Back from the edge of the world: Re-authoring a story of practice with stress and trauma using gestalt theories and narrative approaches

Journal article


Pack, Margaret Jane. (2008). Back from the edge of the world: Re-authoring a story of practice with stress and trauma using gestalt theories and narrative approaches. Journal of Systemic Therapies. 27(3), pp. 30 - 44.
AuthorsPack, Margaret Jane
Abstract

The aim of this article is to offer an ongoing reflection of the difficulties of working with trauma survivors within mental health agencies which provide brief models of intervention. The dilemma of how to work safely, respectively, and collaboratively with clients who present with a history of trauma is highlighted. The author reflects on her own experience of vicarious traumatization through her practice with a long-term survivor of domestic abuse. The team and organizational narratives which are embedded in the medical and managerial models in the mental health services are reflected upon as constraining the environment in which the author is able to provide a context for the client's healing and collegial practice. By witnessing the abuse survivor's story of survival drawing upon themes in the "New Trauma Therapy," Gestalt and Narrative therapy practice frameworks, the author suggests that other versions of the "story" are made available for the client and for the worker that offer a greater sense of "personal agency." These "re-authored" narratives offer a way forward for the client, individual worker, and team.

Year2008
JournalJournal of Systemic Therapies
Journal citation27 (3), pp. 30 - 44
PublisherGuilford Publications, Inc.
ISSN1195-4396
Web address (URL)https://search.proquest.com/docview/222533227?accountid=8194
Page range30 - 44
Research GroupSchool of Allied Health
Place of publicationUnited States of America
Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/89729/back-from-the-edge-of-the-world-re-authoring-a-story-of-practice-with-stress-and-trauma-using-gestalt-theories-and-narrative-approaches

  • 76
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as

Related outputs

The role of managers in critical incident stress management programmes: A qualitative study of New Zealand social workers
Pack, Margaret. (2014). The role of managers in critical incident stress management programmes: A qualitative study of New Zealand social workers. Journal of Social Work Practice. 28(1), pp. 43 - 57. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2013.828279
Vicarious Resilience : A Multi-layered Model of Stress and Trauma
Pack, Margaret. (2014). Vicarious Resilience : A Multi-layered Model of Stress and Trauma. Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work. 29(1), pp. 18 - 29. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886109913510088
Practice journeys: using online reflective journals in social work field work education
Pack, Margaret. (2014). Practice journeys: using online reflective journals in social work field work education. Reflective Practice. 15(3), pp. 404 - 412.
Northern exposure: Intergrating disaster management in a humanitarian and community studies program in the Northern Territory of Australia
Pack, Margaret. (2014). Northern exposure: Intergrating disaster management in a humanitarian and community studies program in the Northern Territory of Australia. Advances in Social Work and Welfare Education. 16(2), pp. 73 - 85.
The Role of Managers in Critical Incident Stress Management Programmes : A Qualitative Study of New Zealand Social Workers
Pack, Margaret. (2013). The Role of Managers in Critical Incident Stress Management Programmes : A Qualitative Study of New Zealand Social Workers. Journal of Social Work Practice. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2013.828279
Vicarious Traumatisaton and Resilience : An Ecological Systems Approach to Sexual Abuse Counsellors' Trauma and Stress
Pack, Margaret. (2013). Vicarious Traumatisaton and Resilience : An Ecological Systems Approach to Sexual Abuse Counsellors' Trauma and Stress. Sexual Abuse in Australia and New Zealand.
A Tale of Two Programmes : Developing Communities of Learning with Practice Partners in Social Work and Humanitarian Studies at Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory, Australia
Pack, Margaret. (2013). A Tale of Two Programmes : Developing Communities of Learning with Practice Partners in Social Work and Humanitarian Studies at Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory, Australia. Social Work Education: a journal for education and training in local authority. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2012.745846
Building Safe Communities : Teaching Social Work Students About the Importance of Comprehensive Strengths-Based Approaches of Offender Rehabilitation
Pack, Margaret. (2013). Building Safe Communities : Teaching Social Work Students About the Importance of Comprehensive Strengths-Based Approaches of Offender Rehabilitation. Practice: Social Work in Action. https://doi.org/10.1080/09503153.2013.829438
An evaluation of Critical-Reflection on Service-Users and Their Families' Narratives as a Teaching Resource in a Post-Graduate Allied Mental Health Program : An Integrative Approach
Pack, Margaret. (2013). An evaluation of Critical-Reflection on Service-Users and Their Families' Narratives as a Teaching Resource in a Post-Graduate Allied Mental Health Program : An Integrative Approach. Social Work in Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2012.748003
Building Safe Communities : Teaching Social Work Students About the Importance of Comprehensive Strengths-Based Approaches of Offender Rehabilitation
Pack, Margaret. (2013). Building Safe Communities : Teaching Social Work Students About the Importance of Comprehensive Strengths-Based Approaches of Offender Rehabilitation. Practice: Social Work in Action. https://doi.org/10.1080/09503153.2013.829438
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing: An Exploratory Study of Social Workers' Preferred Models of CISM and Experiences of CISD in New Zealand
Pack, Margaret. (2012). Critical Incident Stress Debriefing: An Exploratory Study of Social Workers' Preferred Models of CISM and Experiences of CISD in New Zealand. Social Work in Mental Health. 10(4), pp. 273 - 293. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2012.657297
Two sides to every story: a phenomenological exploration of the meanings of clinical supervision from supervisee and supervisor perspectives
Pack, Margaret. (2012). Two sides to every story: a phenomenological exploration of the meanings of clinical supervision from supervisee and supervisor perspectives. Journal of Social Work Practice. 26(2), pp. 163 - 179. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2011.611302
More than you know :critically reflecting on learning experiences by attuning to the ÔÇÿcommunity of learnersÔÇÖ
Pack, Margaret. (2011). More than you know :critically reflecting on learning experiences by attuning to the ÔÇÿcommunity of learnersÔÇÖ. Reflective Practice. 12(1), pp. 115 - 125. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2011.542080
Defining moments in practice. Clinical supervision as a method of promoting critical reflection in fieldwork :A qualitative inquiry
Pack, Margaret. (2011). Defining moments in practice. Clinical supervision as a method of promoting critical reflection in fieldwork :A qualitative inquiry. Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work. 23(4), pp. 45 - 54.
Review Article :People who present on multiple occasions to emergency departments
Nelson, Katherine, Connor, Margaret, Wensley, Cynthia, Moss, Cheryle, Pack, Margaret and Hussey, Tania. (2011). Review Article :People who present on multiple occasions to emergency departments. Emergency Medicine Australasia. 23(5), pp. 532 - 540. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-6723.2011.01449.x
Discovering an integrated framework for practice :a qualitative investigation of theories used by social workers working as sexual abuse therapists
Pack, Margaret. (2011). Discovering an integrated framework for practice :a qualitative investigation of theories used by social workers working as sexual abuse therapists. Journal of Social Work Practice. 25(1), pp. 79 - 93. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2010.530646
Revisions to the therapeutic relationship: A qualitative inquiry into sexual abuse therapists' theories for practice as a mitigating factor in vicarious traumatisation
Pack, Margaret Jane. (2010). Revisions to the therapeutic relationship: A qualitative inquiry into sexual abuse therapists' theories for practice as a mitigating factor in vicarious traumatisation. Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work. 21(4), pp. 73 - 82.
Career themes in the lives of sexual abuse counsellors: A qualitative inquiry into therapists' responses to stress and trauma
Pack, Margaret Jane. (2010). Career themes in the lives of sexual abuse counsellors: A qualitative inquiry into therapists' responses to stress and trauma. New Zealand Journal of Counselling. 30(2), pp. 75 - 92.
Allies in learning: Critical-reflective practice on-line with allied mental health practitioners
Pack, Margaret Jane. (2010). Allies in learning: Critical-reflective practice on-line with allied mental health practitioners. Social Work Education. 29(1), pp. 67 - 79. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615470902810876
Transformation in progress: The effects of trauma on the significant others of sexual abuse therapsts
Pack, Margaret Jane. (2010). Transformation in progress: The effects of trauma on the significant others of sexual abuse therapsts. Qualitative Social Work. 9(2), pp. 1 - 17. https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325009361008
The body as a site of knowing: Sexual abuse counsellors' responses to traumatic disclosures
Pack, Margaret. (2009). The body as a site of knowing: Sexual abuse counsellors' responses to traumatic disclosures. Women's Studies Journal. 23(2), pp. 46 - 56.
Clinical supervision: An interdisciplinary review of literature with implications for reflective practice in social work
Pack, Margaret Jane. (2009). Clinical supervision: An interdisciplinary review of literature with implications for reflective practice in social work. Reflective Practice. 10(5), pp. 657 - 668. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623940903290729
An innovation in primary mental health services: The MidValley Well-being Service
Pack, Margaret Jane. (2008). An innovation in primary mental health services: The MidValley Well-being Service. Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work.
The concept of hope in gestalt therapy: Its usefulness for ameliorating vicarious traumatisation
Pack, Margaret. (2007). The concept of hope in gestalt therapy: Its usefulness for ameliorating vicarious traumatisation. Gestalt Journal of Australia and New Zealand. 3(2), pp. 59 - 71.