The Use Of Counselling Skills In The Emergency Services

by Angela Hetherington

This book examines the use of counselling skills in the unique working environment of the emergency services. It looks at the stress and trauma of emergency service work, and draws extensively on the first hand experiences of personnel. The text considers how counselling skills can be employed effectively by emergency service professionals to enable them to fulfil their primary roles. In addition the book discusses the trained use of counselling skills within a formal peer support program and by management.

A major theme throughout the book is the psychological impact of traumatic incidents both on the victims and those involved in their rescue and recovery. This text considers the specific use of counselling skills in response to traumatic incidents, from a professional, ethical and legal perspective. It will be of use to Fire, Police, Accident and Emergency, Ambulance and Security Services and to voluntary emergency services such as The British Red Cross

Angela Hetherington is Director of Clinical Practice at PPC UK Ltd, which provides organisational counselling and Critical Incident Stress Management services. Her PhD is in post-traumatic stress. She is a Chartered Psychologist and has worked extensively in the research and management of post-traumatic stress disorder, occupational stress and critical incident debriefing. Her specialist field has involved her working closely with the emergency services in organizational intervention strategies in the management of work-related traumatic stress.

Preface
Counselling skills in the context of the emergency services
Issues in the use of counselling skills
Counselling skills in action
Working with post traumatic stress
Vicarious traumatization
Counselling skills in peer support
Legal and ethical implications in the use of counselling skills
Conclusion
Appendix A
Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Appendix B
Secondary symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Appendix C
Symptoms of stress
Appendix D
Referral resources
References
Index.