Transforming crisis into personal growth
When I joined the ICRC in 2007, it never once occurred to me that the work I would come to love would become such a big part of who I was, and influence me to such an extend.
I understood what burn out was, but I realize that my way of coping with the stress and danger was keeping myself occupied and very busy. Before one mission was ending, I was already planning and preparing for the next one.
Although I enjoyed breaks and rest in between, I was hungry for the next adventure, I needed it to feel alive, to feel like I was making a difference. Life outside of the mission seemed quite boring and insignificant.
When I left the mission in 2015, I didn’t realize how hard it would be. I call it the recovery process now. There were times when I felt betrayed by my body, ashamed at my weakness and vulnerability. I had so many unanswered questions. Why now? How can I get better? Who can help me? How do I recover?
My desire to make sense what I experienced and to help others, led me to complete a year-long research project into the impact of trauma and stress on aid workers during the final year of my masters.
I currently work with highly traumatized refugees and asylum seekers offering specialized trauma informed therapy.
I graduated with a Master of Science in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy at Derby University (2016-2019). I am also a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapist (BACP).
Prior to my training as a psychotherapist, I worked for 8 years in the field as a Protection Delegate for the ICRC with missions in Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific region (2007-2015).