Counselling support for survivors of modern slavery

‘I need a safe place first, before I can open up’

This was the profound statement someone once shared with me, when we were talking about therapeutic support for survivors of modern slavery1. She was a survivor of human trafficking herself, having experienced the most abhorrent exploitation and abuse. 

An area of my work that is important to me is therapeutic provision for survivors of human trafficking. For over two decades I have been involved in supporting women and children who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation and modern slavery. 

I know that counselling is not a one-size-fits-all solution to every problem

A holistic approach to restoration is essential. This brave women’s statement was a lightbulb moment for me in my therapeutic work: a person cannot start to heal if safety is not available to them.  

This is true both of both physical and emotional safety. 

If someone does not fully trust the person they are speaking to, they won’t open up.  

This is why I take time in my counselling work to go at the person’s pace: we only talk about things that they feel safe enough to talk about. I won’t push that person further than they are willing to go. I spend time getting to know what helps that person feel safe and secure, and I see what I can do in the session to help them feel grounded, not out of their depth.  

After all, we wouldn’t sail out into deep water without first putting on our life jackets.

If a person is living in temporary accommodation, without access to reliable living costs, or in an unhealthy relationship with someone, it is very hard for them to feel psychologically safe enough to start processing their trauma. If we don’t feel physically safe, how can we feel psychologically safe? 

This is why I am passionate about collaborating with anti-slavery organisations who provide physical, emotional and practical support to survivors. Collectively, we can provide an umbrella of safety to help ensure that person is able to heal properly.  

About Me - Hi, I’m Cate - a trauma counsellor, supervisor and trainer in South Wales. I work with individuals, charities and organisations who want help and support to better understand trauma and the effects it has on our lives. If you’d like to chat about how we could work together, please email me - cate@waves-therapy.com