Recorded webinar.

Psychiatrists discovered the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in time for the 1980 publication of the DSM- III and one criteria was that a person had to have experienced a horrific event beyond the scope of normalcy. If that's the case, why are we (mental and medical health professionals) flocking to trainings that teach us a bout trauma and trauma treatments? This seminar will examine how we naturally digest experiences (Adaptive Information Processing), factors that help determine whether we will successfully process an experience or whether it will get "stuck" and the symptoms and behaviors that can result from experiencing something in a traumatic way. We will take a brief and beginning look at factors such as the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, Epigenetics, our brain chemicals and Polyvagal Theory. Once trauma is understood it is important to examine what mechanisms of effect are needed to create healing. We will look at a current research supported theory called Memory Reconsolidation, that describes how we access, challenge and consolidate maladaptively stored information in an adaptive way. We will analyze how this works and why it's needed for healing. We will then explore some current trauma treatment options including EMDR, CBT, and Progressive counting. Unique tools and techniques based on these evidence-based and promising practice treatments will be shared. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain how we digest experiences (Adaptive Information Processing) and the role of brain chemicals
2. List at least 5 circumstances that predict whether we will digest an experience successfully or not
3. Distinguish between the role of Sympathetic, Parasympathetic and Vagus Nervous Systems (Polyvagal Theory) in the reaction to a stimulus
4. Discover the Memory Reconsolidation Theory
5. Examine some of the current trauma treatments

Research:  The American Psychological Association maintains a database on publications about trauma. The Center for Disease Control provides through information on the ACEs Study. Google Scholar provides links to the research on the Polyvagal Theory, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Progressive Counting.

Target Audience: social workers, mental health practitioners, creative arts therapists, marriage and facility therapists, psychologists, addiction professionals, case managers, and other interested individuals.

ADA Accommodations: If you require any support for your ADA needs in the United States, please contact us by email at least 3 weeks prior to the event by email at sw-ce@buffalo.edu or by phone at 716-829-5841.

Customer Service: We are happy to respond to any concerns or questions you may have. Please contact us at by email at sw-ce@buffalo.edu or by phone at 716-829-5841.