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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to show how the author’s solution focused (SF) work with both adult survivors of child abuse and neglect; and, adult trauma survivors, has developed from Yvonne Dolan’s severe trauma recovery work (Dolan, 1998). Dolan’s major contribution to this way of working is acknowledged; and, her three-stage Victim – Survivor –Thriver continuum detailed, with an emphasis on the Thriver stage. Other contemporary practitioners’ work is described, in brief, also. From the author’s clinical work with survivors of trauma, over some 25 years, it has become clear that clients need to understand more fully what thriverhood is about, in order to move towards it more effectively. Psychoeducation in the form of in-session verbal information and typed sheets to take away, has proved to be helpful in most cases. Some recent neuroscientific research, with specific reference to neuroplasticity is referred to, to demonstrate how clients improve through this specialist SF application. The handouts ‘What Thriving is Like’ (Figure 1) and ‘The Thriver Progress Questionnaire’ (Figure 2) are more advanced materials to help clients have a better understanding of both what is possible and how to be thriving more fully. It is the author’s intention also, to encourage more practitioners, equipped with the additional tools referred to, to take up the challenge of those important and rewarding work.

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