Fwd: New View of TSM and 2010 training group

[Eric Rutberg]

Dear Kate (and colleagues),

I certainly applaud and support your efforts both as a trainer and as a willing spokesperson for this dynamic intervention model. My research, as a doctoral student, over the past two years has clearly shown that exposure therapy, in the form of role-play and other psychodrama-type methods can be very effective. (In fact, Included elements of Kate's work in my training's for clincian's). 

This type of virtual reality work is happening with great success in many forums, from the offices of individual practitioners (grass roots laboratories for healing) and in military hospitals. The military is using virtual reality computer programs that simulate sights, sounds and smells to purposely trigger the fight, flight, freeze mechanism. Psychodrama, in a very real sense, from what I know (which aint as much as many) is an enhanced CBT prescription. It ostensibly affords clients the opportunity to learn and use/practice skills that allow them to manage psychobiological flooding. 

What some are calling an abreaction seems to me to be the intended reaction. What is at issue is probably less about the technique of psychodrama and more about thorough assessment and pre-psychodramatic training of the clients, to ensure they are prepared with the skills and self-understanding, as well as the information about possible "side-effects"

Psychodramatists and cognitive behavioralist's understand the need to elicit the psychobiological response of a patients traumatic past, so it may be processed in the here and now. How this is done in a way that is most effective and ethical and safe is still being established but whether or not it should be done is not really debated in the bulk of scholarly literature.

In my research, I studied the attitudes and practices 40 clinicians across the state of Maine. Pre-training survey results showed, by far, the majority of these clinicians were aghast at the idea that a clinician would employ systematic desensitization or exposure therapy. Post-training survey results showed that  learning about the psychobiology of trauma via lecture and watching videos etc was insufficient to sway their attitudes or behaviors. However, the majority of clinicians (a small  majority) did indicate a willingness to employ such techniques once they were trained in the safe use of role-play and practiced it experientially. 

Has Dr. van der Kolk been trained in the containing double technique or did he simply observe the process? Does he believe that all psychodrama is harmful or just some elements he witnesed once 10 years ago?

In any case, I wouldn't think this organization or any representative of the organization is well spending their time trying "convert" our respected colleague Dr. vdk or dissuade him from speaking out against psychodrama. His views represent the views of many but changing one perspective will do little for our cause in larger picture. That said, I appreciate such efforts if Dr. Kate were to choose to do so.

Thank you,
Eric Rutberg


________________________________
From: Dr Kate Hudgins <drkatetsi at mac.com>
To: grouptalk Listserv <list at grouptalkweb.org>
Sent: Mon, November 9, 2009 2:01:20 PM
Subject: Fwd: New View of TSM and 2010 training group

While this concern has come forward, I will again send out my training schedule on the Therapeutic Spiral Model for next year.  these are NOT advanced courses for psychodrama.  They are basic courses that teach you how to use doubling, role reversal and beginning directing skills safely so that the concerns that Adam brings up in his last email are NOT repeated in a new generation of students.  The first course alone gives you a way to assess your client for individual, group, couples or family therapy, whether a trauma survivor or not, what are the strengths and weaknesses.  It also allows you to DEFINE what roles are needed to achieve a state of spontaneity as a researcher and clinician.  It is an invaluable skill for anyone who will ever direct a psychodrama.   

now to blow my own horn for my sake, but for the sake of the many many many protagonist who will be in your hands.  I can get very excited about this.....the sense of responsibility we have as directors, healers.  It comes from the mistakes I saw made and the ones I made as a young director.  I come now to a time of humbly generativity in passing on what I have created.  Join me in Charlottesville to learn simple safety that will stay with you forever.  

I work out payment plans so dont let money stop you.  Kate



Begin forwarded message:

From: Dr Kate Hudgins <drkatetsi at mac.com>
>Date: November 5, 2009 2:50:56 PM EST
>To: grouptalk Listserv <list at grouptalkweb.org>
>Subject: New View of TSM and 2010 training group
>
>
>  
>>
>>
>>A NEW LOOK FOR TSM!!!
>>
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>>Many people seem to be under the misperception that TSM is only for advanced students.  This is simply not true.  In fact, given that TSM stresses safety, safety, safety, it is actually one of the best models for students new to psychodrama!  Not only do you learn the basic techniques of psychodrama--doubling, role reversal, and how to direct.....but you learn how to do it safely.  See our new Level One training group for 2010.  You can take one course, or you can join the whole series for the year and be with a group of like minded people studying the state of the art work on psychodrama and trauma together for a year.  Welcome Dr Kate.  Go to www.therapeuticspiral.org for more information.  
>>
>>
>>Our First New Level One Series in the Therapeutic Spiral Model Trauma Training to Heal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 
>>Starts in 2010     January---July-- December
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>>January 15-17, 2010
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>>Role Theory:  The Trauma Survivor's Intrapsychic Role Atom   
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>>This weekend course teaches you 3 ways to assess the personality structure of a trauma survivor with PTSD using role theory and using people friendly terms that takes therapy out of the often pathological view of DID, bipolar and other psychiatric disorders that trauma survivors are labeled with as they struggle with symptoms like body memories, flashbacks and anxiety attacks.  You will learn a pen and paper tool, an action role atom, and an art therapy collage--all creative ways for you and your client to look at the impact of trauma on their brains and their personality.  This overview of the Therapeutic Spiral Model is then put into psychodramatic action as you experience the roles of protagonist, trained auxiliary ego and assistant leader.  You do not need previous psychodramatic experience to begin your training in TSM as it teaches you the safest way to begin to learn psychodrama to keep your protagonist safe at all times, while involving the
 entire group to make it a truly therapeutic method for all members.  
>>
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>>Cost:  $425.   10%ASGPP discount  25 hours of training.    Housing available at local friends for $25/night or at the English Inn for single or shared room of 99/night.  
>>
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>>July 11-16  Summer Residential
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>>The Prescriptive Roles of Containment
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>>This 5 day summer residential workshop teaches students the all important Prescriptive Roles of Scene 1 in all TSM psychodramas.  To prevent retraumatization in all psychodrama working with trauma, the director learns to empower the protagonist and the group with the Observing ego, the roles of restorative strengths, the Containing and Body Doubles and the Manager of Defenses.  When all of these roles are enacted on the stage, what you find is that you have have, in fact, DEFINED the state of spontaneity and the protagonist is able to stay in the here and now.  For many decades psychodramatists have said, how can you tell if someone is spontaneous? Well this course teaches the Prescriptive roles so that you can make sure that each and every protagonist you direct is always in a state of spontaneity that can lead to new creative action.  Team practice in the TSM roles of director, Assistant leader and Trained Auxiliary ego, as well as opportunities
 to be a protagonist in safe psychodramas.  
>>
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>>Cost:  $1200   10% ASGPP discount.   Shared living in rented homes in the mountains of Virginia with a cook and massage available.    60 hours of training
>>
>>
>>December 3-5  The Trauma Triangle
>>
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>>This weekend workshop introduces students to the TSM Triangles of the Victim-Perpetrator-Abandoning Authority.  During any traumatic experience of overwhelming stress or violence, the personality structure internalizes these three roles.  Most people easily understand the experience of victim and perpetrator, but the most important role is that of being abandoned.  Abandoned to the violence of emotional, psychological, physical, sexual or spiritual abuse by mothers, fathers, teachers, ministers, priests, and others teaching the child that she or he is not worth love, care, support.  In turn, we learn to abandon ourselves to future violence, to eating disorders, to alcohol, to drugs, to more benign neglect of lack of self care.  This workshop teaches how to identify your own trauma patterns by "walking the trauma triangle" and then how to break the triangle by using the Prescriptive role and find true self care.  
>>
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>>Cost:  $425   10% ASGPP discount   25 hours of training          Student housing in friends homes for $25/night or housing in the English Inn for single of shared room of $99.  
>>
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>>Total course cost:  $2050.  10% ASGPP discount $1845      If full course paid for by January 1st, 2010.  $1750.    Pay pal accepted. 
>>
>>
>>Led by Dr Kate Hudgins, Ph.D. TEP, Clinical Psychologist, Founder of the Therapeutic Spiral Model, International Expert on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Received Innovator's Award in 2001 and the Scholar's Award in 2009 from the ASGPP.  She will be assisted by fellow TSM Trainers Mimi Cox, LCSW, PAT, Colleen Baratka, MA, RDT, TEP, Catherine Wilson, RN, M.Ed, CP and Jeanne Burger, Ed.D., TEP, all original members of the TSM training group from 1992-1995.  
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>>Workshops held in Charlottesville, Virginia.  
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>>Kate Hudgins, Ph.D., TEP
>>
>>
>>Clinical Psychologist
>>Director of Training
>>Therapeutic Spiral International, LLC
>>ww.therapeuticspiral.org
>>drkatetsi at mac.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>Kate Hudgins, Ph.D., TEP
>
>
>Clinical Psychologist
>Director of Training
>Therapeutic Spiral International, LLC
>ww.therapeuticspiral.org
>drkatetsi at mac.com
>
>
>
>
>Grouptalk mailing list
>List at grouptalkweb.org
>http://grouptalkweb.org/mailman/listinfo/list_grouptalkweb.org

Kate Hudgins, Ph.D., TEP

Clinical Psychologist
Director of Training
Therapeutic Spiral International, LLC
ww.therapeuticspiral.org
drkatetsi at mac.com


      
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