Survival Psychology Paper: The Gift Of Fear

Survival Psychology Paper

Our bodies alert us to fear in many ways. Often people confuse worry and fear, however there is a distinct difference. Fear can be aroused by a disturbing emotion in the presence of danger, real or imagined. Worry is more inward torments of personal thoughts. Both of which can cause stress. These potential stresses can affect me in my chosen field. Therefore, I must understand the “Gift of Fear,” know the common stresses found in counselors, and show resilience in the face of survival psychology.

The “Gift of Fear”

In the video, The Gift of Fear, Gavin de Becker explains fear, the difference between fear and worry/anxiety, and intuition. He states, fear is a “brief signal in the presence of danger.” He also explains

After doing some research, I discovered some of the stressors were in the form of paperwork, such as; writing reports, filing insurance claims, treatment planning, and documenting sessions. One of the counselors referred to this as a “necessary evil” (Lent, 2010). Another stressor is payment. One counselor frets because they bill a certain amount to the insurance company, however, the client paperwork must be filled out in full before payment can be received. Sometimes certain insurance companies negotiate what they are willing to pay the provider, unfortunately, most counselors would much rather receive cash payment than to “jump through hoops” to get paid for their

Counselors listen to the client’s problems all day long, which can build up in the counselor. So, where do they put the stress buildup they receive from their job? Depending on the clients the counselor helps also determines if there is any present danger placed on the counselor. For example: 1) If one counsels in a prison setting, they are in constant danger all the time. 2) If one works in a VA hospital, they may endure stress or hostile situations or danger, especially if dealing with client’s with PTSD. 3) If one works with family counseling, they may deal with anger, stress, and violence. All of which can lead to danger if the emotions build and