Human Trafficking Theories And Counseling

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Theories & Counseling Human trafficking as it relates to counseling presents mental health professionals with complex trauma dynamics as well as victimization dynamics. Research shows that a significant number of trafficking victims experienced some type of severe trauma during childhood or early adulthood such as but not limited to sexual violence/incest and victims of domestic violence (Tyldum & Brunovskis, 2005; Rauch & Cahill, 2003). Previous trauma in addition to the trauma of trafficking escalates the level of complexity for the victim and the mental health professional. Past research shows that victims prior to the human trafficking rarely seek or receive treatment for the trauma, which presents the mental health professional with the responsibility to treat both the prior and current trauma. …show more content…
Victims of human trafficking may experience symptoms related to acute stress disorder and grief along with anxiety/mood disorder (Rauch & Cahill, 2003). Victims may experience panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms as well as symptoms of dissociative disorders (International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 2004). Research shows that evidence-based approaches are effective in treating human trafficking victims and families because evidence-based practices target outcomes in terms of symptoms, functional status, and quality of life (Drake et al., 2001;Logan, Walker, & Hunt, 2009). Treatment for human trafficking may be long-term and comprehensive in