Treating Self-Destructive Behaviors in Trauma Survivors

Part I: It Makes Sense Given where They’ve Come from. Towards a New Understanding of Self-destructive Behaviors. Working with Trauma Survivors: The Strengths-Based Approach. The Role of Attachment. The Inherent Struggles of Adolescence. The Meta-communication of Eating Disorders, Addictions, and Self-mutilation. Part II: Understanding and Working with Self-Destructive Behaviors. The Cycle of Self-Harm. The Triggering Event and the Loop of Negativity. Unbearable Anxiety and the Frozen Loop. Self-Injury, Positive Outcomes, Negative Outcomes, and Emotional Vulnerability. Treatment: Identifying Intervention Sites and Working with the Triggering Event. Working with the Cycle: The Loop of Negativity. Working with the Cycle: Unbearable Anxiety and the Frozen Loop. Working with the Cycle: Self-Injury and CARESS. Working with the Cycle: Positive Outcomes, Negative Outcomes, and Emotional Vulnerability. Part III: Helping Others While Taking Care of Ourselves. Focusing on Us. Creating a Sense of Internal and External Safety. Assessing Your Agenda. Being Clear About Your Control Issues. Holding Appropriate Boundaries. Understanding Your Triggers. Acknowledging Your Vulnerabilities. Pacing the Sessions. Debriefing After Difficult Sessions. Understanding the Correlation Between Family-of-origin and Workplace Dynamics. Striving for Balance in Your Life. Giving Yourself Permission to Get Supervision or Refer Out. Practicing What You Preach. Strengthening Your Work.