18Nov

Posted by: Jessi Andricks Categories: Career Advice Stress Management
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trauma-informed lens as an slp

As SLPs, we are faced with a lot of uncertainty, feelings and emotions – from ourselves and those we serve. It is not rare for us to be face to face with trauma – either our own or with a patient/client/student who has faced trauma and is working through it. This is why it is important,a s clinicians, to acknowledge, learn, and approach our work from a Trauma-Informed Lens and Perspective. 

Using a Trauma-Informed Lens as an SLP is not about providing mental health counseling to those in trauma, but instead is about being  respectful, supportive and mindful to the experiences, challenges and struggles that others (and yourself) might have experienced. It is easy to think that the people we work with have never experienced trauma, but the truth is, we often don;t know. 

And, it is worth mentioning, in 2020, most people are dealing with a bit of trauma due to the sudden and swift life and daily changes from COVID-19. 

Relias describes the Trauma-Informed Lens as this: Trauma-informed care shifts the focus from viewing trauma as an injury, ‘what is wrong with you?’ to ‘what has happened to you? What have you experienced?.’ 

trauma-informed lens as an slp

In the latest episode of the SLP Stress Management Podcast, I have the honor of speaking with fellow SLP, Rachel Archambault, to discuss how we can use the Trauma-Informed Lens as an SLP. You might know Rachel from her IG account, PTSD.SLP, or from her conference presentations on PTSD and Trauma-Informed Approach to Therapy.

Here is a little more about Rachel:

Rachel Archambault, a.k.a. The PTSD SLP is in her fifth year as an SLP at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. After the traumatic event on 2/14/18, she has implemented trauma-informed practices during her speech sessions to create a safe learning environment. Rachel has also created an instagram page @PTSD.SLP to give SLPs and other professionals the tools to work with students that have experienced trauma. She has presented at FLASHA and has recently been awarded the distinction of Early Career Professional by ASHA.

As Rachel says in the interview “There is no rule book for this“.

During the episode, we discuss what you can do for trauma-related stress for yourself and your students (clients, patients). Here are a few things we talk about:

  • Rachel’s story and how it shapes her work as an SLP
  • Trauma-informed approach to your own stress management and reductions (because, yes, this year has dealt a LOT of trauma to many people)
  • Trauma-Informed Care for your students and those you work with
  • COVID-19 trauma (it’s real and most likely affects you or someone you know)
  • ACEs and resources to learn more about them
  • Resources to learn more about incorporating this approach to your work

Here are some of the resources discussed in the episode:

You can listen below or on your favorite podcast app:

You can also catch up on all the episodes of the SLP Stress Management Podcast here.

If you are looking for some ways to work on managing your own stress as an SLP, make sure to check out the SLP Stress Management Course (you can get info here) and sign up below to subscribe to the SLP Toolbox, a FREE resource library full of tools to help SLPs reduce and manage stress.

Much Love,

Jessi

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