Classic Program: Starter Facilitator Handbook for Healing Groups

LESSON 7: CARE FOR THE CAREGIVER Introduce the idea of “secondary trauma”—when we see or hear about someone else’s traumatic experience and begin to have some trauma symptoms ourselves (like reliving, avoiding, being on alert). It is not the same as being overloaded, but a person could be both overloaded and experiencing secondary trauma. Learning objectives By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to: • Understand the need to care for themselves, especially when helping trau- matized people

• Identify difficulties they face in caring for others • Assess how well they are caring for themselves • Illustrate the need for self-care from the Bible • Set goals for self-care

Lesson 7 Section Sub points

LG: Read the story. Discussion Question: “Why do you think the pastor is having all these problems?” (5 min)

1. Story (10 min)

LG: Feedback: Bring out the fact that as well as his other problems, he is suffering from secondary trauma. (5 min)

LG: Discussion Question 1: “Do you know people who have become so overloaded helping others that they became very discouraged or sick? What do they say? How do they behave?” Add more ideas people have. Top up with any ideas listed in the book not already mentioned. (5 min)

2. How can we know when a caregiver is overloaded? (15 min)

In 2s: Discussion Question 2: “Have you ever felt overloaded? Describe how you felt.” (5 min)

LG: Get a little feedback, but respect those who do not want to share. Ask if they know the signs that show they are overloaded. (5 min)

SG: Discussion Question: “What difficulties have you experienced as you have cared for people?” (10 min)

3. Why is it difficult to be a caregiver? (20 min)

The Lessons

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