University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition

 We live in a violent world, our history is written in blood. For that reason, I chose  Trauma Counseling  Theories and Interventions. I wish I had some knowledge or training in the area of trauma when I was in graduate school. Working with traumatized individuals demands that we, as professionals, enhance our clinical skills in this area. In addition, we educators must do a better job of preparing the next generation of "helpers" to understand trauma and its impact on an individual, a community, and society as a whole. No matter the field in which one chooses to work, that individual will have contact with others who have experienced some type of traumatic event--rape, PTSD in war veterans, a natural disaster, terrorist attacks, genocide, physical/sexual abuse, or even a car accident. Working with individuals who experience a traumatic event, is NOT for all; however, in order to work with such individuals each professional needs a specific skill set. There is a cost for caring. Each of us has an ethical and personal responsibility not to be damaged by the work we choose to do.