How can you effectively use feedback to support clients who have experienced trauma?

1 What is feedback?

Feedback is any information that helps you or your client understand how well you are performing a task, meeting a standard, or achieving a goal. Feedback can come from different sources, such as yourself, your client, your supervisor, your colleagues, or other stakeholders. Feedback can be formal or informal, positive or negative, specific or general, and verbal or non-verbal. Feedback can help you and your client identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges, and plan for improvement and growth.

2 Why is feedback important?

Feedback is important for both you and your client, as it can help you improve your skills, knowledge, and confidence, and enhance your relationship and collaboration. Feedback can also help you monitor and evaluate your progress and outcomes, and adjust your strategies and actions accordingly. Feedback can also help you recognize and celebrate your achievements and successes, and motivate you to keep going. Feedback can also help you identify and address any issues or concerns that might affect your performance or satisfaction.

3 How does trauma affect feedback?

Trauma is any event or experience that overwhelms a person's ability to cope and causes lasting psychological, emotional, or physical harm. It can change how a person thinks, feels, behaves, and interacts with other people. This can also affect how a person receives and gives feedback, as they might have developed coping mechanisms or beliefs that interfere with the process. For instance, someone who has experienced trauma may have low self-esteem or self-worth, making them feel unworthy of positive feedback or overly sensitive to negative feedback. They may also have difficulty trusting others or themselves, and doubt the validity of the feedback they receive. Additionally, they may have difficulty regulating their emotions, leading to defensive or aggressive reactions when feedback triggers their trauma memories or feelings. Furthermore, they may struggle to focus or remember important feedback information or instructions. Lastly, they might feel overwhelmed by feedback that highlights their gaps or challenges, making it difficult for them to set and achieve goals.

4 How can you give feedback effectively?

Giving feedback effectively to a client who has experienced trauma means providing information that is clear, relevant, timely, constructive, and supportive. It's important to be mindful of their trauma history and how it might affect their feedback process, as well as respectful of their preferences, needs, and boundaries. Here are some tips for giving feedback successfully: Ask for permission before giving feedback and explain the purpose and benefits; use a strengths-based approach and emphasize the positive aspects of their performance or behavior; be specific and factual, avoiding vague or judgmental statements; use the sandwich method and sandwich negative feedback between positive feedback; use the SMART method to link feedback to specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals; use I-statements to express your feedback from your own perspective and experience; use active listening to check for understanding and agreement; use empathy to acknowledge their feelings and reactions; use encouragement to praise their efforts and improvements.

6 How can you use feedback to support your client?

As a peer support worker, you can use feedback to support your client by modeling feedback skills and showing them how to give and receive feedback effectively. Additionally, you can coach them through the process and guide them in overcoming any barriers or challenges. Involving them in the feedback design, delivery, and evaluation is also essential. Furthermore, providing feedback opportunities in a safe and supportive environment is key. Finally, integrating feedback into the recovery plan is important for linking it to their recovery vision, values, and goals.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?