How further after the shock

Personal Training Programme “How further after the shock…?”
For people with psychological problems due to traumatic experiences in their work

Introduction
In some professions one is more likely to be confronted with human distress. This applies, for instance, to rescue workers, doctors, nurses, ambulance workers, soldiers and policemen and –women. It is their job to support people in critical situations and to provide safety and (increase chances of) survival.
This work is rewarding when you can make a difference and provide safety and save lives. On the other hand, more than in other professions you are confronted with the hard side of life. You experience at close quarters that life is vulnerable and can end ‘just like that’. You can also be confronted with strong emotional reactions of pain, grief or even anger from the people whom you are only trying to support and help. It is often said that the more experience you have the better you can deal with this. However, there are also indications that regular exposure to dangerous situations and great suffering can lead to emotional damage, like the drops of water that wear away a stone. You may notice that you are more easily upset and cannot deal with traumatic experiences as well as before. Or, on the other hand, you may become demotivated and indifferent.

The Programme
Balance & Impulse’s programme has been devised for people suffering from traumatic experience. For example, when the experience recurs repeatedly in their thoughts (or dreams). Problems like fatigue, irritability and loss of concentration often occur. Sometimes people try to avoid situations which remind them of the experience. These psychological complaints may lead to personal or work-related problems.
The aim of this programme is to overcome the psychological symptoms and to deal with the experience(s). It consists of a series of steps:
-   diagnosis and plan of action
-   removal of the complaints, (re)attainment of a personal balance
-   dealing with the traumatic experience
-   return to normal life and responsibilities.

The method used is practical, consisting of discussion, exercises and role play. You are also given information about the source of your complaints, their influence, and the way they are to be treated. The type of treatment is chosen by mutual agreement; you may consider written tasks, EMDR, or role play. The progress of the programme is followed with the help of psychological questionnaires.

Both work and home situations are included as much as possible in the programme. Together we consider what is needed, both at home and at work, for you to be able to function healthily and energetically once again.

Aim of the programme
The aim of the programme is to work towards the removal of your complaints and to restore you to normal life and its responsibilities. When you have been on sick leave, reintegration in your work considered one of the goals. The idea is that both the employee and the employer learn from the sick leave.

Method

    Intake and diagnostics

In the first place, an employee can have a free introductory conversation. On this basis an offer is made. As soon as the acceptance of the offer has been received, the employee gets an invitation for the start of the intake. This consists of a 90-minute conversation and the completion of some personality-questionnaires. On the basis of this information, the psychologist prepares, within 11/2 weeks, a report on the diagnosis and an advice for cure and reintegration. With the employee’s permission a copy of this information is sent to the company doctor. Written contact is made with the employer, which includes information relevant to work drawn up in agreement with the employee.

    Sessions

The programme begins with an advisory talk on the basis of the intake/diagnostics. Experience has taught us that, when one traumatic experience is concerned and there has been no sick leave, a maximum of 10 sessions should be offered. When there has been an accumulation of traumatic incidents and (part-time) sick leave, about 15 sessions are needed. In addition, time is reserved for the intake/diagnostics, advice and planning.
The programme is completed when the employee functions at his best in both the work and the home situation.

    Advice/assessment

Twice during the training an assessment meeting is held with all the people involved (manager, occupational physician, personnel officer, the employee concerned and the psychologist from Balance & Impulse). The meeting usually takes place at the business address. The central aim of this meeting is to work together towards the recovery and reintegration and/or more effective functioning of the employee. At this meeting it is pointed out that the situation can be instructive both for the employee and for the work situation and suggestions are given which promote both the recovery and reintegration of the employee and his effective functioning. Balance & Impulse pays attention to the interests of both the employer and the employee.

    Price and payment

-   Balance & Impulse prepares an offer on the basis of the free introductory session. After receiving a signed copy of this, the coaching begins.
-   Balance & Impulse sends an invoice when the offer has been accepted. Term of payment is 2 weeks.