ABSTRACT
The following principles of self-healing were designed to help professionals recognize, contain, and heal their emotional and other reactions to trauma. They were originally conceptualized as event countertransferences (Danieli, 1988), namely, psychotherapists’ reactions to the trauma event or the survivors’ accounts rather than to the victims themselves. They have been recognized as ubiquitous, and are at the forefront of our concern in preparing and training professionals to work with victims and terrorized populations (see, for example, Danieli, 1994). Numerous protectors and providers worldwide have found them valuable (Danieli, 1996, 2002; Smith, Agger, Danieli, & Weisaeth, 1996). The main principles are as follows:
A. To Recognize One’s Reactions:
1. Develop awareness of somatic signals of distress. One’s chart of warning signs of potential countertransference reactions would include symptoms such as sleeplessness, headaches, and perspiration.
