Trauma and abuse counselling
with Catherine Knibbs
A guide to neuroscience and trauma

In recent years the disciplines of neuroscience and psychotherapy have combined to produce a better understanding of how trauma impacts on survivors of abuse.

In this fascinating interview, trauma and abuse counselling specialist Catherine Knibbs discusses how brain function can trap clients in a cycle of feeling self-blame and confusion.

Having an understanding of how the brains inbuilt mental survival system operates , can provide a useful framework to help clients rebuild their lives, and to remove the stigma and guilt can become overwhelming for those who have suffered abuse and neglect.

 
In this episode you will learn about

Why psychological education is important when working with traumatised clients
The concept of cognitive dissonance
The structures of the brain
How the brain conceptualises trauma
Helping clients overcome shame and fear
Further reading and resources

Catherine Knibbs explores the importance of an emerging discipline  in the world of  counselling , namely 'psychological education' . A process in trauma and abuse counselling where the therapist explains how the brain reacts to traumatic situations , which can help 'normalise' feelings of confusion and anxiety in clients

This Counsellor CPD Podcast episode on trauma and abuse counselling , has interesting links to Catherine Knibbs  own web resources as well as research carried out by Bessel van der Kolk  , Dan Siegal and Stephen Porges researchers in neurology and the physicality of how the body remembers trauma and neglect .

Catherine has produced a handout especially for counsellor CPD,  outlining the theories an resources discussed in this interview, it can be downloaded HERE.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Katherine Knibbs -Resources 

http://www.catherineknibbs.co.uk/

Dr Bessel van der Kolk's -  Website

http://www.traumacenter.org/about/about_bessel.php

Stephen Porges -Website 

http://www.stephenporges.com/