A few thoughts on Response Based Practiced created by Dr. Allan Wade

Cole Schafer

Dr. Allan Wade

A common concern for people who are considering counselling therapy for trauma is whether they will need to 'tell their story'. Sometimes this is necessary for them to heal, though not always, and often it is unnecessary when starting the counselling process. It can feel scary, overwhelming and pointless to share the story, especially the details which can feel invasive even thinking about, let alone talking about. Dr Allan Wade suggests focusing on how people responded to and resisted violent and traumatic events as a way for them to feel a sense of empowerment about what happened to them, as opposed to relating solely from the perspective of a helpless victim. This can provide a safer start for some people.

Allan Wade has influenced my practice by focusing on creating a 'safe enough' environment, continually asking for permission, and bringing awareness to how people resisted violence.

Safe enough means how I and the clients I work towards becoming clear and agreeing on how they will feel safe enough to engage in therapy with me. The idea of safe enough recognizes there is usually at least some experience of fear, or feeling unsafe in disclosing and discussing traumatic events It is important for me to attend to a person’s safety throughout my time with them. I am interested in us both paying attention to when the conversation needs to slow down, shift, or stop all together.

The permission a person grants to disclose and discuss traumatic events is a continual process. Just because someone has agreed to start therapy with me does not mean they have given me permission to all areas of their lives.

Respecting how people resist violence, Allan Wade believes, as do I, that everyone resists violence in some way. People may not be aware of how they have resisted violence. This lack of awareness may be due a variety of reasons including shame, feeling or being alone, and people not believing and supporting them. I often find by attending to safety and permission, and asking certain types of questions, many people are able to reflect on and recognize how they resisted. That recognition can begin to transform an event from being only harmful to one which includes a feeling of empowerment which greatly aids their recovery.

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