Trauma Dynamics Experiential: Autonomic Stress Processing Workshop

This workshop is designed to ground the theory presented in the plenary talk through concrete examples and experiential learning. We will be viewing videos of actual trauma therapy sessions, discuss the phases of treatment and the tasks involved in each phase, and we will participate in two experiential exercises. 

In particular, we will be looking at the Trauma Dynamics model which is a research backed protocol that draws from a number of different areas including: research on the autonomic nervous system, brain science, memory systems, mindfulness practices, attachment, and transference theory.

Specific skills this workshop will focus on:

Resourcing: defined as a patient’s ability to shift their nervous system to a more calm, relaxed state at will (a precursor to auto-regulation). Many clients either do not have a stable, calm resting place that they are able to shift into, or they have maladaptive mechanisms for achieving this state change. Resourcing is a foundational, necessary ability for further therapy, which maybe inherently destabilizing, to take place.

Containment: a process that is central to the Trauma Dynamics model; it is the catalyst that allows the nervous system to process held stress and trauma events. Students will have the opportunity to experience containment (on stress and high stress events).

Learner's Objectives:

• Understand how to work with anxiety, panic and dissociative symptoms as part of the healing process
• Learn the Trauma Dynamics resourcing protocol: how to shift your patient’s nervous system state from activation to calm
• Experience how your nervous system resolves stress through a hands-on Containment session