practice: Promoting Human Flourishing in Work, Health, Education, and Everyday Life (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 503–518). essay, John Wiley & Sons.

Wortman, Camille. (2004). Posttraumatic Growth: Progress and Problems. Psychological Inquiry. 15