We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
"A Learning Curve": Counselors' Experiences Working With Sex Trafficking.
- Authors
Interiano-Shiverdecker, Claudia G.; Romero, Devon E.; McVay, Katherine E.; Satel, Emily; Smith, Kendra
- Abstract
In this transcendental phenomenological study, we interviewed 10 counselors who have clinical experience working with sex trafficking survivors. Through in-depth individual interviews, participants discussed their lived experiences providing counseling to this population. Our analysis revealed four primary themes: (a) counselor knowledge: "learning curve," (b) counselor skills: "creating a safe space to dive into work," (c) counselor attitudes: "being able to listen to the client's story," and (d) counselor action: "more than just a counselor." The findings indicated that counselors working with sex trafficking survivors needed to understand and address the different aspects of trauma. Our findings also demonstrate that working with sex trafficking survivors requires additional competencies such as recognizing the signs of sex trafficking, vulnerable populations, and the processes by which traffickers force people into sex trafficking. We discuss these findings in more detail and identify implications for counselor training and practice.
- Subjects
SEX trafficking; HUMAN trafficking; SEX work; WORK experience (Employment); COUNSELORS; TRAINING of counselors; COUNSELOR-client relationship
- Publication
Professional Counselor, 2023, Vol 13, Issue 4, p385
- ISSN
2164-3989
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.15241/cgis.13.4.385