Intermediate Level: The Neurobiology of Stress and Trauma Transformation: Improving Outcomes for Mental Health Providers Working with Youth and Their Families

Friday, September 6, 2019

In the past decade, professionals have made substantial gains in supporting youth and families exposed to chronic trauma.By integrating research and innovative practice skills from multiple disciplines, our understanding of the impact of stress has led to improved outcomes.When caregiver and professionals are specifically taught about the impact of stress the result is often a profound shift in empathy, self-agency, and deliberate action.In this workshop, we will examine models for understanding the neurobiology of stress, and how it impacts engagement, relationship building, discipline, self-care and the healing process. This workshop will also focus on the transformative quality of metaphors in the treatment of trauma. We will examine ways we can use resilience factors, empathy and compassionate care to provide excellent services to our clients while improving relationships within our workforce.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the core concepts associated with the neurobiology of stress;
2. Recognize the value of “the compass and not roadmap” view of treatment and trauma recovery;
3. Analyze the critical role of metaphors as a central guideline to trauma transformation;
4. Identify stress states and the attendant clinical strategies to reduce them.

Research:

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) (https://www.nctsn.org/) includes academic resources regarding child trauma and the developing brain. The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (https://developingchild.harvard.edu/) conducts research on the developing brain and stress and trauma. Google Scholar offers a selection of research on NMT: http://bit.ly/2DF2NXf.

Content level: Intermediate

Target Audience: social workers, mental health therapists, and other clinicians providing mental health services to children, youth, and families who meet the NYS OMH training grant eligibility criteria.

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-ebp@buffalo.edu  or by phone at 716-829-5843.

Customer Service:  We are happy to respond to any concerns or questions you may have. Please contact us at by email at sw-epb@buffalo.edu  or by phone at 716-829-5843.