This unit will provide students with the Process Oriented approach to working with trauma and abuse.

This unit will provide students with the Process Oriented approach to working with trauma and abuse. The unit presents contemporary trauma theories, including Attachment theory; psychological disorders that may develop in the aftermath of traumatic events; recent neuroscience research on how trauma affects the brain, and non-verbal somatic and experiential interventions.

Students will develop knowledge and skills in working with the body and somatic awareness, the Metacommunicator, signal reading skills and the sensitive use of feedback to ensure that edges are negotiated with gentleness and awareness. The holistic understanding of the human being developed by students in the Masters course to date will be applied in analysing case studies and client presentations for trauma and abuse. An energetic and contextual understanding will be discussed in class and in case studies. Some specific diagnostic categories according to the DSM-5 will also be covered. Links will be made with attachment theory where appropriate.

Students’ own issues are usually a part of the experiential learning at Metavision. Issues of trauma and abuse can be easily triggered. Self-awareness of students’ own vulnerabilities is developed with professional support from their own inner work with counsellors or psychotherapists. It is vital in this work to safeguard both students and clients. Inner work and self-reflection continue to be an integral part of the unit.