1. Installation Ministry Team Training October 2012
Understanding Trauma
Installation Ministry Team Training
October 2012

2. Definitions Trauma Disorders Distortion
“Trauma is caused by a stressful occurrence that is outside the range of usual human experience, and that would be markedly stressful to anyone” - Peter Levine
Disorders
The effect of trauma that leads to debilitation that significantly hampers a person’s ability to function
Depression, pathological grief, anxiety, avoidance, phobia, PTSD
Distortion
The effect of trauma that has not disabled or hindered a person’s ability to function, yet they are negatively influenced in the way they view and respond to aspects of life
The effects of trauma on our beliefs, emotions, and behaviors that do not significantly hamper one’s ability to function

3. Typology of Trauma
Type A: Not getting what a child needs in the early stages of life
Safe environment, love, nurture, value, community
Type B: Getting what a child does not need in the early developmental stages of life
Physical, emotional, sexual, verbal abuse
Type C: Event-based trauma
Involved in or witness death, carnage, accident, etc.
Type D: Betrayal trauma
Personal or institution you should trust breaks your trust
Type E: Sustained duress
Persistent exposure to potential harm over time

4. Self-soothing Behaviors
From Root to Surface
Trauma
Self-soothing Behaviors
Trauma
Emotional Pain
Distortions
Trauma
Disorders
Observable
May not observe

5. Disorders (Self-Soothing / Dysfunctional Behaviors)
Drug / Alcohol Abuse
Violent / aggressive actions
Over / under eating
Video games / internet / TV
Exercise
Work-a-holism
Sexual ‘addictions’
Shopping / over spending / debt
Gambling
Adrenaline-junkie activities
Isolation / withdraw
ANY BEHAVIOR CAN BE
A ‘DRUG’ OR AVOIDANCE MECHANISM

6. How Trauma Affects Our Being
body
feeling
mind
spirit
relations
job

7. Bad News Time alone does not heal trauma
Avoiding trauma does not heal it
Trauma compounds and resonates
Self-soothing often creates more trauma
Trauma can not be healed alone
You will never forget trauma

8. Good News Trauma can be healed
Effects of trauma can be diminished and relieved
There is a process to heal (not just cope with) trauma
A holistic approach is the fastest way to heal trauma
There are professionals who can help
You will not forget, but the pain and discomfort can be healed

9. Variables in Processing Trauma
Developmental stage
Temperament
Previous wounding or stressful experiences
Context of the event
How it was handled by others
Meaning attached to the event

10. Memory and Trauma Informational memory (Semantic)
Pattern Memory (Procedural)
Episodic Memory (Events)
Images, Feelings, Actions, Senses, Meaning
Episodic Memory trumps informational, pattern, and other episodic memories
Trauma is stored in the ‘right-brain’, it is an episodic memory
Healing trauma must include right-brain functions

11. Healing Trauma Structure Patience Safe Place
Good diet, exercise, hydration, sleep
Calming environment
Professional help for each dimension of our being
Community of acceptance and support
Spiritual Resources
A New Episodic Memory that trumps the trauma
Help from someone who cares

12. Leadership
Soldiers are not necessarily responsible for their trauma; they are responsible for engaging, treating, and healing trauma
Trauma and its effects, including PTSD, is not an excuse for behaviors, but it can explain it
Listening and seeking to understand those affected by trauma is the first and best course of action for a leader
Judgments, marginalizing, and assumptions will destroy your Soldier and undermine your ability to lead others

13. Leadership
Know the difference between weakness and wounds; trauma is always a wound issue
Know your Soldiers: history, family, life context
Recognize symptoms point to deeper wounds (root causes)
Give compassion for the wound; treat the wound (80%)
Correct dysfunctional behaviors (symptoms)(20%)

14. Leadership
Realize the Soldier may not understand what is happening let alone how to deal with it; that’s where you come in
Provide direction and motivation for the healing process
Get involved; initiate contact with your Soldier
Encourage accountable self-referrals when possible
Know healing is a process; it takes time and work

15. Leader Resources Unit Chaplains CPE/Hospital Chaplain
/6661 (Hospital); (WTB)
Family Life Chaplain
Emergency After-hours On-Call Duty Chaplain (thru IOC)
Psychologist- Behavioral Talk-therapy
(Division); (all other Soldiers)
Physician / Psychiatrist- right medications
TMC appt
Military One Source Counseling
Fraser Center
(via Tricare referral or out of pocket)
Military Family Life Consultants
Civilian Minister (trained and experienced in healing trauma)