This qualitative study was designed to identify protective practices that mitigate risks of Vicarious Traumatization (VT) among trauma therapists. The sample included six peer-nominated experienced therapists, trained at the masters or doctoral level, who self-identified as having managed well in this work. Narrative data was collected through interviews with individual co-participants, who were asked, "How do you manage to sustain your personal and professional wellbeing, given the challenges of your work with seriously traumatized clients?" Data analysis was based upon Lieblich, Tuval-Mashiach, and Zilber's (1998) typology of narrative analysis, with a primary focus on thematic content analysis within and across participants' narratives. The research findings yielded twelve major themes that describe protective practices engaged by exemplary trauma therapists: countering isolation (in professional, personal and spiritual realms); developing mindful self awareness; consciously expanding perspective to embrace complexity; openness to the unknown; sustaining and renewing hope; active optimism and problem solving; holistic self-care; maintaining clear boundaries; invoking imagery, metaphor, and ritual; exquisite empathy; professional satisfaction; and creating meaning. The novel finding that empathic engagement with traumatized clients appeared to be protective challenges previous conceptualizations of VT and points to exciting new directions for research and theory, as well as applications to practice. Participants also described experiences of vicarious post-traumatic growth. The findings confirm and extend previous recommendations for ameliorating VT and underscore the ethical responsibility shared by employers, educators, professional bodies, and individual practitioners to create time and space to address this serious problem. Participants recommend opportunities for regular supervision, support and validation (including group-based interaction), self-care (including personal therapy, as needed), and developing self-awareness within and beyond the workplace. They think taking care of the caregivers is an organizational responsibility as well as a personal one. Although the research design precludes generalizing from the data, the knowledge generated herein may be helpful to others in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, social work, psychiatric nursing, and related health care disciplines, at the levels of education, training, and practice.

No description available.

Thesis (M App Sci) -- University of South Australia, 1991

Thesis (M.A. in speech and hearing sciences)--Washington State University, May 2010. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Apr. 30, 2010). "Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences." Includes bibliographical references (p. 52-54).

Thesis (PhD)-Open University. BLDSC no.DX207180.

Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / "A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, April 30, 1998." Also available in print.

Thesis (M. Communication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Summary in English and Afrikaans. Includes bibliographical references.

This thesis examines the relationship between distance education, adult learning and professional development for special education in the context of teachers' work with pupils with speech and language difficulties. Responses from students and tutors in three cohorts of a distance education course for teachers of pupils with speech and language difficulties are analysed and conclusions drawn concerning future practice in the light of changing professional needs. Qualitative methods, using questionnaires, interviews and systemic thinking activities, generate data for the analysis of course process in relation to student support, content and impact on practice. The study proposes a socio-technical systems model for planning, management and evaluation of professional development by distance education. This approach recognises that specific technical and organisational characteristics will interact with social and psychological aspects of participants' personal and professional lives.

M.Tech. / The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and describe the experiences of the somatology therapist from which guidelines for the self-management of therapists within private somatology practices were described. The guidelines were derived from the two research questions: "How do therapists experience self-management during their daily practices?" and "What can be done to improve the self-management of therapists within private somatology practices?" A descriptive, exploratory and contextual qualitative design was used with the underlying philosophy of an Appreciative Inquiry. The accessible population consisted of therapists (N=15) practicing in six private somatology practices in the Pretoria-North region. Purposeful sampling was used in this study. The data collection was conducted by means of individual semi-structured interviews and field notes. The question was formulated by means of Appreciative Inquiry guidelines. A pilot interview was conducted with one participant that served as the preparation for the study. Tesch's Method of data analysis was used to identify themes and sub-themes. The Model of Lincoln and Guba was used to ensure that trustworthiness and ethical considerations were maintained throughout the process. Informed consent was given by the private somatology clinic and therapists.

M.Tech. / “It is through cooperation, rather than conflict, that your greatest successes will be derived” (www.inspiring-quotes-and-stories.com, 26 March 2007). This proclamation can be aptly applied to the notion that an integrated healthcare team that is open to an interdisciplinary approach to a patient’s healthcare needs, will have the patient’s best interests at heart and most likely a holistic solution as opposed to treating the patient with individual approaches. The aim of this study was to establish the inter-referral patterns between Chiropractors and Physiotherapists in the Western and Northern regions of Johannesburg, as there had been no research conducted in this regard. In this way an assessment of interdisciplinary communication and referral could be established between the two professions and steps could then be initiated to improve this if found necessary. A questionnaire was sent to Chiropractors and Physiotherapists in this region. These questionnaires were tailored to the professional discipline of the subject. It asked a range of questions relating to their background, knowledge of the other profession being surveyed and their opinion on the credibility of the other profession’s ability to treat certain conditions. The results were then tabulated and statistically calculated and verified to establish the end results. The results of this study found that Chiropractors were more open to referrals to Physiotherapists regarding only certain conditions, whilst Physiotherapists were less inclined to refer to Chiropractors in general.