Dr. Daniel Mitchell – Adverse Experiences: A Structured Approach for More Effective Assessment, Treatment Planning and Interventions for Trauma Based on the ACEs Study

Outline

The Impact of Adverse Experiences on Development

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study correlation with mental illness and chronic pain
• Traumatic material can create developmental gaps
• Adverse experiences and trauma

A Timeline Approach for Better Assessment

• Uncover adverse experiences not identified in standard assessment
• Adaptive Experiences – Strengths and positive moments
• Maladaptive Experiences – Adverse and traumatic material
• Distinguish and separate memories that have BOTH positive and negative aspects

Breaking Down Memories and Experiences To Help Clients Heal

• Distinguishing images, body sensations, emotions and thoughts
• Identify dominate core beliefs using my concept of “cognitive buckets”
• Reshape their core beliefs in more adaptive ways

Effective Coping Resources for Clients

• Easily track intensity of distress from moment to moment
• Quick, easy and effective coping strategies
• Tie in coping skills to behavioral rehearsal

Facilitate Breakthroughs with Challenging Cases

• Overcome cognitive barriers that might inadvertently keep patients “stuck in therapy”
• Work through secondary gain issues
• Help patients become ready for new therapies

Integrate this Approach with Other Treatment Modalities

• How to effectively incorporate with:
  • CBT
  • CPT
  • EMDR
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Play Therapy
  • Art Therapy
  • Solution-Focused Therapy
  • Person-Centered Therapy
  • ACT