2 TPC Digest S ex trafficking of any individual is a significant concern globally. Over the past 5 years, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories have reported all forms of human trafficking. As a form of human trafficking, sex trafficking exposes individuals to torture, kidnapping, and severe psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. Because of the prevalence of sex trafficking, the health consequences that result from it, and the diverse areas in which counselors practice (e.g., community clinics, private practices, behavioral health departments, college/universities, K–12 schools), counselors must be prepared to work with sex trafficking survivors. Therefore, first-hand accounts of counselors providing services to this population can provide an overview of current needs, challenges, and recommendations for clinical practice and research. In this phenomenological study, we interviewed 10 counselors who have clinical experience working with sex trafficking survivors. Through in-depth individual interviews, participants discussed their lived experiences providing counseling to this population. Our analysis revealed four primary themes: (a) counselor knowledge: “learning curve”; (b) counselor skills: “creating a safe space to dive into work”; (c) counselor attitudes: “being able to listen to the client’s story”; and (d) counselor action: “more than just a counselor.” The findings indicate that counselors working with sex trafficking survivors need to not only understand trauma but also gain specific knowledge throughout their work with survivors. Participants noted a “learning curve” when working with this population. Counselors’ experiences of assessment and ensuring safety consisted of effectively engaging with their clients during the intake interview, assessing risk, applying crisis skills, and formulating personalized treatment plans. Our findings also demonstrate that working with sex trafficking survivors requires additional competencies as illustrated in previous research. All participants highlighted the importance of embracing a philosophy of empathy and validation in their work with clients by being someone who was warm, genuine, open-minded, patient, and nonjudgmental. Counselors also recognized the need to engage in work that advocated for clients within and outside of the session. Despite their dedicated work with clients to process the emotional repercussions of sex trafficking and rebuild their lives, their efforts often did not seem to be enough to support clients in their recovery. So much of what ailed their clients fell on systemic or external forces (e.g., poverty, employment, lack of resources). The findings of this study encourage counselors to conceptualize through a trauma-focused lens, which considers how sex trafficking impacts all aspects of a client’s life and how they will interact in session. Participant narratives indicated that clients could present defiant behaviors, distrust, angry or irritable mood, and refusal to comply with treatment. Collectively, these themes underscore the importance of counselors’ ability to create safe, trusting, and empathic relationships that allow the client to disclose risk and eventually process trauma. While counselors establish a strong therapeutic relationship, they can integrate other counseling goals, including psychoeducation, assessing for risk, supporting clients through the stages of personal change, and helping the client rebuild and reintegrate into society. Claudia G. Interiano-Shiverdecker, PhD, LPC-A, is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Devon E. Romero, PhD, LPC, NCC, is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Katherine E. McVay, PhD, LPC, is an assistant professor at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. Emily Satel is a graduate of the master’s program in clinical mental health counseling at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Kendra Smith is a graduate of the master’s program in clinical mental health counseling at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Correspondence may be addressed to Claudia G. InterianoShiverdecker, College of Education and Human Development, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, claudia.interiano-shiverdecker@utsa.edu. Claudia G. Interiano-Shiverdecker, Devon E. Romero, Katherine E. McVay, Emily Satel, Kendra Smith “A Learning Curve” Counselors’ Experiences Working With Sex Trafficking Read full article and references: Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Romero, D. E., McVay, K. E., Satel, E., & Smith, K. (2024). “A learning curve”: Counselors’ experiences working with sex trafficking. The Professional Counselor, 13(4), 385–403. doi: 10.15241/cgis.13.4.385 2 TPC Digest
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