The straightforward treatment of trauma is often complicated by the nature of traumatic responses:

clients become disconnected and numb

they experience flooding of memory rather than resolution

they feel overwhelmed, stimulating impulsivity and self destructive reactions

Many treatment approaches get high marks from most clients; many are supported by evidence-based research. Most advocate using that one single method and ask the therapist to use the approach in its pure form. But, that is often not practical with complex trauma clients. We can actually increase our effectiveness with complex PTSD when we integrate elements of different models to fit clients' needs and also to enhance the effects of each approach.

Increasingly greater numbers of therapists are being trained in EMDR, in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, in DBT, in IFS, or in Somatic Experiencing, but how do they choose which to use when? Which complement and strengthen each other?

This workshop will discuss practical strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of these models by combining elements of each that can help clients manage the stress of trauma work, stay present, tolerate the memories and emotions, and regulate autonomic arousal to avoid overwhelm or numbing.

When we hit roadblocks in treatment, the addition of another method can often help the client over the hump.