Department of Defense Safe Helpline Brainstorming to Support Healing Self-Paced Educational Module
Logistic Notes: For the version of this module that is posted to the Safe Helpline web page, we will include the standard instructions to reroute learners to the learning management system (also called an LMS) to obtain the one hour of D-SAACP credit.
For the version of this module that is hosted in the LMS, we will put the instructions for obtaining D-SAACP credits before the module. Specifically, we will provide information prior to beginning the module that it is available for credit and how to obtain the credit way before they begin.
Welcome
Welcome. Thank you for joining us for the Brainstorming to Support Healing educational module. This module was developed by Safe Helpline and RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) to support Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates (SAPR VAs) who are working with survivors of sexual assault in the Department of Defense community.
This online module will last approximately sixty minutes. Content will be presented through a combination of text, audio, and scenario questions to create an interactive, comprehensive presentation to be completed in a sequential manner.
Navigation
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To navigate through the module, you may click the Next button in the bottom right hand corner of your screen to advance when a slide ends. If at any point you need to revisit a lesson, click the Menu button in the top left hand corner of the screen and select the lesson from the drop-down menu. To enable closed captions, click the closed captions button in the bottom right hand corner. To replay the current slide, click the Replay button in the bottom right hand corner. To pause the lesson at any time, you can click the Pause button in the bottom left hand corner and click the Play button to resume. You may click the Resources button in the top right hand corner of your screen to download the audio text, along with any other resources that are a part of this module. To adjust your volume, click the Speaker icon in the bottom left hand corner of the screen.
You may also step away at any time during this module and resume at another time.
When you are ready to begin, please click the Next button.
What is Safe Helpline?
Safe Helpline is a confidential worldwide service that provides 24/7, anonymous, live, one-on-one crisis intervention, support, information, and resources to members of the Department of Defense community who have been affected by sexual assault. Safe Helpline serves as an additional avenue for survivors to access support and resources, especially for those who may not feel ready to access services in person.
What is Safe Helpline?
Safe Helpline launched in February 2011 in support of DoD’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs (referred to as SAPR). It is operated by RAINN through a contract with the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, known as SAPRO. Since 2011, Safe Helpline has been a reliable and trusted resource for members of the DoD community and has supported SARCs and SAPR VAs in their work with survivors.
Learning Objectives
As a result of this self-paced educational module, SARCs and SAPR VAs will be able to:
● Use brainstorming as a tool to support healing from sexual assault
● Identify skills to utilize in brainstorming sessions, including building rapport, creating lists,
identifying pros and cons, and role playing
● Implement brainstorming skills in conversation with survivors
● Work through common challenges to brainstorming
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The module is eligible for one hour of D-SAACP credit.
Brainstorming
This module includes four lessons on brainstorming with survivors. Lesson one is an overview of brainstorming. Lesson two covers brainstorming skills. Lesson three explores brainstorming with survivors in practice. Finally, lesson four addresses how to work through challenges in brainstorming.
Each lesson will build upon the information learned in the previous lesson. Please click next to continue.
Brainstorming
Overview
Before we explore ways to brainstorm, let’s begin by thinking about what is meant by the term brainstorming. Brainstorming is something that you already do in your everyday life. What will you have for dinner? What’s the best route to take to work or school? What gift will you get your friend for their birthday? Brainstorming is a method used to creatively identify multiple options and use information available to make an informed decision. In addition to brainstorming options to everyday decisions, brainstorming can also be used to plan for crisis, consider response options, and make decisions about next steps.
Brainstorming Overview
Brainstorming is a useful tool to help survivors identify their own strengths and options for next steps. As you brainstorm with survivors in your role, you will realize that they often already have the tools to address a problem. Your job is to provide information and resources, and support them in making their own decisions. For example, brainstorming may enable a survivor to consider resources already available in their community that may provide them with additional support, such as mental health resources or peer support resources. This technique places survivor experiences and ideas at the center of deciding what happens next. By prioritizing their rights, needs and wishes, brainstorming can help a survivor re-establish confidence and a sense of control in their life through highlighting existing strengths and skills.
Brainstorming Overview
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For many survivors, brainstorming can include reflecting on previous experiences when planning ahead in order to lessen negative reactions to challenging and triggering experiences. For instance, by exploring with survivors what examples of coping mechanisms they’ve used in the past that have been helpful, they may feel more prepared to deal with the stressful situations that may occur in the future.
Brainstorming Overview
There are many topics that can be a part of a brainstorming when working with survivors. These could include identifying existing supportive individuals and services, navigating challenging or harmful situations, and next steps to take in a healing journey. These steps will be different for each survivor.
For example, a survivor may want to identify individuals that they can include as part of a support network.
Brainstorming Overview
Brainstorming may include exploring resources with a survivor that are available for their emotional, mental, and physical health at the beginning of a crisis, during a crisis, and after a crisis.
Brainstorming Overview
Each survivor’s situation will be different. It is important to always explicitly ask for permission to begin brainstorming with a survivor, to put them in control of the process. Or they may be at a point in their healing where they are not interested in brainstorming at all.
Brainstorming Overview
If they indicate they would like to brainstorm, survivors may need help problem solving an immediate crisis, such as working through a flashback, or they may be looking for more long-term brainstorming that could include changing their route to work to avoid running into a perpetrator
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Brainstorming Overview
The process of brainstorming will be different for every survivor you work with. Brainstorming does not have a one-size-fits-all approach. For this reason, it is important to allow the survivor to direct the conversation and brainstorming session. We will explore this more in the next lesson.
You have just completed lesson 1. Please click the next button to go on to lesson 2.
Brainstorming Skills
This is Lesson 2: Skills. As you prepare to brainstorm, there are key skills to focus on that will help guide the process. Successful brainstorming efforts should center around the survivor and their experience and knowledge. To center the survivor, acknowledge the survivor as the expert in their own life and safety. If the survivor chooses to brainstorm, remember to apply the principles of acceptance and non-judgement, respect, empathy, and hope.
Brainstorming Skills
To guide rapport building, there are four core skills to use. The first skill is normalizing. This can be done by stating that what the survivor is feeling is normal. The second skill is validating the survivor. Third, counter any self-blame by reminding them that what happened is not their fault. Lastly, it is important to impart hope as they move through their healing journey.
Example # 1:
Survivor: I should not have been drinking when this all happened…
Staff: (Thinking to themselves) Hmmm, I recognize this as self-blame and want to counteract it, I think I’ll say, “It makes sense to wish things had gone differently and that this never happened. That’s a normal reaction. I just want to remind you that you are not responsible for the actions of someone who hurt you, whether you were drinking or not.”
Brainstorming Skills
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In this example, the staffer starts by validating the survivor by saying, “It makes sense to wish things had gone differently and that this never happened.”
The staffer then normalizes their reaction by saying,”That’s a normal reaction.” After this the staffer counters self-blame by saying,”you are not responsible for the actions of someone who hurt you, whether you were drinking or not”
Example # 2:
Survivor: I’ve been combat trained. I should have been able to fight off my perpetrator. Why was I so weak?
Staff: This seems like self-blame too. I will need to counter that. I could start by affirming their ability to navigate the situation. I could say: “This wasn’t a combat situation. What happened was not your fault. From what you’ve shared with me, it seems like you set firm boundaries and they ignored them.”
Brainstorming Skills
Affirming and validating the ways that the survivor took steps to keep themselves safe is an effective strategy for counteracting self-blame. It is important for both you and the survivor to remember that they already have the skills and strength to heal.
Brainstorming Skills
Here is one more example of validating and normalizing their reaction.
Survivor: I just don’t understand what happened. What do I do now? I just feel panicky all the time.
Staff: I think it will be helpful to remind them of their inner strength. I could say something like: “You already took a brave step by reaching out to me for support, that takes a lot of courage. It’s okay to be anxious and confused about what happened, or what you’ll do next.”
Brainstorming Skills
You may have recognized that the staffer validated the survivor several times. First, they staffer stated, “You already took a brave step by reaching out to me for support, that takes a lot of courage.” This statement not only highlighted the strengths in the survivor for the action that they took, it also validated them directly.
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By stating, “It’s okay to be anxious and confused about what happened, or what you’ll do next” is normalizing their reaction.This can also be validating for the survivor.
Brainstorming Skills
Test your Knowledge Question 1
Test your knowledge. You will now have the opportunity to apply the new information and skills you have just learned. Consider this scenario:
A survivor shares that they are feeling tremendous guilt that they weren’t able to fight their way out of an assault that happened on base.
Which response validates the survivor first and then counters their self-blame?
A. Incorrect response Don’t blame yourself for not being able to fight your way out of the assault. Pop-up response: That’s not quite right. While this answer is attempting to counter self-blame, it dismisses the feelings the survivor is sharing. Start by validating, then move to remind them the assault was not their fault. Please try again.
B. Incorrect response It sounds like you have a lot of regrets. What do you wish you could have done differently? Pop-up response: That’s not quite right. While this answer validates what the survivor has shared, it does not counter their self-blame. Please try again.
C. Correct response It makes sense to wish you could have stopped the assault. I want to remind you that the assault is in no way your fault or a reflection on your abilities or strengths. You are reaching out for help today, which takes great courage. Pop-up response: That’s right. This answer validates the survivors feelings first, and then counter’s their self-blame and identifies their strengths. Please click continue.
Brainstorming Skills
Brainstorming is a helpful tool for survivors when they are feeling overwhelmed by multiple stressors, decisions, or varying levels of crisis. These stressors could include:
● Threat to safety while completing every day tasks ● Concerns for physical well-being including maintaining a routine sleeping and eating schedule ● Mental health concerns such as anxiety, fear, and depression ● Maintaining strong relationships with supportive friends and family ● Navigating decisions about disclosure, reporting, or other potential next steps in healing
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In these cases, prioritizing key concerns can help in brainstorming and problem solving.
Brainstorming Skills
To guide the survivor in identifying what is the highest priority for them, consider asking the following question:
It seems like you have a lot going on right now. Which of these things do you feel is most important to discuss?
Brainstorming Skills
You could also ask them in this way:
Those are all important concerns. It may be helpful to discuss a few things at a time so that it doesn’t become overwhelming. What would be most helpful for us to talk through?
Brainstorming Skills
When brainstorming in a crisis, the goal is not to solve all the problems a survivor is facing. Remember, you will be able to support the survivor in identifying options most effectively by connecting and creating a space to explore their thoughts and emotions.
Brainstorming Skills
Test your Knowledge Question 2
Test your knowledge. You will now have the opportunity to apply the new information and skills you have just learned. Consider this scenario:
A survivor tells you that they are totally overwhelmed and, over the past week, have missed multiple medical appointments, lost sleep over the anticipation of being hurt again, and feel bad about yelling at their kids to the point where they started crying. How would you respond?
A. Incorrect response It sounds like you have a lot going on right now and it makes sense that you would feel overwhelmed. Your health is always a priority. You should absolutely go to your medical appointments right now.. Pop-up response: That’s not quite right. It’s correct to want to know more about how missing medical appointments may affect them, determining whether this could be
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harmful or life threatening. However, at this point in the conversation it is important to ask further questions instead of directing them.
B. Correct response It sounds like you have a lot going on and it makes sense that you would feel overwhelmed. What would be most helpful to chat about? Pop-up response: That’s right. You acknowledged the multiple issues the survivor shared and also asked for some additional information that will help you to understand their personal priorities as well as whether their health may be at risk.
C. Incorrect response It sounds like you have a lot going on right now and it makes sense that you would feel overwhelmed. Let’s talk about how we can make this a little easier for your kids. Pop-up response: That’s not quite right. You do not want to decide for the survivor what should be discussed. D. Incorrect response I can see how that would be really overwhelming. Whenever I feel that way, I like to take a nap to clear my head. Have you ever tried that? Pop-up response: That’s not quite right. Although you acknowledged that the survivor is bringing up many issues to discuss, it is important that you do not problem solve for the survivor. It is your role to help them determine what will be most helpful moving forward.
Brainstorming Skills
You have just completed Lesson 2. Please click the Next button to continue on to Lesson 3.
Brainstorming In Practice
This is Lesson 3: In Practice. In this lesson, you will have a chance to build upon your own skills and from what you have learned in this module through two scenarios. First, let’s begin with a question about brainstorming topics.
Brainstorming In Practice Test your Knowledge Question 3
Scenario one: The survivor comes to the hotline and states, “I’m considering telling someone, and maybe filing a report, but I’m not sure if I’ll receive the support I need.” What would be helpful to brainstorm? Select all that apply.
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A. Correct response Supportive individuals to reach out to
B. Correct response Ways to manage stress during the reporting period
C. Incorrect response Criminal ramifications for perpetrator
Pop-up for correct response: Supportive individuals and ways to manage stress are both helpful topics to brainstorm. Supportive individuals might include a partner, family, friends, coworkers, therapist, or a religious leader. Ways to manage stress could include a physical activity such as running or yoga, meal prepping for the week, journaling, or spending time in nature.
Pop-up for incorrect response: That’s not quite right. Try again.
Brainstorming In Practice
In this lesson, we will explore three strategies for brainstorming. The first brainstorming strategy is to create a list. For example, a survivor may want to brainstorm people in their support system to disclose to or list resources that can help them navigate the reporting system.
Here are two ways to start this part of the conversation:
Would it be helpful to brainstorm some people in your support system you can disclose to?
Is brainstorming some resources that can help you navigate the reporting system something that might interest you?
Brainstorming In Practice
It is important to ask the survivor before brainstorming, if this is something that they would like to do. They may simply not be ready to process certain events. In this case, collect key information and connect with the survivor to determine what they are comfortable brainstorming. When creating lists, use language that is non-judgmental and non-directive.
Brainstorming In Practice
When creating lists, it may be helpful to also do a pro/con assessment for possible decisions. This allows for information to be sorted based on the survivors' perception of positive and negative aspects. This can also help the survivor analyze what the outcomes of a decision might be and help them select which decision might be best for them. Remember, what may be
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a positive factor for one survivor, may be a negative factor for another. Let the survivor draft the list and withhold your own judgements.
Brainstorming In Practice
Here are two examples of common topics for a pro/con list.
● What are some things that make you want to file a report and what are some of the things that make you not sure if this is the right decision for you?
● What do you think are the benefits and drawbacks of telling someone?
In both of these examples, you and the survivor have clearly identified the question.
Brainstorming In Practice
The number of pros and cons that are identified during brainstorming do not need to determine the decision. Rather, the survivor may want to consider how the pros or cons will affect their life so they can make their decision. It may be helpful to remind the survivor that this list is simply a tool to accompany them when they are ready to make the decision.
Brainstorming In Practice
If the decision the survivor wants to make involves talking to someone else and they have concerns about how to have that conversation, role-playing may be an effective brainstorming strategy to use.
Role-playing can be used in a way to reduce the anxiety some survivors feel about navigating interactions with others around their assault.
Brainstorming In Practice
Here is a way to start the conversation: You shared that you are interested in accessing care through the VA, but you are concerned about how to get connected to an MST coordinator. Would it be helpful if we talked through how to request to speak to an MST Coordinator?
Brainstorming
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In Practice
Here is another way: You shared that you would like to tell someone what happened to you, but you are worried about how they may react. How do you feel about role-playing telling someone in your support system about what happened?
Brainstorming In Practice
In role-playing, a key element is to address varying outcomes. For example, if a survivor is considering writing a letter versus telling someone in person, they may want to role play the various types of reactions that they could predict.
By practicing multiple outcomes and strategies, survivors can anticipate potential negative outcomes. It also provides you the opportunity to highlight their strengths and abilities that they could use when addressing those potential results. Because disclosures can be stressful, even in the hypothetical, it’s important to get the survivor's consent before role-playing potentially re-traumatizing scenarios.
Brainstorming In Practice
In the following scenario, each of the strategies are incorporated in a conversation with a survivor who is considering disclosing their sexual assault to a partner before making a report.
As you follow through the scenario - ask yourself, what are some questions you may have asked to start brainstorming?
Brainstorming In Practice
Scenario 1: Survivor: I think I should. I’ve been thinking about telling them - it hurts me that they don’t know this about me...I know they’d support me but I just don’t know how …
Staff: That can be tough and I’m happy to hear that you have someone you feel you can trust with this. Do you think it would be helpful if we talked through some ways to tell your partner?
Survivor: Maybe… I don’t know...I can’t look them in the eyes and say it. It hurts too much.
Staff: That makes sense - this is difficult and there’s no right or wrong way to tell someone. Do you want to talk about ways you can share this that might be less difficult?
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Survivor: That would be great. What could we do? Like an email? Or…
Staff: Email could work if you feel comfortable with that. Of course, wherever you want to start. We could draft the email together, or write a letter, we could even practice what a phone call might sound like. It’s up to you.
Survivor: I don’t know which one is the best, we do talk on the phone a lot.
Staff: Okay, if that’s something that works for you. We can list the pros and cons of talking to them about what happened on the phone or writing it down.
Brainstorming In Practice
In this scenario, the staff member suggested role-playing by asking: How do you feel about talking through some ways to tell your partner?
After the survivor stated that they were uncomfortable with that approach, the staffer suggested creating lists by asking: Do you think it would be helpful if we talked through some ways to tell your partner?
When the survivor agreed to move forward with brainstorming ways to disclose, the staff member suggested pros and cons of a phone conversation versus writing a letter by saying: We can list the pros and cons of talking to them about what happened on the phone or writing it down.
Brainstorming In Practice Test your Knowledge Question 4
Test your knowledge. You will now have the opportunity to apply the new information and skills you have just learned.
Take a moment to write your response to this question in the text box. Your answer will not be collected.
How would you offer one of the brainstorming strategies to a survivor who is considering filing a report? Provide an example.
Auto-response: Thank you for taking some time to consider your strategies in this scenario. One way to offer brainstorming as an option to a survivor could include asking: “It sounds like you are weighing a lot of factors about reporting. Would it be helpful to make a list of all of your concerns and discuss them together?”
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Brainstorming In Practice Test Your Knowledge Question 5
In this next scenario, the survivor visits you in your office and states, “Every day on my way to work, I see my perpetrator. So, what am I supposed to do?”
What would be helpful to brainstorm? Select all that apply.
What would be helpful to brainstorm? A. Correct response Alternate routes to take B. Correct response Strategies to travel to work at different times C. Correct response Support persons that they could ask to join them on their commute to work D. Correct response How get information on reporting and safety options from a SARC or SAPR VA
Pop-up for correct response: That's right! All of these things could be topics to brainstorm. They put the focus on the survivor and rely on their knowledge.
Pop-up for incorrect response: That’s not quite right. Please try again.
Brainstorming In Practice
For this scenario, creating lists can be a helpful strategy.
Here are three ways to start the conversation:
● Are you interested in planning for when you run into your perpetrator? ● Would it be helpful to brainstorm some alternate routes you can take? ● How do you feel about coming up with a different time of arrival? Do you have a friend who could join you on your commute?
Brainstorming In Practice
For this scenario, assessing pros and cons can be a helpful strategy.
Here are two examples of questions to ask to start a pro/con assessment.
● What are the benefits and concerns of each of the alternate routes that we brainstormed?
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● One of the things that you identified as a self-care strategy was to skip volleyball practice and stay home, and it sounded like you’re unsure of your choice. Would it help to talk through the benefits and concerns of that plan?
Brainstorming In Practice
Role-playing may be helpful for some survivors. Some examples to introduce role playing as an option can include:
● What are your thoughts on practicing a scenario where you may encounter them on your route? ● Would it be helpful if we role played running into them and how you might respond emotionally and physically? ● Would it be beneficial to role play a scenario where you talk to your supervisor about changing the time you arrive at work?
It is important to acknowledge that for some survivors role playing may be triggering. This is something you can discuss with a survivor and make a plan to allow them to control when the role play ends.
Brainstorming In Practice
In the following scenario, each of the strategies are incorporated in a conversation around a survivor seeing their perpetrator on their way to work.
As you follow the scenario, consider how you would brainstorm with this survivor.
Brainstorming In Practice
Survivor: On my way to work, I see my perpetrator. I feel stuck and anxious seeing them. I don’t know where to begin.
Staff: I can see how that could be challenging, particularly if you’re seeing them on a regular basis as part of your everyday routine.
Survivor: It is really challenging; I can’t just stop going to work. So, what am I supposed to do long-term?
Staff: You are completely right; I can imagine how difficult that can be to have work and also be anxious about going about your routine. Would you be interested in brainstorming through some ideas of how to get to work?
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Survivor: Okay, that might help.
Staff: Okay. What do you think about creating a list of ways to get to work that could avoid the route? Or maybe people that can walk with you who you feel comfortable around?
Survivor: That sounds good to me. I think I could walk with someone, but I don’t feel comfortable telling anyone what happened to me…
Staff: Yes - absolutely, it’s your decision if and when to tell someone and how much to tell them. If you feel comfortable with this, we could try practicing asking a friend or colleague to walk with you.
Survivor: Fine, but I also want to practice being ready for if someone says no or asks me why.
Staff: Of course. I think that’s a great idea.
Brainstorming In Practice
In this scenario, the staff member suggested creating lists by asking: “What do you think about creating a list of ways to get to work that could avoid the route?”
When the survivor expressed concern about sharing only certain information, the staff member suggested role-playing by asking: “If you feel comfortable with this, we could try practicing asking a friend or colleague to walk with you.”
Brainstorming In Practice Test your Knowledge Question 6
Test your knowledge. You will now have the opportunity to apply the new information and skills you have just learned.
Take a moment to write your response to this question in the text box. Your answers will not be collected.
How would you offer one of the brainstorming strategies to a survivor who is encountering a perpetrator? Provide an example.
Auto-response: Thank you for taking some time to consider your strategies in this scenario. One example of offering brainstorming strategies to a survivor could include: Would you like to brainstorm people who could accompany you on your route to work?
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Brainstorming In Practice
You have just completed Lesson 3. Please click the Next button to continue on to Lesson 4.
Brainstorming Challenges
This is Lesson 4: Challenges. You will experience many normal and natural reactions to brainstorming when working with survivors, some of which you may find challenging. Resistance is one common challenge to effective brainstorming. A survivor may resist the idea of brainstorming overall or resist specific ideas that have come up as you are problem solving. These responses may feel oppositional or reactionary, but are normal reactions for survivors.
Brainstorming Challenges
A survivor may be resistant to brainstorming for several reasons. It may be because they are coping with overwhelming negative emotions and feeling hopeless. They may not believe that anything could positively impact how they are feeling right now. It may be because they feel like nothing has worked or has been helpful until this point. They may feel hesitant or uncomfortable facing a difficult situation which will bring up challenging feelings
Brainstorming Challenges
Survivors who express these statements may feel stuck and not know how to work past this point in their trauma. Resistant feelings can be expressed through statements that are difficult to receive.
Brainstorming Challenges
Examples of statements of resistance might include:
● I’ve tried that before and it didn’t work ● I don’t think that this will work ● Nothing will work for me ● Yes, but…
Brainstorming Challenges
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Test Your Knowledge Question 7
You’ve likely encountered a survivor who has been resistant to options that you have provided in some way.
How does it feel to work with a survivor responding with resistance?
Take a moment to write your response to this question in the text box. Your answer will not be collected.
Please click Submit to continue.
Auto-Response Pop-up: Thank you. Remember that everyone is at a different point in their journey and brainstorming may be different for each individual. It is ok to have an emotional response to these situations. Honor your own feelings of frustration and wanting to help, while also centering the survivor’s experience and healing.
Please click Continue.
Brainstorming Challenges
Building rapport with the survivor and continuing to build rapport throughout the conversation is important even when they are resistant. Each survivor is at a different stage in their healing process.
Brainstorming Challenges
In this scenario, consider what topics can be brainstormed with the survivor.
You are meeting a survivor for the first time and have started building rapport. They tell you that they experience panic attacks when walking past the barracks where the assault happened.
Survivor: I hate that I panic when I walk past that building. I just can’t avoid it. Going another way would add too much time to my commute, and it’s always dark when I’m walking too.
Staff: That sounds like it’s a lot to deal with. It feels like you don’t really have a choice but to walk past the building either... Has there been anything that has helped you to cope with your panic attacks in the past?
Survivor: No.
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Staff: Some people find that things like deep breathing or listening to calming music helps them to get through panic attacks. Are those things you might be willing to try?
Survivor: I tried that already...it didn’t work. Nothing works.
Brainstorming Challenges Test Your Knowledge Question 8
Test your knowledge. You will now have the opportunity to apply the new information and skills you have just learned.
True or False: You can only brainstorm options that haven’t been tried.
A. Incorrect True Pop-up - That’s not quite right. It’s important to work with the survivor to help them determine what topics they would like to brainstorm.
B. Correct False Pop-up - That’s right. Good job! That is the survivor’s decision; it’s important to support the survivor in identifying what topics they want to brainstorm.
Brainstorming Challenges
Recognizing the survivor’s feelings and frustrations can help the conversation move forward. Acknowledging what a survivor has shared with you allows the focus in the conversation to be on how they are feeling in that moment.
By acknowledging their feelings and frustrations, you are saying “Thank you for trusting me with your feelings” and “You have my undivided attention.” This helps in building rapport and lets the survivor share their feelings and frustrations in a non-judgmental space.
Brainstorming Challenges
Here is an example of how to acknowledge a survivor’s feelings and frustrations:
That sounds really tough. It seems like you’ve tried a lot of resources and ways to respond to the situation, but they haven’t been very helpful.
Brainstorming Challenges
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Once you have acknowledged how the survivor is feeling, you can re-introduce brainstorming.
Here is an example of the language you might use to re-introduce brainstorming:
It sounds like you’ve spent a lot of time considering your options already. Would you feel comfortable sharing with me what has worked for you in the past?
Brainstorming Challenges
After acknowledging the survivor’s feelings and frustrations and re-focusing the conversation on them, it can be useful to highlight their strengths.
Here is an example of focusing on a survivor’s strengths:
You shared with me earlier the steps you took in another difficult situation and that clearly demonstrates that you have helpful skills and strengths you can apply to this situation.
Brainstorming Challenges
While it is important to remain non-judgmental during brainstorming with survivors, there may be times where they come up with options that would be harmful or counter productive to their healing.
For example, when brainstorming, a survivor may describe wanting to physically harm a perpetrator or witness. In this situation, it is a delicate balance to push the survivor to consider the outcomes of the option. Your goal is to validate their feelings and pivot to healthy coping strategies without shaming them or shutting them down.
Brainstorming Challenges
Let’s consider another example of an unhealthy coping strategy. During brainstorming, a survivor suggests that they could drink to the point of passing out every night as a coping strategy for nightmares. One response could be:
It sounds like these nightmares are really affecting you, and drinking is one strategy you’ve used to manage them. What might be the impact of that coping strategy for you?
Did you notice how this response validated the severity of the nightmares and then pivoted to encourage the survivor to think about the impact of excessive drinking without shaming? Take a moment to consider how you might respond in that situation.
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Remember, the survivor is the expert in their own life. Your job is to help guide and support them to develop their own decisions for healing.
Brainstorming Challenges
In the following scenario, multiple strategies are employed to overcome challenges that emerge when brainstorming with a survivor.
As you follow through the scenario - ask yourself, how you might have responded?
Brainstorming Challenges
Survivor: There are so many things going on in my life. I just really need some support and resources to help me. I’m feeling so overwhelmed.
Staff: I can see how that might be a lot for you and how it could feel so overwhelming given everything you have been through.
Survivor: Yeah, it’s just so much. And there’s no one who can really help.
Staff: I can only imagine how that feels. Can I ask, have any resources you’ve reached out to in the past been helpful?
Survivor: No. Nothing has worked. I don’t think anything will.
Staff: That can be challenging, and I think it took a lot of patience and strength for you to seek support and resources despite nothing having worked before. So that we can work to find something that may offer that support, would you mind sharing with me some of the resources you’ve already tried?
Brainstorming Challenges Test Your Knowledge Question 9
We just reviewed one way to respond to this survivor. Now, how might you respond to this survivor in your own words? Take a moment to write your response to this question in the text box. Your answer will not be collected.
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Auto Response: Did your response acknowledge what the survivor was saying, center them in the conversation, and affirm their existing strengths? Thanks for your time in thinking though your response.
Please click Continue.
Brainstorming Challenges
Here is an example of highlighting strengths with a survivor as part of validating and normalizing their reaction.
Survivor: I’m just feeling so frustrated and like I can’t do anything right. Everytime I’m at work, I feel like I just freeze up and have to leave and go take a walk. I just feel so weak having to be reminded of the assault every single day.
Staff: It’s understandable to feel frustrated. It sounds like you were having a really tough day and decided to go for a walk to take care of yourself at that moment. That’s a great example of how you knew to put yourself first. And then you reached out to us, which demonstrates how resourceful you can be. Would you want to talk about what else you can do to take time for yourself?
Brainstorming Challenges
In this example, the staffer begins by normalizing their reaction by stating, “It’s understandable to feel frustrated.” By directly highlighting that they decided to go for a walk to take care of themselves at that moment is an example of highlighting their strengths. The staffer states, “That’s a great example of how you knew to put yourself first” and also addressed how resourceful they were in reaching out. These affirmations of strength can also be validating.
Brainstorming Challenges
There are also situations where brainstorming is never an appropriate first step. Refer to DoD policy and guidance if a survivor is in immediate danger and make appropriate referrals. Immediate danger includes suicidal and/or homicidal ideation or behaviors.
If someone discloses intimate partner violence, then this is the time to connect to more appropriate resources, such as the Family Advocacy Program. The link to learn more about the Family Advocacy Program has been provided under the Resources Tab.
If you have questions about guidance or protocols, reach out to your SARC or supervisor.
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Brainstorming Challenges
You have just completed Lesson 4. Please click the next button to continue on to learn about resources and the module wrap up.
Brainstorming
Review
In this module we defined brainstorming as a tool to support healing. We identified skills and strategies essential to effective brainstorming such as rapport building making lists, identifying pros/cons, and role playing. We then implemented these skills in conversation with survivors. Lastly, we discussed common challenges to brainstorming with survivors and ways to work around these interactions.
Brainstorming in a Crisis
Additional Resources & Wrap up
If you would like to learn more about how to help a survivor, there are additional Safe Helpline educational modules available on safehelpline.org. Titles of additional modules available include:
● How to Support a Survivor ● Building Hope & Resiliency ● Safe Helpline 101 ● Suicide 101, and ● Transitioning Service Members
Please click on each title to be directed to the website to learn more about these self-paced educational modules.
Click next to continue.
Brainstorming in a Crisis Additional Resources & Wrap up
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Congratulations! You have successfully completed the Brainstorming to Support Healing educational module. If you have any questions about this module, please contact [email protected].
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