**Author details**

include relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation that are congruent with the approach we presented. It is also close to Frankl's description of experiential values. Moreover, Frankl's belief in man's ability to take a different attitude toward situations that cannot be changed may be part of the acceptance and commitment therapy. However, the humanisticexistential approach distinguishes itself from others by its focus on increasing existential awareness and, therefore, freedom of being. Such a freedom accounts for new existential

Accompanying patients like Mark and Eleanor, as a humble facilitator of their deep and meaningful transformation was a privilege. For PTSD patients, being in presence of a wellintended witness through the exploration of their suffering may be the first step to allow the

For the therapist, the recognition of the other as a sensitive subject, a fellow human being who experienced traumatic suffering, may as well be a transformative experience that should not be left unnoticed. Patients' existential suffering also represents our own suffering as human beings. Others' suffering may as well be the suffering we all share—or will share—as a result

In recent years, there has been increasing interest for the experience of professionals working with individuals who suffered from trauma. In fact, the concept of posttraumatic growth may as well apply to professionals. Arnold et al. [28] claimed that therapists also experience positive changes in many areas of their lives such as relationship to self, others, and to the world. Being in touch with human's profound suffering and transformative growth may be a source of existential meaning for therapist. In a recent study, Ben-Porat [29] actually suggests that secondary exposure to trauma can lead both to distress and traumatic growth. Potential for human connection and supporting work environment may allow therapists to develop and

As a therapist, and as an existential being, both life and work offers intense moments of human connections and may be deeply and existentially meaningful. Cultivating awareness and sensitivity may also help therapists to fully appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of human connections. By allowing ourselves to be existentially touched by our client's lives, we have to be open to also be transformed by the therapeutic encounter. In the tribute to his mentor Rollo May, Pitchford [6] captures the essence of the ultimate, free, and responsible existential engagement we have as humanistic-existential therapists working with suffering and growing

"*I had to freely choose whether or not to take risks in my own life, to take responsibility for those risks, or to remain in a state of comfort, avoidance, and security. I knew that if I were to avoid risks, I could potentially miss out on discovering further potentialities about*

reconstruction of human connectedness that is often disrupted by trauma.

of our human condition of being mortal, aware, free, and responsible.

maintain a balance between potential distress and growth.

responsibilities: to live a life that is coherent and meaningful.

200 A Multidimensional Approach to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - from Theory to Practice

**6. Conclusion**

individuals:

*myself*."

Mélanie Vachon1\*, Prudence C. Bessette2 and Christine Goyette1

\*Address all correspondence to: vachon.melanie@uqam.ca

1 Psychology Department, UQÀM, Montreal, Canada

2 SHERPA Research Team/McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada
