Trauma
Peter Howie
peterhowie at macquariehouse.com.au
Tue Nov 10 13:23:42 CST 2009
Dear Adam,
Thanks you for your email. You have reminded me of one of my current
pet hates/gripes/complaints. I will write something provocative and
then explain in my own terms.
There is no such thing as trauma. It is a philosophy, it is an
orientation, it is a metaphor like most mental and similar diagnosis.
However there are people who have experienced trauma. There are people
who live with the effects of trauma. There are people for whom trauma
dominates their present lives. This distinction is very important.
Trauma never exists outside of human beings (or animals et al). Trauma
being discussed as a disembodied "thing" takes it away from the people
who may be traumatised. Using the term trauma means that often people
(therapists, carers, counsellors etc) do not have to engage with the
inner world of the person. Labels (and often diagnoses) like the
wonderful hippy movements used to proclaim in the 60's and 70's of
last century, are not the person. They are a form of intimacy
reduction and ways of creating safety for the helpers. This process is
endemic in the mental health area as my colleague Dr Wendy MacIntosh
relates in a video on our web site at: http://www.morenocollegium.com.au/moreno_collegium_its_purpose_origins_and_future_and_development_campus_life/students_area_2009/dvd_u
Your point about relating to the person and their dilemmas rather than
the diagnosis is important to me. It is similar with the use of the
term abreaction or catharsis of abreaction.
Cheers
Peter
Peter Howie B.Sc, TEP
Managing Director
The Moreno Collegium for Human Centred Learning, Research and
Development
0411 873 851
www.morenocollegium.com.au
On 11/11/2009, at 2:13 AM, Adam Blatner wrote:
> Abreaction is simply the re-connection of conscious awareness with
> feelings and ideas that had been repressed. In the vast majority of
> cases, in ordinary psychotherapy, this happens on occasion. I make
> the point in Foundations of Psychodrama that emotions (sometimes
> laughter) is not the goal, but rather a side-effect, a frequent
> accompaniment to the process. Sometimes it's as gentle as an aha.
> Sometimes the tears that flow represent the welcoming home that
> which has been split off and missed.
> The next step of course has been mentioned, that the challenge
> then is how do I integrate that which I have found in the past to be
> absolutely unacceptable. Sometimes I'm ready and there's almost no
> problem. Sometimes I have to do a good deal of shadow work, as it
> has come to be called, to re-vision myself to recognize that I'm
> more (whatever) than I thought, but it's okay.
> I note some further types of integration in my book..
>
> Trauma is a different thing---sort of the difference between a
> broken bone and one that is not only broken, but the fracture breaks
> through the skin and has become vulnerable to infection (i.e., a
> "compound" fracture). It's far more than mere repression. Many
> other primitive coping mechanisms have been energized.
>
> The whole dynamic of trauma has become more appreciated only
> since the late 1970s or early 1980s, and many psychological theories
> developed before that time didn't really take this into consideration.
>
> The point is that there are no procedures or processes that
> are good for every client. That which may help A may be
> contraindicated for B.
>
> Warmly, Adam
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Eric Rutberg
> To: grouptalk Listserv
> Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:31 AM
> Subject: [SPAM] abreaction
>
> Team,
>
> Are we referring to re-traumatizing and abreaction interchangeably?
> My sense of abreaction is that it is a type of catharsis, a reliving
> of an experience in order to purge it of its emotional hold (often
> unconscious hold) over client behaviors and attitudes and feelings
> etc.
>
> While abreaction could retraumatize a client, I suppose, it is
> certainly not necessarily so - right??
>
> Eric
>
>
>
>
> 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 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
>>> 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Grouptalk mailing list
> List at grouptalkweb.org
> http://grouptalkweb.org/mailman/listinfo/list_grouptalkweb.org
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