Trauma and the Overachiever Victim: Utilizing Group to Revise Brain Patterns that Hamper Intimacy and Connections

Chairs:

Cara S. Beames, M.A., Private Practice, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Noel R. Larson, M.S.W., Ph.D., Owner and Chief Psychologist, Meta Resources, P.A., St. Paul, Minnesota
 

Trauma associated with childhood abuse/neglect leaves indelible patterns in the brains of victims and tends to organize broadly into three different relatively stable forms: hyperaroused, dissociated and encapsulated. This workshop will describe and demonstrate group therapy with one of the more difficult patterns to treat encapsulated trauma internal to powerful women.

demonstration-didactic-experiential-sharing of work experiences

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:
1. Distinguish between hyperaroused, dissociated and encapsulated clients.

2. Structure a group format that is effective with highly successful women who have encapsulated their experience of trauma and report, "I am over it... it doesn't bother me anymore."

3. Formulate interventions that are effective and do not trigger PTSD reactions or major resistance.

4. Integrate individual and couple therapy with women who are "rescuers" or "victims" at home and highly competent "shakers and movers" in their professional lives.

Course References:  

1. Callahan, Price & Hilsenroth (2004). A Review of Interpersonal Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy Outcomes for Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 54, 491-518.

2. Cozolino (2002). The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy. New York: Norton.

3. Cozolino (2002). The Neuroscience of Human Relationships. New York: Norton.

4. Klein & Shermer (2000). Group Psychotherapy for Psychological Trauma. New York: Guilford Press.

5. Knight (2006). Groups for Individuals with Traumatic Histories: Practice Considerations for Social Workers. Social Work, 51, 20-30.

6. Lewis, Amini and Lannon (2000). A General Theory of Love.

7. Maddock & Larson (1995). Incestuous families: An ecological approach to understanding and treatment. New York: Norton.