Making Sense of Complex Trauma

“The ordinary response to atrocities is to banish them from consciousness. Certain violations of the social compact are too terrible to utter aloud: this is the meaning of the word unspeakable. When the truth is finally recognised, survivors can begin their recovery. But far too often secrecy prevails, and the story of the traumatic event surfaces not as a verbal narrative but as a symptom”.

– Judith Herman

Trauma, and society’s response to it, can create deep wounds in those who survive it. In addition to the flashbacks, hyperarousal and numbing one might experience, repeated interpersonal abuse can leave survivors dealing with a whole host of creative and challenging adaptations to survive in a world that has demonstrated its dangerousness.

This one day workshop explores the many different ways complex trauma can affect survivors, including: flashbacks, vigilance, numbing, emotional regulation, dissociation, identity fragmentation, psychosis, shame, relationship difficulties, eating distress & issues with ‘the body’.

This course is facilitated by Rai Waddingham, an experienced trainer with personal and professional experience of complex trauma and dissociation (see www.behindthelabel.co.uk for more info).

Topics include:

Understanding and recognising complex post-traumatic reactions

Working with hopelessness, guilt and shame

Recognising the things we, as supporters, may do to make matters worse … and navigating our way through difficult situations

Helping survivors make sense of, and manage, their experiences

This course is suitable for anyone who supports survivors of trauma, in a work or personal capacity.

Fees:

• Full price (Statutory/commercial): £120
• Reduced price (Voluntary sector): £90
• Concessions (Unwaged): £10

Special offer:

Once you book a place on this course you are eligible for a discount on our ‘Understanding & Working with Multiplicity’ workshop on 10 Jan. Please see: http://www.mic-multiplicity.eventbrite.co.uk for more info.