The fundamental differences between traumatic memories and “normal” or autobiographical narrative memories call for new approaches that resolve the past. Dissociated elements of traumatic memories are inaccessible to verbal recall, yet the memory fragments may still intrude, unaltered by the course of time and often terrifying our clients.  In this workshop, we will explore the nature of traumatic memory and teach interventions to facilitate a safe gradual exposure to the procedural and emotional components of the memory.  We will look in detail at videotaped excerpts of work with clients' traumatic memories to demonstrate how sensorimotor interventions stimulate empowering actions, emotions and cognitions to resolve the traumatic past.

TOPICS WE WILL COVER INCLUDE:

1. Why “talking about” may not be the best way to work with traumatic memory.
2. The nature of traumatic memory
3. Resolving somatic symptoms of unresolved trauma
4. The importance of directing mindfulness in working with traumatic memory
5. “Acts of triumph” and why they are crucial in treating traumatic memory.
6. Working with the "window of tolerance" to expand affect tolerance and resolve traumatic memory