“Trauma, Renewal and Optimism" - A Conversation with Phoenix Australia's Janine Kirk, David Forbes and Sharon Bown
Phoenix Australia is Australia’s National Centre of Excellence in Posttraumatic Mental Health and an internationally recognised leader in the field. The team is committed to driving forward the mental health agenda both at home and abroad.
Sharon said, "What makes me optimistic is our capacity for renewal. I myself have knocked on death's door three times unsuccessfully and my ability to be able to not just recover, but to renew my life after severe trauma. I am also an avid gardener and I find a lot of peace in the gardner and it's a living representation of renewal."
David said, "What makes me optimistic? I think it is that clinical psychology is maturing a lot and is really becoming much better at taking a step back and better understanding the nature of optimism, belief systems, spirituality, and growth as integrated with the experience following significant negative events and trauma."