- Theoretical material includes: psychology of stress and trauma – including the role of dissociation; physiology of stress and trauma – including how brain and nervous system communicate during and following traumatic events;

- Defining types of trauma clients; “putting on the brakes” for containment, and safety, and regulating hyperarousal.

- Experience with basic body awareness, muscle toning, boundaries, and the use of resources will provide the basis for direct practice during the remainder of the training.

- Development and identification of client resources, skills and strategies for stabilisation

PHASE TWO: TRANSITION TO PROCESSING AND INSIGHT
- Theory and technique of therapeutic treatment will be the focus of this workshop.

- Both cognitive and somatic sides of transference and countertransference will be explored.

- Memory theory will be presented as it applies to traumatic memory.

- In groups of three, participants will begin practicing Peter Irvine’s SIBAM dissociation model as a multifaceted tool that can be used to enhance resolution of trauma.

- Participants will also be encouraged to use the theory they have learned to develop their own techniques.

PHASE THREE: PROCESSING AND INSIGHT WORK
- Integration of both theoretical and practical material from all three workshops will be the focus, reinforcing the bridge between theory and practice.Issues involved when trauma therapy is the sole aim of treatment, as well as when it is a part of long-term psychotherapy, will be addressed.
- The BODYnamic ‘running technique’ will be introduced as an imaginal, mind/body integrative procedure for reawakening the flight reflex and reducing hyperarousal.
- Participants will be supervised in making relevant choices of techniques both during role-plays and during client consultation.