‘The power of language… ’

14.02.2020: This week, I have continued to facilitate our new Centrepoint Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) Staff Training Day 1 in our London region. One of the reoccurring themes of the first few sessions, particularly when considering how our work can be ‘psychologically (or ‘Trauma’) informed’, has been around language and words, with lots of interesting, thought provoking and reflective discussions about the power of our ‘language’ and how the words we use can frame our experiences and understanding. Given today is the day traditionally given over to the ‘language of love’, I have therefore been reflecting this week on the power of language; to convey our emotions, to form connections and relationships with others, to heal psychological wounds and comfort those in distress but also to ‘hurt’, judge or condemn others.

Psychologists are trained to pay attention to both verbal and non-verbal communication, to ‘look beyond the words’ of a person, to consider what they may be communicating with their behaviour, something I have discussed before in a previous blog (c.f. 01.11.2019). However, having said that, our words are the main means by which we communicate our needs, wants, desires and intentions to those around us and it is arguably important to pay careful attention to our words, and the words of those around us. Freedman & Combs (1996) note that; ‘Speaking isn’t neutral or passive. Every time we speak, we bring forward a reality. Each time we share words, we give legitimacy to the distinctions that these words bring forth’ (p29). Moreover, Berger & Luckman (1966) describe language as the pathway towards knowing what is real in our everyday lives, as something that influences our social interactions and defines our inner worlds. Heidegger (1971) goes even further and declares that ‘language is the house of being’ (p.63) — in other words language defines our relationships with ourselves (our thoughts) as well as our relationships with others around us and the wider world.

Johnson et al (2017) specifically speak about the importance of ‘language’, and its consideration in a PIE in their book: ‘Cross-Cultural Dialogues on Homelessness’. They specifically note the importance of constructing a common language when working with homeless individuals, who may have been traumatised by previous language used against them, about them, and to exclude them from previous services (i.e. by receiving a diagnosis of ‘Personality Disorder’, which may limit access to certain mental health services). Because words and language are so powerful, it can be argued that we should weld these potential ‘weapons’ with care. For example, considering how do we describe the actions of others? Are we observing or judging? What is the impact of the words we are using when speaking with others? Are we using our words to exclude, harm, punish or dismiss, or are we using them to encourage, engage, empower or support?

One of the discussions in the training sessions so far has been about shifting from a ‘traditional language’ to a more attachment focused or ‘trauma informed’ language when describing homeless young people. For example, is an individual’s behaviour towards us ‘attention seeking’ or ‘attachment seeking’? Are they ‘not possible to engage’ or ‘just not ready to engage yet’? Are they ‘defiant / aggressive’ or ‘in fight or flight survival mode as they perceive a threat’? A consideration of our language (and thereby our thoughts about and perception of a situation) can shape whether we take a position of compassion or blame, hope or hopelessness, connection or disconnection in our understanding of an individual, which then effects how we approach or work with them.

Consequently, viewing a homeless young person who fails to turn up for a prearranged appointment as someone who ‘isn’t engaging’ can often set in motion a particular set of actions. Within statutory mental health services, this might mean that they forfeit their place on a waiting list, or they are refused treatment even if desperately in need of support or intervention(s). However, viewing that same individual as ‘not feeling safe enough’ to meet, thus understanding their psychological and emotional needs (as per PIE, or through the lens of Attachment Theory: Bowlby, 1969) leads to a different set of actions. For example, encouraging staff to create a space that that homeless young person is willing to engage in (e.g. through offering flexibility in time or location, spending time building a trusting relationship with a compassionate, empathic, and non-judgemental stance) as well as offering support (i.e. a ‘secure base’) or advocacy by jointly attending an outside agency appointment with them.

Words / language also has the power to heal, through the mutual sharing of our experiences to support each other. We know that it is ‘good to talk’, humans are after all innately social animals, and PIE approaches support the need to address the psychological and emotional needs of our homeless young people (c.f. Keats et al, 2012). However, again Levy (2013) argues that we need to be flexible in how we offer this space to ‘talk’ and accept that an individual needs to feel ready and/or may not manage with ‘traditional’ approaches to psychological therapy (i.e. sitting in a room and talking face to face). In the past, when working with highly vulnerable, complex or traumatised individuals I have learnt that sometimes I need to be ‘creative’ in how I approach or speak with them. For example, using poetry or rap lyrics, story-telling, or word art has been helpful in enabling some individuals to communicate their distress or inner world, particularly if they have previously struggled with a ‘traditional’ therapeutic approach or perceived it as threatening.

Finally, when thinking about how we use our words / language when working in a PIE, I think the summary of working in a ‘trauma informed’ manner is a good guide to bear in mind when entering in to conversation with another person, whether they be a homeless young person or a staff colleague. This is outlined in a great video from NHS Scotland that we review in the Centrepoint PIE training (c.f. https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-discipline/psychology/multiprofessional-psychology/national-trauma-training-framework/trauma-informed-resources-opening-doors-and-sowing-seeds-animations.aspx), and notes that where possible we should provide ‘safety’ and ‘choice’, seek to ‘empower’ and ‘collaborate’ with others and create relationships based on ‘trust’. How we chose to use our language, and weld the power of our words is up to us, but I just wonder how positive and powerful would our words be, if we held these ‘trauma informed’ principles in mind when communicating with others?