538: How To Help The Helper: Caring For The Self with Vanessa Bear

"Trauma therapy shouldn't be traumatizing." This week's guest Vanessa Bear, MSc,'s quote sounds like it may apply to the importance of trauma-sensitive work for those who are seeking healing. Yet - it shouldn't be traumatizing for the helper, either. I have said over the years that exposure to traumatic material is an occupational hazard for those of us in the helping professions of every stripe. But it doesn't have to traumatize us and there are specific actions we can, and must, take to protect our own wellbeing. This conversation is about self care, yes, but it is also about care for the mind, body, spirit and soul of ourselves and our living world, which are inextricably interconnected - whether we realize it or not. Listen in for a deep, mindful conversation weaving together love, soul, nature and care for self while caring for others, creating a web of interbeing for the collective and each of us as individuals.

About this week's guest:

Vanessa Bear is a UKCP registered Integrative Psychotherapist who works with children and adults. Vanessa also works as a mountain leader, yoga teacher and willow basket maker who is co-author with Babette Rothschild of the "Help for the Helper Workbook," as well as the "8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery Workbook".Vanessa also created the Wild and Wellbeing Card Deck, all of these are published by WW Norton.Vanessa lives in the beautiful Lake District National Park in the UK.

Find Somatic Trauma Therapy Training here.

Find Vanessa Bear's website here.

UK Listeners, save 30% on Help for the Helper Workbook and all other of Vanessa's publications at the checkout with code WN100

US listeners 20% discount on Help for the Helper Workbook

More Resources:

My course on therapy skills for work with survivors of sexual violence is available on The Academy of Therapy Wisdom site. Watch a free video and access the course. Find the video and access the course here!

We are all carrying a lot, whether we are helping professionals or not. Retreats have been hugely beneficial for me, and I am now offering them - for therapists and non-therapists - in several beautiful international and US-based locations. We're currently updating the TTN website to list retreats in 2026 and 2027 in Spain, North Carolina, Mexico, Portugal, Greece, France and more. In the meantime, let me know if you are interested in learning more about what's coming up using this Google Form. Follow Therapy Chat on Instagram, Facebook and e-mail to be in the know!

Therapy Chat's 11th birthday and Trauma Therapist Network's 5th birthday are this August! Watch for special offers throughout the month of August! Sign up for my e-mail list to ensure you don't miss a thing!

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