Somatic Approaches to Trauma and PTSD

Catalog description

This course will address recent advances in understanding the effects of trauma on the brain, mind, and body in general and with regard to different types of trauma including complex traumas, attachment trauma and PTSD. Building upon traditional psychotherapeutic techniques and principles, students will learn approaches viewing the body as central in the therapeutic field of awareness, including observational skills, theories, and interventions not usually practiced in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Students will develop a theoretical understanding as well as practical application of treatment modalities and methods with clients demonstrating various forms of abuse and trauma. Students will learn basic theory, skills and practices of Hakomi, mindfulness based somatic psychotherapy and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for the treatment of trauma. Theoretical principles and treatment approaches from both the mental health and body psychotherapy traditions are integrated in these approaches. Major current theorists and practitioners in the field will be studied.