Stabilisation techniques in preparation for trauma focused interventions with refugees

A phased model of treatment is recommended for the treatment of people who have experienced repeated and multiple traumas and who may still be facing ongoing stress and threat. Establishing a sense of safety and stability is the first stage of treatment before any exposure work can begin. This can be particularly challenging when treating refugees with complex PTSD presentations. This interactive workshop will explore treatment approaches to establishing a sense of safety and stability in preparation for trauma focused therapy. Case examples of torture survivors, victims of trafficking and domestic abuse will be presented to illustrate some of the difficulties in this stage of treatment and interventions.
The workshop will promote an understanding of: •Complex PTSD presentations in refugees and asylum seekers •Stabilisation and symptom management in preparation for trauma focused interventions •Managing dissociative flashbacks, dissociative seizures and sensory/physical flashbacks •Cognitive techniques for managing shame, guilt and self blame which may be barriers to exposure work •How best to work with trauma memories and when to use NET, CBT or EMDR •Cultural considerations •Managing vicarious traumatisation and self care

Conference

English

H. Kayal

Kayal, H. (2013, June). Stabilisation techniques in preparation for trauma focused interventions with refugees. Presentation at the 13th annual conference for the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS), Bologna, Italy