Abstract

Professor katie harster has considered the phenomenon of psychological trauma, bringing philosophical understandings into play. She provides an informed account of observed “symptoms,” and associated treatments. I comment as a counseling psychologist, although I do not specialize in the evidence-based treatments that she describes. Usually, in my work with clients, we are trying to make sense of what has happened, with a concern for what might happen in the future. I am grateful therefore to colleagues who have the expertise that I lack. I recall a discussion with one of these colleagues, who suggested that, “If a house is on fire, your priority should be to put out the flames and you can worry about how it caught...