Become empowered as a trauma clinician! Learn from expert trauma clinician Lisa Ferentz how to shine a spotlight on your clients' resiliency and creativity - while planting the seeds of hope and Post-Traumatic Growth even in the earliest stages of therapy! When we work with traumatized clients we often feel compelled to stay focused on the inevitable byproducts of PTSD. As we look for the ways in which clients have been adversely affected by their trauma, it can inadvertently narrow our sense of who they are, and solidify their identities as "damaged" or "broken." Although helping clients to reconnect with and process their pain and grief is important, this workshop takes you further. You will learn respectful and powerful ways to weave the concepts of Post-Traumatic Growth into the treatment process. Using moving and inspiring case examples and videos made by clients we will identify the tangible markers of post-traumatic growth including: a new way of relating to others the capacity to believe in new possibilities the rediscovery of personal strengths a newfound appreciation for life Participants will have many opportunities to practice creative strategies including: somatic resourcing; journaling; drawing; two-handed writing; and guided imagery and visualizations all designed to install and strengthen hope, growth, and healing in clients and therapists alike. Objectives: Characterize post-traumatic growth and identify two metaphors that can be used to introduce the concept into the therapy process. Construct three examples of how the meaning clients attach to trauma can either intensify or mitigate their experiences. Evaluate three examples of the positive and negative impact that clients' meaning-making has on treatment outcomes. Analyze at least three reasons why some clients might find it challenging to reach a place of post-traumatic growth. Assess for 5 personality traits that can increase the likelihood of clients experiencing post-traumatic growth in therapy. Communicate the "hamster wheel" phenomenon of perpetually asking "why" trauma occurred. Construct the cognitive steps that allow trauma survivors to move beyond their questioning into pro-active, forward movement. Appraise the "Shattered Vase" analogy and its relevance to posttraumatic growth. Choose three ways in which the strengths- based perspective can be woven into treatment and how why it benefits client's healing processes. Select three assessment questions that can be used to highlight and strengthen clients' resiliency. Categorize the 5 measurable arenas that are indicative of posttraumatic growth and give examples of each. Implement at least 6 creative strategies designed to connect clients to the concepts of PTG and to strengthen their awareness of their own growth journeys. Outline PROCESSING THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA Shifting from PTSD to Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) Define PTG- analogies for treatment Explore the Subjective Meaning of Trauma Writing Experiential ASSESS FOR CLIENT RESILIENCY The Challenges of Achieving PTG Planting the Seeds of PTG in Therapy The Therapist's Lens and Countertransference Case Study THE POWER OF POSITIVE SELF-TALK The Strengths-based Perspective Introduce Self-Compassion Experiential: Remembered Resources Cognitive Re-framing: Going for Kindness MOVE BEYOND A TRAUMA IDENTITY Notice Double Standards Highlighting Resiliency Indicators of Post-traumatic Growth EXPLORING THE MANIFESTATIONS OF POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH Process the PTG Inventory Re-discover Personal Strengths Case Study and Video Experientials: Somatic resourcing, Visualization and Art Belief in New Possibilities Case Study and Video Experiential: PTSD and PTG Through Art MOVING BEYOND THE TRAUMATIZED SELF Relating to Others Experiential: Two-handed Writing Exploring Spirituality Case Study and Video HELP CLIENTS PAY IT FORWARD Newfound Appreciation of Life Case Study Experiential: Art and Gratitude PTG and Forgiveness BUILDING ON THE SEEDS OF POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH Additional Creative Strategies to Promote PTG Guided Imagery, Documenting Healing Through Artwork, Journaling About the Speaker: Lisa Ferentz, LCSW-C, DAPA, is a recognized expert in the strengths based, de-pathologized treatment of trauma and self-harm and has been in private practice since 1984. She presents workshops and keynote addresses nationally and internationally, and is a clinical consultant to practitioners and mental health agencies in the United States, Canada, England and Ireland. She has been an adjunct faculty member at several universities, and in 2007 founded “The Ferentz Institute”, which provides continuing education and state of the art training in trauma treatment to mental health professionals. In 2009 she was voted the “Social Worker of the Year” by the Maryland Society for Clinical Social Work. Lisa is the author of Treating Self-Destructive Behaviors in Traumatized Clients: A Clinician’s Guide (Routledge), now in its second edition, Letting Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors: A Workbook of Hope and Healing (Routledge), and Finding Your Ruby Slippers: Transforming Life Lessons From the Therapist’s Couch (PESI). Lisa hosted a weekly radio talk show, writes blogs and articles for websites on trauma, self-harm, and self-care, teaches on many webinars, and is a weekly contributor to www.PsychologyToday.com.. You can follow Lisa’s work at www.theferentzinstitute.com |