ABSTRACT
This chapter brings the journey of a trauma/addiction therapist to the personal level – to a discussion of the kind of presence it takes to do the work sustainably. The author describes how she is able to be with the often unbearable stories of her clients because of the moments of liberation that can be so uplifting. Whether we like it or not, all trauma therapists also work with addiction, and the author discusses how to help clients overcome shame so they can talk about addiction, and how this can be the beginning of the healing process. Two poignant clinical examples bring these important ideas to life, and the chapter ends with three practices to help clients process and overcome addiction.
