Description:
OPD Points: 10
Objectives
- Describe the brain regions involved in trauma.
- Communicate the clinical implications of the freeze response in trauma treatment.
- Establish how clinicians can assess for simple, complex, and intergenerational trauma.
- Characterize how bottom-up techniques like grounding and breathwork can increase felt safety in clients.
- Evaluate methods clinicians can use to gauge when clients are ready for intense trauma work.
- Describe how narrative therapy exercises can be employed in session to help clients talk about hotspots.
- Determine how somatic approaches can be used to address the physical symptoms of trauma survivors.
- Integrate techniques that can be used to “slow” emotions in clients.
- Communicate how EMDR-based techniques can be used with clients to resolve traumatic memories.
- Differentiate between EMDR, EFT and neuromodulation approaches.
- Utilize techniques for working with anger, resistance, and suicidality in clients who’ve experienced trauma.
- Communicate the potential risks and limitations of trauma treatment techniques.
Key Learning Objectives / Outcomes:
Outline
The Neuroscience of Trauma and Mechanisms of Change
- Key brain areas involved in trauma
- Fight, flight, freeze, fawn survival responses
- Clinical implications of the freeze response
- The neuroscience of EMDR, exposure therapy and cognitive therapy
- Simple vs. complex trauma
- Intergenerational trauma
- Symptom clusters and physical manifestations
- CAPS-5 and PCL-5
- Primary Care PTSD Screen
- Dual diagnosis
- Trauma treatment roadmap – order of operations
- Bottom-up techniques to reconnect and feel safe in the body
- Self-soothing techniques
- Grounding strategies
- Breathwork
- Gauge when a client is ready for intense trauma/cognitive work
Proven Skills and Techniques from Evidence-Based Approaches:
Somatic Approaches: Address Physical Symptoms of Trauma
- Relevance of Polyvagal theory and early trauma
- Assess for readiness to apply somatic tools
- Teach body awareness
- Manage unease with “Felt sense” exercises
- Resourcing strategies to create a safe space
CBT Coping Skills: Manage Emotions
- Identify inaccurate trauma-related cognitions
- Exposure, titration and pendulation to slow emotions
- Cognitive reframing and reappraisal interventions
- Memory reconstruction techniques
EMDR-Based Techniques: Resolve Traumatic Memories
- Adaptive Information Processing Theory
- EMDR vs EFT vs neuromodulation
- Resourcing strategies
- Combine memory reprocessing with cognitive restructuring
- Using “restricted processing” with complex trauma
Narrative Therapy Exercises: Rewrite Traumatic Experiences
- Interventions to help clients talk about hotspots
- Reclaim identity with the “Tree of life” exercise
- Awareness and closure – create life stories
- How to handle the angry client
- Strategies for the resistant trauma client
- Boundary concerns
- Dealing with crises, suicidality, substance use
- Better than normal – the neuroscience of post-traumatic growth
- The therapeutic alliance as a brain-based approach
- The power of forgiveness in moving forward
- Meaning making exercises
Target Audience
- Counsellors
- Social Workers
- Physicians
- Psychologists
- Case Managers
- Addiction Counsellors
- Therapists
- Marriage & Family Therapists
- Nurses
- Other Mental Health Professionals
Presenter / Provider:
Stacy Ruse, LPC and Arielle Schwartz, PhD, CCTP-II, E-RYT
Presenter Qualifications:
Stacy Ruse, LPC, is an Evergreen EMDR consultant and clinician, IFS-Institute consultant, and founder of Aglow Counselling. Stacy teaches a therapeutic style that is characterised by a transpersonal twist, transcending the conventional boundaries of traditional therapy. Her holistic approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit allowing individuals to tap into their innate resilience and ignite their personal transformation journey. With a comprehensive background in trauma therapy, Stacy’s approach is deeply rooted in trauma-informed methodologies. Stacy is also trained in tapping to help clients navigate emotional blockages, reduce anxiety, and foster emotional regulation.
Arielle Schwartz, PhD, CCTP-II, E-RYT, is a clinical psychologist, internationally sought-out EMDR teacher, therapeutic yoga instructor, and leading voice in the healing of PTSD and complex trauma. Dr. Schwartz approaches her EMDR training with an emphasis on integrating somatic, parts work, and mindfulness-based interventions in clinical practice. She is the author of six books based upon her integrative, mind-body approach to trauma recovery: The Complex PTSD Workbook; The Post Traumatic Growth Guidebook; A Practical Guide to Complex PTSD; EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology; The Complex PTSD Treatment Manual, and Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery. Her unique blend of spirituality and science can be found in her writings, guided trauma recovery programs, and applied Polyvagal Theory in yoga for trauma recovery.
