TRAUMA-REDUCTION INTERVENTIONS FOR ADOLESCENTS REV. TORIN T. SANDERS, Ph.D., LCSW-BACS www.torinsanders.com

OBJECTIVES: To increase participants’ repertoire of intervention strategies in working with traumatized adolescents. To increase participants’ awareness of how to transform their school climates into trauma- informed places of learning.

MY EXPERIENCES: STARTED AT KINGSLEY HOUSE AS A FAMILY PRESERVATION THERAPIST BEGAN PROJECT LAST (LOSS & SURVIVAL TEAM) AT CHILDREN’S BUREAU OF NEW ORLEANS PASTOR, THE SIXTH BAPTIST CHURCH

A BRIEF LOOK AT THE DATA ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES STUDY (1998) 87% HAD MORE THAN 1 ACE

A BRIEF LOOK AT THE DATA INSTITUTE OF WOMEN & ETHNIC STUDIES (2015) New Orleans Youth Symptoms of PTSD at 3x National average (14.6%) 37% witnessed DV 54% experienced murder of someone close 39% witnessed shooting, stabbing, beating

TRAUMATIC STRESS TOXIC STRESS POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER ACUTE STRESS DISORDER (less than 30 days)

CATEGORIES OF SYMPTOMS Intrusive symptoms (memories, dreams, flashbacks) Avoidance of stimuli Negative alterations in cognition or mood Marked alterations in arousal or reactivity (sleep, startle response) DSM-5

FACTORS AFFECTING TREATMENT/INTERVENTION SUCCESS AGE (DEVELOPMENTAL STATUS) EXPOSURE HISTORY FREQUENCY (1X OR ONGOING) STATUS (SURVIVOR, VICTIM, WITNESS, PERP) TIME BEFORE TREATMENT

GOAL(S) OF INTERVENTION TRAUMA REDUCTION (SYMPTOM REMOVAL) PROMOTING RESILIENCY & POST TRAUMATIC GROWTH (the development of positive outcomes related to the struggle to cope with difficult life events) Tedeschi & Calhoun,1996

THEORIES………..TECHNIQUES COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THEORY (Aaron Beck) Thought restructuring CRISIS THEORY (Gerald Caplan) Partializing, Venting, Safety, Immediate plan

THEORIES………..TECHNIQUES EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION & REPROCESSING (Francine Shapiro) Emdr.com, 8 phases, alleviate distress associated with traumatic memories

THEORIES………..TECHNIQUES POLYVAGAL THEORY (Stephen Porges) Vagus nerve (associated with calming aspect of our nervous system) Associated with Mindfulness-Based Theory -Massage vagus nerve (side of neck to behind earlobes) -Breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, wait 4) Play/exercise (running in place, punching pillows)

INTERVENTION APPROACHES/STRATEGIES Provide trauma education Separate Grief from Trauma (if applicable) Respond to physical symptoms Prevent secondary victimization Tolerate regressive symptoms Find concrete things to do promote expression of feelings and a sense of self-efficacy (i.e.Parkland)

INTERVENTION APPROACHES/STRATEGIES QUESTIONS TO ASK: How has (the trauma) changed your priorities? What has (the trauma) made you think about the value of your life? How has (the trauma) affected your views about God?

INTERVENTION APPROACHES/STRATEGIES Has (the trauma) made you closer with anyone? What has (the trauma) taught you about handling hard times? What makes you feel safe(r)?

TRAUMA-INFORMED SCHOOL CLIMATE REALIZE (the widespread impact of trauma) RECOGNIZE (signs and symptoms in clients, staff, and others) RESPOND (integrate knowledge about trauma into policy and practice) RESIST RE-TRAUMATIZATION (“what did you do wrong vs tell me what happened”) (SAMHSA, 2014)

TRAUMA-INFORMED SCHOOL CLIMATE EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF UNIVERSAL SCREENING FOR TRAUMA WITHIN THE SCHOOL SETTING (IMMUNIZATION CARD) ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES) RESILIENCE SCORE

TRAUMA-INFORMED SCHOOL CLIMATE TRAINING OF TEACHERS & PRINCIPALS ON TRAUMA TRAINING OF PARENTS/FAMILY MEMBERS HOW IS OUR SCHOOL RETRAUMATIZING CHILDREN?

Questions & Answers THANK YOU WWW.TORINSANDERS.COM DRTSANDERS@TORINSANDERS.COM 504-579-4499