The Impact of Trauma on Workers and How Counselling Can Help
Understanding Trauma
Trauma manifests in two primary forms: complex trauma and single-incident trauma. Complex trauma results from multiple, prolonged traumatic events often involving close personal interactions, such as abuse or violence. Single-incident trauma, on the other hand, stems from a one-time event like a car accident, workplace injury or assault. Both can lead to significant psychological distress, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder, or complex PTSD, affecting individuals even at the threat of trauma or through indirect exposure.
Our Approach
Navigator Group is deeply committed to facilitating trauma recovery, bringing a wealth of expertise and specialisation as a personal injury consultant to workers suffering trauma sustained at work or in a motor vehicle accident. Our approach is founded on evidence-based practices, including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), to address the complex needs of workers experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions.
As a leading provider of trauma counselling services in Australia, we offer a supportive and understanding environment for injured workers. Our team of highly trained psychologists, counsellors and health professionals is dedicated to delivering personalised care, ensuring that each worker’s recovery journey is met with the utmost professionalism and expertise. You can trust Navigator Group to support and guide you through the healing process with a clear, focused, and effective methodology.
Recognising the Signs of Trauma
Recognising the signs of trauma is crucial for early intervention and recovery. However, symptoms manifest in various forms and impact workers differently. These symptoms can include intrusive memories, avoidance behaviours, shifts in thinking, relationship difficulties, emotional disturbances, and physical symptoms, each signalling the need for professional support to navigate the path towards healing.
Intrusion Symptoms: Unwanted, intrusive thoughts, distressing dreams, or flashbacks.
Avoidance Symptoms: Dodging thoughts, feelings, or external reminders of the trauma.
Cognitive Alterations: Negative beliefs about oneself or the world and persistent self-blame.
Alterations in Mood and Behaviour: Difficulty maintaining relationships, feeling detached, or engaging in harmful coping mechanisms.
Physical Reactions: Hyperarousal, sleep disturbances, concentration issues, and physical health problems.
How Trauma Affects Mental Health
Trauma deeply impacts a worker’s mental health, leading to conditions such as PTSD and complex PTSD. It disrupts emotional stability, causing adverse symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and depression. This psychological distress can significantly impair daily functioning, necessitating compassionate, expert intervention for healing and recovery.
Impact on Worker's Life
For workers, trauma extends its effects beyond personal suffering to significantly affect work performance and relationships. It can result in decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions. On a personal level, trauma can strain relationships, diminish quality of life, and hinder participation in social activities, creating a cycle of isolation and distress.
Impact on Employer and Workplace
For employers, the repercussions of a worker’s trauma are manifold, including lowered productivity and the potential for increased workplace accidents. The ripple effect can lead to higher turnover rates, escalated training costs, and a decline in team morale. Furthermore, it underscores the necessity for workplace mental health support systems, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing the profound impacts of trauma to foster a healthier, more resilient workforce.
The Role of Trauma Counselling in PTSD
At Navigator Group, we use one or more trauma-focused psychotherapies (also known as talk therapies) to help workers recover from PTSD. These therapies are part of our holistic approach to trauma recovery, tailored to meet the unique needs of each worker. As we integrate these evidence-based treatments into their recovery, we aim to empower workers, guiding them towards healing and improved mental health.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is used to support people living with PTSD. It’s recognised as one of the leading treatment methodologies for individuals struggling with PTSD, aiming to help them process trauma and reduce symptoms.
Imaginal Exposure Therapy (IET) helps workers to gradually approach trauma-related memories they have been avoiding in order to reduce feelings of fear.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps sufferers process and make sense of their trauma while focusing on a repetitive movement or sound. This reprocessing helps “repair” the mental injury from that trauma memory.
Why Choose Navigator Group for Trauma Recovery
Choosing Navigator Group for trauma recovery means entrusting your journey to a team that not only understands the depth of your experience but also possesses the specialised skills to guide you through your healing. Our comprehensive, research-backed approach to trauma counselling ensures that every worker receives personalised care.
We foster a culture of support and understanding, making Navigator Group an ideal partner in your recovery process. Here, you're not just a client; you're a valued member of a community committed to rebuilding lives affected by trauma.
Sources
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/psychosocial/foundations/Pages/types-ptsd.aspx