MANAGING STRESS AFTER TRAUMA

AN INTERVIEW WITH: SARAH DOUGLAS, LMFT :: TRAUMA PROGRAM MANAGER

Interview

WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR MANAGING STRESS AFTER EXPERIENCING TRAUMA?

I think people who have a history of trauma or struggle with mental health, really, if I can give them one thing, it’s the ability to set boundaries to recognize what their personal limitations are and to respect them. Oftentimes when a person has experienced trauma, there has not been respect for their boundary or respect for them as a person, and there’s been boundary violations. When people have experienced trauma, they also really struggle with asserting what they want and need from different situations because when trauma’s happening, especially when interpersonal traumas occur, no one has any concern… the person committing the trauma doesn’t have much concern for your wants or needs. Being able to be honest with yourself about what you need, what your limitations might be during a time where there might be more expectations of you, and to set those boundaries, set those boundaries with yourself and to set them with the people around you who maybe have these expectations.

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR MENTAL HEALTH AMONGST STRESSFUL TIMES?

In terms of managing stress, I think it’s in any stressful situation, whether it be with other people or your work or kids’ schools or sports clubs, it is what are you capable of doing? And because you can, doesn’t mean you have to. What are your limitations? What boundaries do you want to have in place? And what is being asked of you, is that within your boundary?