Working with Trauma and Displacement Issues

Format: The workshop, of whatever length, will consist of didactic presentation, experiential activity, and discussion/processing as it explores classical psychodrama, role theory, the Therapeutic Spiral ModelT (Hudgins, 2002, 2000), and other action strategies for working with issues of trauma recovery and cultural integration. An action demonstration of the neurobiology of trauma will also be included. Experienced psychodramatists will have opportunities to practice directing in the model during the two-day or weekend workshops.

Participants: This workshop is appropriate for professionals working with the effects of trauma (counselors, social workers, case managers), psychodramatists interested in learning more about this methodology, professionals who have been personally affected by trauma, and those in various roles who work with refugee individuals and families. Psychodrama training is not a prerequisite, but the focus is on working with trauma and not in providing psychodrama training. Experienced psychodramatists would likely gain more from the experience than those without basic training in the modality.

Learning Outcomes - Participants will be able to:

. describe role analysis categories and their applications for treatment planning

. build personal, interpersonal, transpersonal, and cultural strengths using action methods

. perform action interventions to contain intense affect and dissociation

. describe applications of the model to work with refugee populations

. articulate basic concepts about the neurophysiology of trauma

Logistics: This workshop can be offered as a full day workshop with 6-7 hours of workshop time bookended around a lunch break, a two-day workshop with 6-7 hours the first day and 5-6 the second, or a full weekend, including a Friday night introduction. Time is adjustable. Space needs include a room with movable chairs and large enough to accommodate the people involved. Tables off to the side and a blackboard or whiteboard are needed. Art activities can be incorporated and would, then, require art supplies. Lunch breaks are scheduled and group members may either be on their own for lunch, or "pot luck" arrangements can be made.

Staff: If there are people locally available who are interested in and/or knowledgeable about neurobiology, as well as psychodrama and/or theatrical presentation, they can be incorporated into a workshop team with adequate preparation time.