Other common concerns expressed include managing their own memories and feelings about perpetrators, and the inherent power differential between client and clinician. Participants describe the difficult process of deciding who it would be safe to tell and under what circumstances. Work, which is often a source of self esteem can in itself trigger affective responses that non-survivors do not have to worry about. Maintaining a balanced affective connection with clients, setting limits with regard to the proportion of trauma work one does, monitoring the desire to rescue clients, and developing clear separations between work and personal life have been each identified by participants as safeguards to healthy boundaries. In addition, participants have found it helpful to tell about their sadness over the limitations of what can be realistically offered to a client who is who struggling to adapt to a traumatic event.
Workshops can provide the sanctioning and structure to discuss and develop self-care plans.
The components of self-care include relaxation, good nutrition, rest, vacations, exercise, adequate training, supervision, and peer support. Because the participants have been human service professionals, they have a greater understanding of the treatment process and what it means to be a group member. At times, their eagerness to be cooperative or evaluative, may in fact be a defense. As a group leader, one may become self conscious about one's own knowledge and skills in dealing with such a sophisticated group members. Facilitators need to combine their clinical skills with an understanding of what it may mean for members to participate in a group that is potentially shame producing on many levels.