Sensory Grounding Skills: Practical Tips for Survivors in Crisis WOMEN AND GENDER ADVOCACY CENTER COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

Transcription

1 Sensory Grounding Skills: Practical Tips for Survivors in Crisis WOMEN AND GENDER ADVOCACY CENTER COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

2 Framing the Issue Interpersonal violence objectifies survivors. Abusers work to change people from SUBJECTS (people who can act, make choices, experience reasonable consequences, reflect and act again into OBJECTS (things that do not act, but are only acted upon.) SURVIVING is all of the ways that people resist this objectification. Some ways are small, some are large; some are lovely, some are ugly. People engaging in this process of survival are SURVIVORS. Connie Burk and the NW Network of Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian and Gay Survivors of Abuse

3 Re-Experiencing Symptoms Intrusive, vivid images, sensations are present. Can exist in all 5 senses. Usually incredibly distressing, person may be unable to think of other things Sense of re-living event through illusions, hallucinations, flashbacks, nightmares May temporarily lose touch w/ reality, enter a dissociative state and feel as if they are reliving the trauma Triggers internal or external reminder cues can initiate re-experiencing symptoms

4 Dissociation: A Continuum Autopilot DID Mild: e.g., Autopilot - Remain functional mind unconsciously performs one task (e.g., driving) while engrossed in other thoughts Moderate: e.g., Flashback of trauma but return to reality with a touch on the shoulder usu. w/ exaggerated startle response. Severe: e.g., Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) where separate and distinct personality states carry out different functions of daily living and trauma processing

5 The Role of the Advocate Provide emotional support Help the survivor regain control Help identify the survivor s own needs and preferred outcomes Discover strengths! Provide information about the system Help explore all options and possible consequences Source: SACASA Volunteer Training Manual

6 Role of the Advocate Cont Assist survivor in developing strategies and formulating clear requests for action Honor confidentiality. Explain its limits to survivors. REMEMBER, THE ROLE OF THE ADVOCATE IS TO EMPOWER AND GIVE CONTROL BACK TO THE SURVIVOR Source: SACASA Volunteer Training Manual

7 Types of Grounding Skills For trauma, the goals of coping skills is to help manage the symptoms to the point of minimal disruption in daily functioning. Three types of PTSD coping skills: 1. Comfort Techniques Help feel better during triggers 2. Distracting Techniques Manage triggers and return to a normal routine as soon as possible 3. Grounding techniques Assist a person in staying in or returning to reality

8 PTSD Coping Skills & Intervention Initial intervention: Help person ground using sensory changes When person is grounded and calm (or other time they are not in crisis), brainstorm both types of techniques. Make 2 lists one for comfort, and one for distracting Make multiple copies of both lists. Keep them visible and available in someone s purse or wallet, taped to the bathroom mirror, in the nightstand drawer Make a grounding basket so all tools are in one place Identify grounding objects that can stay with the person at all times

9 Sensory Techniques Involve helping the person ground in reality using the 5 senses. Change the sensory input in any of the senses can reboot brain and stop re-experiencing Focus on the present (not the trauma) If 1 sense if ineffective, try another

10 Sensory Techniques: 5 Senses 1. Sight What do you see in the room? 2. Taste Suck on candy, drink something cold or hot, eat something sweet or sour, suck on ice, gum 3. Touch Varying textures, such as beads, chain, blanket, corduroy clothes, pets (can actually calm and lower anxiety), a safe person w/ permission

11 Sensory Techniques: 5 Senses 4. Smell Flowers, aromatherapy, sharp smells (certain foods), laundry detergent, candles, lotions, bubble bath (added bonus of touch) 5. Hear Safe person s voice, music, loud noise, car horn, whistle, dog bark

12 Comfort vs. Distracting Techniques Comfort techniques are for use when client is safe and able to nurture self Distracting techniques are for times when clients need to put away the trigger For all grounding techniques: Identify with client and write them down Always assess safety of each technique for individual client (e.g., baths or candles are triggering for some)

13 Comfort Techniques Listen to music Curl under a blanket Cuddle with pet Take a bath Light candles or incense Use art, collaging, journaling, other creative outlets Call a support person and talk about what is happening Engage in spiritual practice Engage in safe comfort rituals from childhood Drink hot tea, chocolate Rock in rocking chair Cry Hug a stuffed animal Fingerpaint with chocolate pudding or play with play-doh Go to safe place (actually or in mind)

14 Distracting Techniques Watch TV (not Law & Order SVU) Watch a movie (not Color Purple) Read a book Exercise Take a walk (only if grounded enough) Clean Make a list of things to do Call a support person and talk about other things Use Sensory Techniques, esp. touch and taste Play cards, checkers, computer games Engage in normal routine Window shop

15 Making a Grounding Tool Box Write down all techniques make separate lists for comfort and distracting Integrate sensory techniques into both lists Make multiple copies of list, put in purse, wallet, car, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen drawer (like an inhaler) Gather all items needed to carry out each list at home Use a box, basket, other container (can make or decorate own) so all items are together Make CD or favorite music List journaling or other activities so client does not have to remember

16 Making a Portable Grounding Kit Get a small notebook for lists. Write lists, support people s phone #s, other inspiring quotes, thoughts, etc in notebook. Keep notebook always with client. Make 20 min CD Gather small items to help with sensory grounding put in small case together. E.g., gum, rock, chain, hard candy Keep distracting items deck of cards, book, games or puzzles, etc with kit.

17 Caplan s 7 Characteristics of Effective Coping Behavior 1. Actively exploring reality issues and searching for information 2. Freely expressing both positive and negative feelings and tolerating frustration 3. Actively invoking help from others 4. Breaking problems into manageable bits and working through them one at a time 5. Being aware of fatigue and pacing coping efforts while maintaining control in as many areas of functioning as possible 6. Mastering feelings where possible, being flexible and willing to change 7. Trusting in oneself and others and having a basic optimism about the outcome

18 Patricia Weaver Francisco from Telling: A Memoir of Rape and Recovery 00 IF THE OCCURRENCE OF RAPE WAS AUDIBLE, IT S DECIBEL LEVEL EQUAL TO IS FREQUENCY, IT WOULD OVERPOWER OUR DAYS AND NIGHTS, INTERRUPT OUR MEALS, OUR BEDTIME STORIES, HOWL BEHIND OUR INTIMACY, AN INSISTENT JACKHAMMER OF DISTRESS. WE WOULD DEMAND AN END TO IT.