The stage of MAKING HUMAN CONTACT saw fear becoming a key concern again. The rising need for contact with others evoked uncertainties and fears of being re-abused, re-abandoned, and re-traumatised. This fear was not easily dismissed and clients experienced issues of trust and safety surfacing again.
To proceed in this stage proved to be unexpectedly difficult. The consensus was that clients had imagined that once the processing of the traumatic material had been completed and Integration became more advanced, their struggle would be over and they would be able to have relationships like everybody else. They were surprised how ingrained their habit of living Behind Block Walls was and how little they knew about normal everyday relationships. They had to Learn To Relate and Repair Broken Trust. A strengthened sense of responsibility as well as a growing internal locus of control aided people to proceed in this stage.