Trauma, etc.

Mon Nov 9 14:43:14 CST 2009

I know very little about the military's "exposure" work with triggering the
fight, flight or freeze responses with virtual stimulation.

However, as a psychodramatist and psychotherapist, I am questioning the
purpose of such work - is such work designed for healing or simply to attune
the person's brain survive such terrifying events?

I have talked with veterans, including special operations veterans, who tell
of being "prepared" for combat, capture and other potential events by,
having them actually experience severe food and water deprivation, beatings,
dental surgery without anesthesia and near-drowning. 

This preparation comes from the era before virtual reality. I would call
such experiences abuse, and yes, torture. Psychodrama, role play and other
experiential methods should be safe and directed towards healing,
integration and safety.

Karen Carnabucci, MSS, LCSW, TEP

Lake House Health & Learning Center

932 Lake Ave.

Racine, WI 53403

(262) 633-2645

karenc at wi.rr.com

Web: http://www.lakehousecenter.com

Wellness blog: http://lakehouseracine.blogspot.com

Coaching blog: http://wholepersonmarketing.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lakehousecenter

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/karencarnabucci

  _____  

From: list-bounces at grouptalkweb.org [mailto:list-bounces at grouptalkweb.org]
On Behalf Of Eric Rutberg
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 2:02 PM
To: Dr Kate Hudgins; grouptalk Listserv
Subject: Re: Fwd: New View of TSM and 2010 training group

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!!!

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 <http://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

January 15-17, 2010

Role Theory:  The Trauma Survivor's Intrapsychic Role Atom   

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.  

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.  

July 11-16  Summer Residential

The Prescriptive Roles of Containment

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.  

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

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.  

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.  

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.  

Workshops held in Charlottesville, Virginia.  

Kate Hudgins, Ph.D., TEP

Clinical Psychologist

Director of Training

Therapeutic Spiral International, LLC

ww.therapeuticspiral.org <http://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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