64th Annual Conference

Friday, March 9

Afternoon Workshops

2:45-6:00 P.M.

Workshop 71

Group Therapy with Childhood Trauma Survivors: Different Patterns, Different Approaches

Chairs:

Cara Beames, M.A., Private Practice, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Noel Larson, M.S.W., Ph.D., Owner/Psychologist, Meta Resources, P.A., St. Paul, Minnesota

Adults traumatized by abuse as children are often deemed unsuitable for group treatment. Highly reactive to their own and others emotional material, they frequently decompensate or blow out of groups when triggered often disabling the group. This workshop will present two different models for treating different post trauma patterns, and will demonstrate two different open-ended group approaches that are effective with victims that are hyper-aroused or victims that are dissociated.

experiential, didactic, demonstration, sharing of work experiences

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:
1. Distinguish between hyper-aroused (victim-like) and dissociated (perpetrator-like) post trauma clients.
2. Structure groups that are effective with each reactive stance to trauma (victim or perpetrator).
3. Learn to structure interventions that are effective, and do not trigger PTSD reactions.
4. Learn how to interface individual and group therapy with this highly reactive population.

Course References:

1. Maddock J. and Larson, N. (1995).  Incestuous Families: An ecological approach to understanding and treatment. New York: WW Norton.