Information on Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress

 

Trauma comes in many forms. It can result from a single blow event, such as witnessing a sudden or tragic death or being involved in an accident. The effects of trauma can be cumulative such as result from child or wife abuse, or when involved with constant tragedy such as happens to emergency providers and therapists.

In theory, any kind of sudden catastrophic or unexpected event, any violent, horrific, life-threatening force has the potential to overwhelm the usual coping strategies, leaving the person vulnerable to emotional distress. When these forces are of nature, we speak of disasters. When the overwhelming forces are of human making, we speak of atrocities.

• The effects of trauma are experienced physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
• The effects of trauma significantly impact social relationships, including both work and family relationships.
• Trauma affects the ability to pay attention to, and  retain information, thus interfering with learning and the development of a solid future.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

 

A diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) may be applied when a traumatic event leaves a person with lasting symptoms.  Some of these symptoms include feelings of intense fear, including a persistent expectation of further danger, and feelings of  helplessness and powerlessness. Those who have experienced trauma that results in post traumatic stress are often plagued by distressing memories, flashbacks and nightmares and many continue to struggle with the same powerful emotions they experienced at the time of the trauma.   Some who have experienced trauma continue to use the same self-protecting means they initially learned (including the use of drugs and alcohol) to numb the emotional, mental, spiritual and sometimes physical pain.

Taking Flight’s Trauma Recovery Certification Training

 

Since 2000,  Dr. Jane  A. Simington, PH.D has pioneered a model for healing trauma which is based on up-to-date trauma research, her personal experience with trauma, and on her extensive clinical experience.  In her work with adult survivors of childhood and sexual abuse, traumatized women in a federal prison and with traumatized First Nation Canadians, many of whom were experiencing direct trauma as well as the long-term effects of intergenerational trauma resulting from residential school experiences, Simington demonstrated the effectiveness of consistent application of the Four Part Model for Healing Trauma©.  This model employs culturally appropriate strategies to gain the attention of both the brain’s hemispheres, to heal the memories and emotions stored in body, mind and spirit, and provides strategies for reclaiming a resilient life of freedom and joy.

Because trauma affects all aspects of human functioning -physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social- and is a condition of disempowerment, all strategies for helping and healing, taught in the Taking Flight Trauma Recovery training, address the needs of body, mind, emotion and spirit.  These strategies support empowerment of the individual, family and community thus assisting in the reclaimimg of resilience and the rebuilding of healthy families and communities and offering hope for brighter futures.

After demonstrating the helping and healing effectiveness of this approach and responding to the call from professionals for training in the use of the model and the strategies that flowed from it, Simington designed The Trauma Recovery Certification training program.  The aim of this training is to translate new knowledge from the research setting to real-world applications in order to provide an effective wholistic and culturally sensitive healing service to those who have been traumatized thereby improving their futures and the futures of their children.

Since 2004, the Trauma Recovery Certification Training Program is delivered locally, nationally and internationally.  Numerous multidisciplinary professional from a variety of cultures are among those receiving certification.  Certification by Taking Flight  in Trauma Recovery is transferable for University level credits.

- Please click here to view a flyer for Taking Flight’s next Trauma Recovery Certification Training

- Please click here to check Taking Flight’s Trauma Recovery next training dates

- Please click here to obtain an Application Form (PDF) for Taking Flight’s Trauma Recovery Certification Training.

- Please click here to obtain an Application Form (WORD) for Taking Flight’s Trauma Recovery Certification Training.

- Please click here to read an article on Trauma and Dissociation: Neurological and Spiritual  Perspectives

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Who Should Take The Trauma Recovery Certification Training?

Individuals in each of the groups listed below have the potential for experiencing post traumatic stress disorder.

If you are working with, or would like to work with, individuals from any of the following or similar groups, then this training is definitely for you.

 

• ·      Residential school survivors
• ·      Survivors of political terror and/or torture
• ·      Active or retired military, firefighters, police officers
• ·      Active or retired health professionals who respond to trauma
• ·      Victims of child abuse
• ·      Adult survivors of child abuse
• ·      Victims of bullying
• ·      Those with uncontrollable anger and fears
• ·      Those involved in domestic violence
• ·      Those who are grieving sudden, tragic or multiple deaths
• ·      Those who are addicted to drugs and alcohol
• ·      Those who are unemployed since a difficult life event

 

 

Research  Support for Strategies Taught

In this section you find up-to-date research on trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Beneath each point of research you find the skills and strategies taught in the Taking Flight Trauma Recovery Certification Training that are based on this research and which you acquire during this certification training to help and heal those who have experienced trauma and post traumatic stress.

Since 2004, due to magnetic resonance imaging machines (MRI) there is increasing evidence that those who suffer from post traumatic stress replay their traumatic memories through the sensory and imaging storing area of the brain’s right hemisphere (Lanius, R. 2004).There is also increasing neurological evidence suggesting that during trauma, functions of the hippocampus, in the brain’s limbic system, are interfered with, including the use of language and the ability to analyze and store logical and contextual information (Perry, B. 2001; Scar, R.2005;. van der Kolk, 1996). Considerable clinical evidence also suggests that following trauma the brain’s hemispheres may lose their ability to function as a single unit thus interfering with memory and attention and retention of information.

In Taking Flight Trauma Recovery training you learn the value in moving beyond talk-therapy skills. You consistently apply the Four Part Model for Healing Trauma© developed by Dr. Jane Simington, PhD. This model employs strategies to gain the attention of the brain’s right hemisphere, such as therapeutic art and deep trance work, as ways to uncover stored trauma memories and emotions and to bring rapid and effective healing of those emotions and memories. This new contextual information is then immediately transferred across the hemispheres where it is stored as memory. The cross-over technique helps to reintegrate the brain’s hemispheres.

Not only does trauma recondition the brain and nervous system, the effects of trauma are experienced in every aspect of human functioning.

In Taking Flight Trauma Recovery training you acquire knowledge and skills based on theories and methods of psychology, neurology, nursing, sociology, family studies, and cross- cultural approaches to advance your knowledge of trauma and its effects on individuals, families, cultures and societies and to gain skills to facilitate change for traumatized individuals, families and groups.

Every cell in the body receives neurotransmitter messages. Because of this, bodily memories of trauma are retained at the muscular and cellular level (Rothschild, 2000),

In Taking Flight Trauma Recovery training you use neurolinguistic programming, energy transfer healing methods, therapeutic art techniques, deep trance work, and advanced counseling strategies to release stored cellular traumatic memories.

Emotional and mental responses to trauma of hyper-arousal (hyper-vigilance, anxiety and dread) and intrusions from the past into the present (triggers, flashbacks, dissociation, nightmares) can significantly impact behaviors and social relationships, including family and work relationships, often resulting in the traumatized person living an extremely constricted lifestyle (Herman, 1997).

In Taking Flight Trauma Recovery training you apply a variety of centering, grounding and other techniques to establish and maintain safety. You use neurolinguistic and energy transfer- skills to remove flashbacks and nightmares. You do initiated and spontaneous soul retrieval. The person is trying to reclaim by their instinctive need to dissociate back to the tragedy.

The core experience of trauma is disempowerment (Herman, 1997).

In Taking Flight Trauma Recovery training you implement a model of empowerment, designed By Jane A. Simington, PhD based on Carkhuff’s counseling model.

Disempowerment results from a depletion of spiritual energies (Simington, 2003), and has been described since ancient times as soul loss. The resulting sense of incompleteness, a feeling that parts of the self or the soul are missing, is often expressed using language such as “I feel so empty; I feel so broken;”or “I no longer feel whole.”(Simington, 2010). Soul loss is generally accompanied by a sense of being spiritual disconnected and is described as feeling separate and apart from everyone and everything, even from life itself, and with an intense inner pain, a soul pain which is a deep inner knowing that things are not right and a longing to make them so. When there is spiritual disconnection, and like an empty vessel when there is soul loss, a broken human spirit is open to all forms of spiritual intrusion (Kharitidi, 1996; Simington, 2010).

In Taking Flight Trauma Recovery training  you advance knowledge and gain skills using therapeutic art, deep inner  work, imagery, energy work, nature work, movement, drumming and ceremony, in ways to provide soulful healing.

A Different Approach to Healing Trauma

Maslow (1954)                                                           Simington (2000)

 

The Taking Flight Trauma Recovery Certification Training  suspends from a framework which acknowledges that the essence of human beings is spiritual, and that much of the pain experienced following trauma is of a deep spiritual nature. This is true regardless of whether or how the person participates in religious or cultural observations. All healing and education offered in the Taking Flight Trauma Recovery Certification Training suspends from this philosophy and builds upon Jungian and Shamanic thought which indicates that if you want to address the spiritual aspects of human nature you must use soulful experiences. The therapeutic application to trauma work, of therapeutic art, deep inner journey work, imagery, energy work, nature work, movement, drumming and ceremony, are soulful approaches used in the Trauma Recovery Certification Training.

 

Additional Skills Attained During Training

 

Please click here to view additional skills you obtain during Taking Flight’s Trauma Recovery Certification Training

 

Advantages of  Taking Flight Trauma Recovery Training

 

Please click here to view the value of Taking Flight’s Trauma Training over other trauma training options.

Goals

 

1)  The primary goal of the Trauma Recovery Certification Training is that you gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a more holistic way with individuals, groups, families and communities who have experienced trauma.

2)  Since, basic to this training is the belief that a therapeutic helper can bring another only as far along the healing journey, as he or she has already come, a second goal  is the facilitation of personal healing experiences for each student.

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Objectives

The teaching and learning experiences offered in Taking Flight’s Trauma Recovery Certification Training allow you to:

1) Gain up-to-date and relevant knowledge of trauma theories and therapeutic approaches.

2) Increase ability to recognize the biophysical, behavioral, emotional, mental, spiritual, social and cultural responses to a traumatic life event.

3) Gain knowledge and skill in using counseling strategies to alleviate distress symptoms and to empower those who are traumatized.

4) Acquire knowledge and skill in using strategies which gain the attention of the brain’s right hemisphere, including deep trance work, imagery, therapeutic art, dream processing and energy work to alleviate the symptoms of trauma and to  promote gentle and rapid healing.

5) Apply the Four Part Model for Healing Trauma©

6) Become skilled at reintegrating parts of the soul/self that have remained inaccessible since the trauma.

7) Advance personal and professional growth and identify strategies to prevent vicarious trauma .

Develop a trauma recovery practice that allows those who have been traumatized to live a full and productive life.

- Please click here to view a flyer for Taking Flight’s next Trauma Certification Training

- Please click here to check Taking Flight’s Trauma Recovery Certification Training  next training dates

- Please click here to obtain an Application Form (PDF) for Taking Flight’s Trauma Recovery Certification Training.

- Please click here to obtain an Application Form (WORD) for Taking Flight’s Trauma Recovery Certification Training.

 

Conditions for Certification

 

1) Attendance at all sessions

2) Full participation in all activities and discussions

3) Achieving a passing grade (over 80%) on the Take Home Exam

 

Time-frame

 

One hundred sixty (160) hours of education and skill attainment are required for certification. This training is delivered over a 15 day period.  Evening sessions are required.

Training Options

 

 

The Trauma Recovery Certification training consists of two parts. You complete both parts to achieve certification.

• We recommend that you take both Part 1 and Part 2 with the same group.
• If this is not feasible, you may elect to do a split option.
• In a split option, you complete Part 1 and return at some later date to complete Part 2.

 

Please click here to review skills obtained in Part 1 and Part 2 of this training.

 

Please click here to view the Split Option budget

Evaluation Methods

1)  Supervised Practice

2) Comprehensive take-home final exam

 

Upon Certification Graduates May

1) Apply this knowledge and skills to work with individuals, families, groups and communities.

2) If qualified, may transfer this education and training for two graduate level courses toward a master degree in counseling from St. Stephens College, Edmonton, AB.

3)  Receive up to 30 hours of personal therapy towards the personal therapy hours required to complete the Master’s Degree at St. Stephens College.

 

Practicum

A practicum is required if you plan to transfer this training for graduate courses at St. Stephens College, in Edmonton, AB. Once you are registered at St. Stephens we will be happy to arrange to supervise an 80 hour practicum, which is required for you to receive credit for one- half a practicum course at St. Stephens.

 

Training Arrangements

 

1) The Trauma Recovery Certification is offered regularly in the Alberta, Canada area.

2) The Trauma Recovery Certification program is also delivered across Canada and internationally.

3) Should you wish to discuss offering Taking Flight Trauma Recovery Training in your area, please call our office toll free at 1-866-473-6732 to make arrangements.

 

References

 

Carkhuff, R. R. (1987). The Art of Helping (6th ed.). Amherst, MA: Human Resource Development Press.

Herman, J. (1997). Trauma and Recovery: the Aftermath of Violence – From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. Basic Books. New York, pages 155 -213.

Karitidi, O. (1996). Entering the Circle: A Psychiatrist Shares Secrets of Siberian Wisdom. Harper SanFranscisco.

Lanius, R. et al (2004). The nature of traumatic memories: A 4-T fmri functional connectivity analysis. American Journal of Psychiatry, 161:36-44.

Perry, B. (2001). The neurodevelopmental impact of violence in childhood. In D. Schetky & E. Benedek (Eds.) Textbook of Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric press, Inc. (221-238).

Online article http://childtrauma.org.

Rothschild, B. (2000). The Body Remembers: The Psychophysiology of Trauma and Trauma. New York: WW Norton & Company.

Scaer, R. (2005). Trauma Spectrum: Hidden Wounds and Human Resiliency. New York: WW Norton & Company.

Simington, J. (2003) Journey to the Sacred: Mending a Fractured Soul. Edmonton, AB. Taking Flight Books.

Simington, J. (2010) Setting the Captive Free: A Guide to Soulful Change and Transformation. Edmonton, AB. Taking Flight Books.

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- Please click here to view a flyer for Taking Flight’s next Trauma Recovery Certification Training

- Please click here to check Taking Flight’s Trauma Recovery next training dates

- Please click here to obtain an Application Form (PDF) for Taking Flight’s Trauma Recovery Certification Training.

- Please click here to obtain an Application Form (WORD) for Taking Flight’s Trauma Recovery Certification Training.

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For more information on Taking Flight’s training dates and application forms CLICK HERE