65th Annual Conference

Thursday, February 21

Early Bird Open Sessions

7:15-8:15 A.M.

Session 205

Re-Empowerment from Ancestral PTSD: Wisdom Traditions in Group Therapy

Chair:

Hillel Swiller, M.D., FAGPA, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 

Presenters:         

Suzan A. M. McVicker, MA, Psychotherapist ,Madison, Wisconsin
Teresa Ortiz, M.S.W., LCSW, Clinical Director, Trillium Care Group, Elm Grove, Wisconsin
 

Re-empowerment forms the social and cultural aspects of trauma recovery. We will honor Native American wisdom traditions appearing in group therapy that are rarely recognized as such. By cultivating "compassionate witness" participants will integrate indigenous teachings with IFS therapy--providing effective ways to resolve the impact of intergenerationally transmitted PTSD.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Track ways that intergenerational transmission of trauma impacts group members.
2. Define basic terms of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model.
3. List multicultural Native American wisdom traditions which are applicable in contemporary groups for resolution of intergenerational trauma.
4. Identify ways groups can integrate Native American wisdom traditions with the Internal Family Systems model of trauma resolution.
 

Course References:

1. Coyhis, Don L. and White, William L. (2006). Alcohol Problems in Native America: The Untold Story of Resistance and Recovery -- "The Truth About the Lie". Colorado Springs: White Bison, Inc.
2. Riley, Patricia. (1993). Growing Up Native American: An Anthology. New York: Avon Books.
3. Schwartz, Richard C. The Internal Family Systems Model. (www.selfleadership.org)