Can volunteer counsellors help prevent psychological trauma? A preliminary communication on volunteers skill using the 'Orienting Approach' to Trauma Counselling

The capacity of 73 volunteer telephone counsellors to administer a brief and early intervention for secondary trauma was assessed. The counsellors participated in a 1-day training programme in the 'Orienting Approach' to Trauma Counselling (Phipps & Byrne, 2003). Volunteer counsellors showed significant improvements in both knowledge and skills from pre- to post-training. The potential benefits of this intervention to the community and professional health services are discussed.