Trauma in Counselling and Psychotherapy – A Workshop in Stockport

Trauma in counselling and psychotherapy – 21st June 2013

Trauma in counselling and psychotherapy is a deeply challenging issue; yet it is poorly understood, and the literature is patchy and inconsistent. It challenges us theoretically, ethically and therapeutically to understand and work with it effectively; and to avoid doing harm. It is so deeply challenging because we need to view it widely, and take account of perspectives that are outside our theoretical frame. In working with trauma, it is necessary to think about biology, neuro-science and evolutionary psychology – as well as other more familiar ideas. The workshop approaches the subject from the point of view of practitioners who are striving to incorporate an understanding of the subject into their practice.

Within the participative framework of the workshop we will argue that all counsellors and psychotherapists work with the after effects of trauma, even if they avoid clients with a diagnosis of PTSD; or symptoms of post traumatic stress.  The condition becomes somatised and symbolised in complex ways that are not always obvious in the presentation of the client or the issues that they bring.  We will also argue that a direct approach is not always appropriate, because of: retraumatisation; the triggering of avoidant patterns of thinking; and the strengthening of already intractable defences.  We believe that less direct approaches are often more effective and less likely to cause harm.

The workshop will cover:

  • Medical definition of trauma, post-traumatic stress and post traumatic stress disorder
  • NICE guidelines on the treatment of PTSD
  • Wider understandings of trauma
  • Working with trauma in different theoretical perspectives (person-centered, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural) and touching on EMDR
  • Resolution of traumatic memories using metaphor and ‘clean language’

It will appeal to all counsellors and psychotherapists; students of these disciplines; and other caring professionals who work with traumatised clients or patients.

The morning focuses on various different perspectives on trauma and approaches to working with it.  In the afternoon, there will be a session on the resolution or traumatic memories using metaphor and ‘clean language’. This is an approach originally developed by the clinical psychologist David Grove that can be particularly effective in cases where it is difficult, impossible or counterproductive to talk directly about the trauma.

The workshop is lead by Jonathan Lloyd and George Macdonald, who run Mindsite. We hope that it exemplifies the type of CPD and training that Mindsite was set up to promote – relevant, challenging and, we hope, inspirational.

We looked for some relevant thought starters on working with trauma. Firstly here is a reminder of the biological basis of PTSD and some insights from neuro-science.

Next a conventional view of the treatment of the after effects of trauma with psychotherapy. (How comfortable are you with this approach?)

Finally a quick look at the use of EMDR.  We will not cover EMDR in the workshop but it provides another insight into the embodied nature of trauma.

Participants will gain:

  • increased understanding of the nature of trauma
  • greater confidence in working with various forms of trauma
  • the opportunity to discuss issues and ask questions relating to this crucial topic

The presenters

Picture of JonathanJonathan Lloyd is an NCS accredited counsellor and ahypnotherapist who runs a busy private practice in Bramhall (see www.calmminds.com). He has a diploma in counselling and hypnotherapy and an MA in counselling (The University of Manchester). He will shortly complete a Doctorate in Counselling researching the use of metaphor in therapy. He lectures in counselling at Stockport college and hypnotherapy at Tameside General Hospital. Jonathan has an interest in many different models of counselling and psychotherapy; and has specific interests in ASD, metaphor, stress and the integration of hypnosis and counselling.
Trauma in counselling and psychotherapyGeorge MacDonald is a BACP accredited counsellor and psychotherapist, who works in private practice and volunteers with a number of agencies. He has a diploma in counselling and an MSc in Psychology and counselling. His experience was gained in a variety of settings, including primary and tertiary care in the NHS. Although his initial training and most of his current practice is integrative, he has strong psychoanalytic foundations. He has trained in group psychotherapy and is studying for the Institute of Group Analysis Diploma in Groupwork Practice. He is currently completing the Professional Doctorate in counselling at the University of Manchester, where his research topic is ‘Culture as a positive resource in therapy’.

The cost is £75 per delegate (£65 for students).  For registrations made before 19th April (subject to limited availability), there will be an ‘early bird’ rate of £65.

To download flyer click here

The event, which includes lunch, will be held in the comfortable, relaxed environment of the Sapphire Suite at Cheshire Conferences and Events at Edgeley Park Stadium, Stockport.

6 hours CPD. A signed certificate of attendance will be provided.

To attend – email events@mindsite.co.uk , call Jonathan at 0161 439 7773, or press the button below to register with confidence through Eventbrite. You can pay by Paypal. card or cheque. Or we can invoice you or your organisation.

Eventbrite - Trauma in Counselling and Psychotherapy

To view our cancellation policy click here.

Recommended references:

Baradon T. (2010) Relational Trauma in Infancy: Psyhoanalysic, Attachment and Neuropsychological Contributions to Parent-Infant Psychotherapy. London: Routledge.

Battino R. (2002) Metaphoria: Metaphor and Guided Metaphor for Psychotherapy and Healing. Carmarthen: Crown House Publishing.

Christopher M. (2004) ‘A Broader View of Trauma: A Biopsychosocial-Evolutionary View of the Role of the Traumatic Stress Response in the Emergence of Pathology and/or Growth’, Clinical Psychology Review 24(1): 75-98.

Cohen J.A., Mannarino A.P. and Deblinger E. (2012) Trauma Focused CBT for Children and Adolescents. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Foa E.B., Keane T.M., Friedman M.J., et al. (2009) Effective Treatments for PTSD: Practical Guidelines from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. 2nd ed. New Yorg, NY: Guilford Press.

Grove D.J. and Panzer, B.I. (1991) Resolving Traumatic Memories: Mataphors and Symbols in Psychotherapy. New York, NY: Irvington Publishers.

Herman J. (1997) Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence – from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. New York, NY: Basic Books.

Hopper E. (ed.) (2012) Trauma in Organisations. London: Karnac.

Levine, P.A. and Frederick, A. (1997) Waking the Tiger; Healing Trauma: The Innate Capacity to Transform Overwhelming Experiences. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

Luckhurst, R. (2008) The Trauma Question. London: Routledge.

Resnick, P.A. and Schnicke, M.K. (1996) Cognitive Processing Therapy for Rape Victims: A Treatment Manual. London: Sage.

Rothschild B. (2000) The Body Remembers: The Psychophysiology of Trauma and Trauma Treatment. New York, NY: Norton.

Schauer M., Neuner F. and Elbert T. (2011) Narrative Exposure Therapy: A Short-Term Treatment for Traumatic Stress Disorders. Cambridge, MA: Hogrefe.

Stolorow R. (2007) Trauma and Human Existence: Autobiographical, Psychoanalytic, and Philosophical Reflections. Hove: The Analytic Press.

Turnbull G. (2011) Trauma. London: Bantam.

Turner A. (2012) ‘Person-Centred Approaches to Trauma, Critical Incidents and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder’, in: J. Tolan and P. Wilkins (eds) Client Issues in Counselling and Psychotherapy, pp. London: Sage.

Taylor S. (2006) Clinician’s Guide to PTSD: A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Wilson, J.P. and Lindy, J.D. (2013) Trauma, Culture, and Metaphor: Pathways of Transformation and Integration. Hove: Routledge.