Making the Connection: Using Body-based Techniques in the Treatment of Addiction and Trauma

Workshop Description:

Recent research on the treatment of chronically traumatized individuals has awakened practitioners in the mental health and addiction fields to examine the complex interactions between addictive disorders and trauma­ related treatment challenges. Whether the addiction is to substances or is a process addiction like compulsive sexuality, it impacts and alters the brain. The addictive behavior serves as a maladaptive strategy for affect regulation for clients who have limited coping strategies as well as limited abilities to form healthy attachments. In this workshop we will look at addiction as both a brain disease and an attachment disorder and explore the impact of this compensatory survival strategy on the clients ability to self regulate in a safe manner. Principles of stage oriented trauma treatment will be highlighted along with newer body based treatments like Sensorimotor Psychotherapy ™ and trauma sensitive yoga as effective treatment strategies that promote the integrative capacities and empowerment of clients.

Learning Objectives:

• Utilize the DSM 5 diagnostic criteria for addictive disorders and other assessment tools to support the evaluation and treatment planning for clients who present with co-­occurring, trauma­ related disorders.

• Design several somatically ­based experiments to assist clients with affect regulation and boundary setting.-

• Design five creative treatment strategies using trauma sensitive yoga techniques to support individuals in safely regulating arousal level and modulating unpleasant affect.

To Register go to ISSTD:    http://www.isst­d.org