Workshop Description:
Trauma informed therapists understand the connection between childhood abuse, and the neglect, and the parent-child attachment styles that emerge from these dysfunctional family systems. We will explore the impact of ambivalent, avoidant, and disorganized attachment, and how it creates a relational template that is reenacted by clients in their subsequent intimate relationships. We will connect early attachment experiences to hypo-arousal and hyper-arousal. Participants will learn how affect dysregulation and unresolved trauma impairs a couple's ability to communicate effectively, regulate emotional states, and hijacks their sexual intimacy. Participants will learn about the "optimal window of arousal" and what happens for couples when they get triggered and are unable to stay present with one another.
Since healthy attachment and connection is biologically rooted in somatic experiences, we will process somatic resourcing as a form of affect regulation, comfort, and containment. Breath work, hand-in-hand meditation, and a variety of simple techniques that incorporate, postures and soothing movements will help clients to reground and increase awareness of the body as a resource for comfort. These exercises offer reparative experiences of safety and connection while strengthening clients' abilities to self regulate and co-regulate, communicate their needs and appropriately comfort themselves and their partner. We will also address the triggering and dissociation that occurs for sexual abuse survivors when they attempt to be intimate. These strategies will increase clients' access to their own inner wisdom and healing powers, while helping therapists to feel more confident about moving forward with emotionally charged material in sessions.
Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the four attachment patterns in the parent child relationship and describe the manifestations of disorganized attachment.
2. Explain why the meaning of a traumatic event is as important as the event itself, and the impact it has on a couple's relationship.
3. Discuss the difference between inter regulation and auto and how they are connected to attachment.
4. Discuss the concept of the "optimal window of arousal" and the impact it has on couples therapy.
5. Explain the connection between trauma, a lack of secure attachment, and affect dysregulation.
6. Demonstrate at least two breathing techniques and one meditation, to increase grounding and self soothing.
7. Utilize at least four somatic resourcing techniques to enhance containment, safety, and comfort.
8. Describe and implement at least three strategies to help sexual abuse survivors navigate the challenges that arise during physical intimacy.