Terry Levy – Trauma & Attachment: Effective Treatment Strategies for Helping Challenging Clients

Outline

Part I: Assessment

• Symptoms of trauma
• Symptoms of attachment disorder
• Traumatized brain and biochemistry
• Core beliefs and expectations
• 4 attachment styles
• Life script: Psychosocial history and relationship patterns

Part II: Treatment Interventions Structure of the Healing Process

• 30-hour Intensive Outpatient Psychotherapy model
• 3-step treatment process: revisit, revise, revitalize
• Integrative approach: mind-body-spirit

Experiential and Skill-Based Interventions Shown through Video Demos

• Facilitate emotional and neurobiological connections
• Foster trust and secure attachments
• Heal interpersonal trauma to self-acceptance
• Confront traumatic events: move from victim to survivor
• Change negative beliefs and narratives
• Resolve anger, fear, shame and loss
• Exposure Therapy to alleviate trauma and PTSD symptoms
• Forgiveness to let go and move on

Posttraumatic Growth: Recovery and Resilience

• Positive psychology
• Instill optimism and hope
• Gratitude and positive emotions
• A sense of meaning and purpose
• Use signature strengths
• Enhance relationships and social support
• Self-esteem and self-efficacy
• Volunteering and giving

Improving Relationships

• Strengthen the hardwired need for a safe emotional bond
• Change attachment patterns: withdraw-cling, blame-distance, criticize-defend
• Attachment Communication Training: Constructive communication, problem-solving and conflict-management skills
• Limbic resonance and fulfillment of attachment needs

Therapeutic Goals

• Develop positive core beliefs
• Resolve loss and grief
• Promote safe and secure attachments
• Alleviate anxiety, depression, shame, and “victim mindset”
• Reduce biochemistry of trauma
• Stress management skills
• Constructive parenting skills
• Supportive and fulfilling family relationships
• Mitigate defensiveness, enhance motivation and cooperation