Throughout July and August FD Consultants want to highlight the diverse expertise and professionalism amongst its associates. This week, Fiona Dunkley, the founder of FD Consultants, gives an overview of the specialisms and criteria required for the high calibre of associates. FD CONSULTANTS is a global psychological health consultancy and focuses on caring for the carers of our world. FD Consultants offer services to client organisations in the Humanitarian Sector, Emergency First responders, Mental Health Charities, and Journalists. We have recently supported the wellbeing of staff working for the Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence professions, due to the risk of exposure to online traumatic material. There is a lot of miscommunication and misunderstanding in psychological trauma care. There are many therapists that say they work with trauma who are not specialists and are not trained in evidence-based models. FD Consultants are unique as the founder is a senior accredited BACP psychotherapist, trauma specialist, trainer, supervisor, mediator and author. This means FD Consultants are led by an expert in the field. We are not focused on becoming a large Employee Assistance Programme, as we want to offer a specialist and relational service. FD Consultants want to make the world a better place, alongside the client organisations we work for. Our values are Creativity, Compassion and Collaboration. We strongly believe in a collaborative approach to working and promote a multi-lateral, multi-sectoral service that works across prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services. FD Consultants is a network of over 50 global specialist therapists. All associates are highly skilled, experienced and qualified to meet the requirements to work for FD Consultants. We only take associates with over 10 years’ experience and have “accredited” status (country dependant). We offer appointments and training in over 20 languages. Associates have experience of working in the humanitarian sector, have worked or lived internationally, facilitate training, and have trauma expertise. Due to the high calibre of associates we have many qualified supervisors, senior accredited members, training of trainers (TOT), and management/leadership consultants. Additionally, some associates are trained in TF-CBT and EMDR (trauma specialist counselling recommended by NICE, WHO and APA) and work in crisis management. FD Consultants model of psychosocial support is well tested in the private, public and charity sector. We offer an evidence-based and tailored programme of psychological services that cover public health frameworks of wellbeing, i.e. across prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. As most of our associates have worked in other careers before retraining as therapists, we have a good understanding of the sectors we work in. Many associates have previous careers in, human rights law, refugee and asylum support, FGM, LGBTI+, civil unrest, gender-based violence, racial injustice, false imprisonment, sexual violence, slavery, human trafficking, natural disasters and pandemics, torture, prison services, police, ambulance and fire fighters, educational settings, forensics, journalists, and INGOs, to name a few. Some extracts taken from our previous posts over the last two months showcasing FD Consultants associates: I joined FD Consultants at the start of 2019 with an academic and professional background in the fields of human rights, international development and gender-based violence (GBV) and with a clinical focus on refugees and trauma. Having lived internationally, in the Middle East, Balkans and in Europe during these years, I also had some knowledge of the aid sector field context … At FD Consultants we attend to each of our clients with trauma specialist expertise and an understanding of the unique contexts in which humanitarian, human rights staff and first responders work. Most recently, as part of the COVID-19 humanitarian response, FD Consultants’ Associates have been carrying out consultations with humanitarian aid staff preparing to deploy, the majority of whom are well seasoned in epidemic emergency settings… By building relationships with these organisations, providing individual services to their staff and, by providing vital monitoring and evaluation, FD Consultants directly contributes to achieving the goals and objectives of the humanitarian sector through enhancing its duty of care policies (Arianna Rondos, UKCP accredited psychotherapist with over 10 years’ experience). "I've been involved with FD Consultants from the outset and it has brought a really interesting variety of work my way. This has ranged from psychological 'health-checks' with young people setting off to volunteer overseas, to initial trauma assessments with organisational staff who have been involved in traumatic incidents, to psychological reviews with individuals returning from particularly challenging international assignments. Over recent months, working with individuals who have been relocated, or whose roles have changed significantly due to the coronavirus pandemic has been especially interesting (Felicity Runchman, BACP accredited psychotherapist with over 10 years’ experience). “Researchers have found that those using the Trauma Informed Care (TIC) approach within organisations have better informed staff on Trauma awareness, they provide more of an emphasis on emotional and physical safety, they promote opportunities to rebuild control and provide a ‘strengths-based approach – helping to support and identify strengths and coping mechanisms. During my work with FD Consultants, I have witnessed the TIR approach... Recognising the Covid-19 Crisis as another traumatic event in so many ways, I have been working with Fiona to roll-out a programme of trainings to help staff and managers work through their issues, from stress management through to a Crisis Management approach” (Claire Pooley a senior BACP accredited psychotherapist, Traumatologist, Accredited EMDR Practitioner, Supervisor and Trainer with over 30 years’ experience). “Fiona is an incredible and motivated individual with a true passion for supporting the carers of our world. I have had the pleasure to work with Fiona on a wide range of research projects, and Fiona's professionalism, attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond to meet client organisation's needs are a rare find in the sector. Fiona challenges organisations to think bigger and be better in supporting their staff's mental health needs. FD Consultants provide high quality, bespoke and professional trauma informed mental health services, and consultancy” (Yasmin Lee, Public health Consultants, Mental Health, HIV & Covid-19). Please do contact us at [email protected] if you require our psychological support services. For organisations looking for employee psychological support, FD Consultants are the trauma specialists and well-being service who will best deliver a reliable, quick, and bespoke support system in the workplace. FD Consultant’s team of accredited specialists will offer ongoing support to help manage stress, prevent burnout and provide specialist trauma care where required, enabling your staff with the tools to cope, and recover more quickly.
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Throughout July FD Consultants want to highlight the diverse expertise and professionalism amongst its associates. Claire Pooley is a senior BACP accredited psychotherapist with 30 years’ experience. She is a trained Traumatologist, Accredited EMDR practitioner, Supervisor and Trainer. Below Claire writes about her recent work, and her experience as an associate for FD Consultants. My training in the 80’s as a Mental Health Nurse lacked any consideration for a Psychologically Informed Environment. The structure of the day was centred on the needs of the multi-disciplinary team – ‘we know best’. We were the ‘well’ and the patients were the ‘unwell’. The separateness was enshrouded in keeping our professional boundaries. Our own personal welfare was also a non-concern of the hospital and I didn’t meet an Occupational Health team even at the beginning of my nursing, at the early and naïve age of just 17. We gave little attention to the patient’s possible experiences of trauma and yet, on reflection, I have little doubt that most of the patients I cared for would have experienced, or were experiencing, some form of trauma. We also didn’t spend any time on how the impact of the patient’s lives would have on our own. We used a “sic” sense of humour to laugh off any difficulties and would not dare to share any personal vulnerabilities. I currently facilitate workshops within a large Homeless/Housing project who have not only embraced the Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) approach but they have rolled out compulsory courses to ensure Trauma Informed Care (TIC), Reflective Practise and staff welfare are a high priority in the workplace. I find this organisation a breath of fresh air. At the beginning of each training day, I ask the attendees about their understanding of PIE and TIC and sit back and watch the energy and enthusiasm emanate in the room. It is not just a whim or a paper exercise, they believe in it and, at its best, it truly works for them. At worst, particularly for some of the lone workers, it would appear that more needs to be done to provide appropriate staff support. This is a work in progress. So what do we understand by these two concepts? Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) recognises the gaps in services, particularly for those with complex and interrelated issues and provide the non-clinically trained staff responses for an appropriate and improved support provision. The approach ensures a service develops:
Trauma Informed Care (TIC) is an approach which can be adopted by organisations to improve awareness of trauma and its impact and ensure their service provision offers effective support and prevents the possibility of re-traumatisation of those using or providing the services. Those using the approach:
Researchers have found that those using the TIC approach within organisations have better informed staff on Trauma awareness, they provide more of an emphasis on emotional and physical safety, they promote opportunities to rebuild control and provide a ‘strengths-based approach – helping to support and identify strengths and coping mechanisms. A superb example was shared by a trainee recently on one of the courses where she was struggling to remain client-centred whilst working with someone who “poisoned every act of kindness”. She was left feeling angry and was struggling to cut off at the end of her working day and felt a strong resistance to returning to work the following day. She was able to approach her team manager who called a ‘Reflections Meeting’, where staff were encouraged to talk about the feelings of “when things get tough at work”. She was able to share her experience and realise she was not alone and between them, found each other’s strengths and abilities to address the situation. She spoke of moving from “anger to compassion to healing” through the process and describes a collective sense of supportiveness and holding. During my work with FD Consultants, I have witnessed these approaches within some of the Humanitarian teams whilst providing preventative and trauma-focussed therapies to their staff. I have heard individuals who have felt held and supported through some very isolating and stressful traumas and have witnessed a non-judgemental and holding within their team, HR and management. Thus strengthening the resourcefulness of the individual and the team. They know they can speak out and raise difficult issues and believe they can be supported to carry out their goals. A safer place to work. Recognising the Covid-19 Crisis as another traumatic event in so many ways, I have been working with Fiona to roll-out a programme of trainings to help staff and managers work through their issues, from stress management through to a Crisis Management approach. I have also returned to the NHS to provide my local hospital staff with a programme of group therapies (GTEP RISC), which helps the staff to process some of their experiences and the effects that Covid-19 has had on them. Both are forms of Trauma Informed Care. For those who have not adopted this approach, I highly recommend it. Fiona Dunkley’s book, recently re-launched in a paperback form, “Psychosocial Support for Humanitarian Aid Workers: A Roadmap of Trauma and Critical Incident Care” (Dunkley, 2018) highlights the TIC approach and the need for proactive prevention and staff resilience. For organisations looking for employee psychological support, FD Consultants are the trauma specialists and well-being service who will best deliver a reliable, quick, and bespoke support system in the workplace. FD Consultant’s team of accredited specialists will offer ongoing support to help manage stress, prevent burnout and provide specialist trauma care where required, enabling your staff with the tools to cope, and recover more quickly References:
The efficacy of psychological interventions to increase wellbeing is, in many ways, the heart of positive psychology. While positive psychology can be beneficial in a multitude of individual and group contexts, incorporating concepts such as virtues, strengths, and mindfulness to your work with groups can help create a supportive framework for growth and development. This support network has the potential to increase wellbeing, connectedness, hope, life purpose, and vocational calling – and that is just the tip of the iceberg. So how can you, as a facilitator, create a group learning experience that is positive, professional, and valuable? 6 Tips to Successfully Teach Positive Psychology in Groups 1. Encourage Experiential Learning According to Biswas-Diener & Patterson (2011), when teaching positive psychology in a group setting an experiential approach with an emphasis on the practical applications of positive psychology – rather than merely memorising content – is vital. Put simply, practitioners who instruct clients on the effects of various interventions should then encourage clients to practice those interventions in their own lives to maximise the potential for positive outcomes. The goal of positive psychology instruction should be more than transferring knowledge; it should also incorporate practical exercises, activities, and tools that can be connected and applied to real-life situations. In this way, when clients learn about particular topics, they can connect the material to concrete experiences. 2. Develop Group Cohesion Cohesion is a uniting force within any group. A sense of unity and cohesion encourages cooperation and commitment toward group goals, effective communication, a sense of inclusion, and attraction to the group and individual members. Group cohesion has two distinct dimensions (Johnson, Burlingame, Olsen, Davies, & Gleave, 2005):
Additionally, cohesion can be inspired through constructive communication and the resolution of conflicts in a positive way before they spiral out of control. 3. Create a Positive Learning Experience An essential facet of positive psychology is engaged learning, whereby employees can process new information in meaningful ways and actively participate in the learning experience. Those who experience a positive learning environment are likely to share their experiences with others, which can result in positive word-of-mouth and a greater reputation in the marketplace. 4. Use Positive Language Rather than focusing on deficits and problems, positive language creates opportunities for hope, change, and improvement. Actively incorporating non-judgmental, inclusive, and future-oriented language can help improve employees’ ability to recognise their strengths and identify the good in themselves and their surrounding environment. 5. Provide Clear Feedback In the absence of feedback, your group may find it challenging to learn and progress. Feedback guides, motivates and reinforces effective behaviours while simultaneously reducing ineffective behaviours. Within a group setting feedback can be given to individual members, subsets of members, or the group as a whole and is an effective tool for development and evaluation. Feedback can help groups to learn and develop in four ways:
6. Respect Your Ethical Responsibilities Ethical codes not only guide the standards for appropriate conduct, but they also promote transparency and accountability. Groups should incorporate the following to ensure high standards of conduct are maintained when working together:
In this excellent podcast interview Trauma Therapist Fiona Dunkley is interviewed by the Arukah Network and shares her knowledge of some of the keys to trauma recovery. Fiona has worked with communities hit by terrorism, citizens in post-conflict countries, firefighters and sexual assault survivors. In this interview she discusses the role that community can play in helping people overcome their trauma. We hope you enjoy listening! |
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