Can volunteer counsellors help prevent psychological trauma? A preliminary communication on volunteers skills using the 'orienting approach' to trauma

Authors

Mitchell K. Byrne, University of WollongongFollow
Frank P. Deane, University of WollongongFollow
Andrew Phipps

RIS ID

16040

Publication Details

Phipps, A., Byrne, M. K. & Deane, F. P. (2007). Can volunteer counsellors help prevent psychological trauma? A preliminary communication on volunteers skills using the ''orienting approach'' to trauma. Stress and Health, 23 (1), 15-21.

Abstract

The capacity of 73 volunteer telephone counsellors to administer a brief and early intervention for secondary trauma was assessed. The counsellors participated in a 1-day training programme in the ‘Orienting Approach’ to Trauma Counselling (Phipps & Byrne, 2003). Volunteer counsellors showed significant improvements in both knowledge and skills from pre- to post-training. The potential benefits of this intervention to the community and professional health services are discussed.