Week of May 30-June 4, 2010

Trauma First Aide™: Bridging Physiology and Psychology

Developed as a short-term trauma intervention, Trauma First Aide (TFA) teaches skills to reduce symptoms of acute traumatic stress and to stabilize the nervous system in high arousal and urgent situations. Designed for therapists, nurses, physicians, teachers, military, first responders, clergy, disaster helpers, bodyworkers, and activists, this workshop is also appropriate for anyone interested in the human response to trauma. It focuses on trauma education, early intervention, and the prevention of secondary traumatization by building resilience in the nervous system. Current research shows that trauma contributes to more than mental health problems, including an array of physical syndromes involving altered pain processing and increased disease in cardiovascular, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems. More and more, recent trauma therapies include working with the nervous system to reestablish the mind-body connection as a vital part of the recovery process. Viewing typical acute traumatic stress symptoms as a dysregulated mind-body system response, we will work directly with the trauma symptoms, using an integrative approach. Topics covered include: background research; the nervous system’s role in trauma; differences between cognitive and somatic approaches; effects of trauma beyond mental health; case studies; and skills practice. TFA is useful for complex trauma, first response, disaster settings, and as a self-care model.

CEUs available for nurses.

CEUs available for MFTs and LCSWs.

Reservations Information (Accommodations & Pricing)