We are living in what seems like a pandemic of trauma, with virus, climate, economic, social, and other changes causing mass upheavals and disruptions to ordinary life. In a world obsessed by the need to label/diagnose (sometimes via social media) and medicate “mental illness”, adopting an evidence based, non-labelling, curious, trauma-informed approach may be seen as radical.
However, social justice, human rights, medical, consumer and carer activist groups, along with many health professionals are now demanding change in our approach to the treatment of enduring emotional distress. So what is a trauma-informed approach to psychotherapy? This topic introduces students to a contemporary understanding of trauma as an intergenerational legacy, and highlights the differences between trauma-informed psychotherapy (TIPP) and traditional approaches to treatment. The emphasis in TIPP is on choice, collaboration, respect, autonomy, resourcing and acceptance vs the traditional risk or symptom reduction approach. A “whole of person” approach is adopted including physical health aspects. Based on the Blue Knot Foundation guidelines (2012, 2019), TIPP is enriched by ethical, relational, gestalt and phenomenological reflections. This week, students will also reflect on their hopes and goals for the course.
Course guidelines and assessment criteria will be discussed, and in the practicum on Wednesday, students will compete to see which group can answer all the quiz questions correctly.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Critically analyse and compare the key differences between trauma-informed psychotherapy practice and traditional mental health practices such as “treatment as usual”
- Make trauma- informed decisions when meeting a “client” for the first time
- Articulate and demonstrate basic principles of trauma-informed psychotherapy practice including deep listening, unconditional positive regard, and ability to build safe therapeutic alliance with a “client” initially presenting with complex trauma symptoms.
- Create strategies to address the impact of environment and lifestyle on the mental health of clients and clinicians
- Apply awareness and knowledge of diversity issues to practice
- Demonstrate ability to self- reflect on strengths and growing edges
