ABSTRACT
Most people cope with trauma without recourse to professional help. It is likely that many, consciously or non-consciously, see others as role models for coping with adversity. Crucially, they may see a stubborn refusal by significant others to let their traumatic experience define them and their personal world, as a clarion call to action. The clinician can feel in the hot seat to deliver for the client, but for a variety of reasons, class, gender, ethnic origin, etc. they may not be the most credible source of persuasion. Therapy sessions that are conversation-like may reveal more potent persuaders in the client's personal world. The therapeutic task is to harness this aspect of the client's resources and not to over-focus on the client's mismanagement of day-to-day functioning. Though addressing this latter must include how to better handle dips in mood often occasioned by intrusions – the specifics of which are detailed in this chapter.
