Compassionate Culture Orientation to the Neurobiology of Trauma Presented by: Molly Ticknor, MA, ATR, LPC Resilience Incubator 1
Why are We Here? Define trauma and describe its systemic impact Identify and describe the key research of the Trauma Informed and Trauma Sensitive Schools movement Recognize the relevance of TIC principles in your work/ life 2
Trauma Informed Care Realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; Recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system; Responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices; and Seeks to actively resist re-traumatization 3
Clarity of Purpose Trauma-Informed Care Culture Change Flattens the Hierarchy Not the What, but the How of compassionate service delivery Universal precautions or sensitive practices that can be implemented anywhere by anyone Benefits everyone s mental health Trauma Specific Clinical Treatment Therapeutic Interventions for specific mental illness Requires Professional License Certification Process Individual Treatment Ie. EMDR, DBT, CBT, PE, CPT, TFCBT 4
Safety We are here to create Trauma Awareness through: Trustworthiness through Transparency Choice / Voice Collaboration & Mutuality Empowerment/ Peer Support Resilience/ Self-care Social Responsibility: Cultural Humility
What is Trauma? 6
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WHAT DOES TRAUMA DO? Trauma shapes a person s basic beliefs about identity, world view, and spirituality. Trauma creates symptoms that are ADAPTATIONS: What we see as the problem is the person s solution Affects neurophysiological development 8
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Impact of Trauma on the Brain Healthy Brain An Abused Brain D E BELLIS ET AL., 1992 10
Trauma s Impact on Learning & Teaching Organizing narrative material Cause & effect Taking another's perspective Showing empathy Attentiveness Regulating emotions Executive functioning Engaging in curriculum
THE HUMAN STRESS RESPONSE It s okay... It s my fault. Fight Flight Freeze Appease Escalate Defense or Offense Avoid the Threat Paralyzed by shock or fear Tend and Befriend Confront the Threat Run or Escape Retreat within, Collapse or Dissociate Pacify or Placate (someone)
State of high alert Action, not thought Inability to think clearly Extreme thoughts Hyper-vigilance Attention to threat Intense and prolonged anxiety Drive to take action
CHILDHOOD ADVERSITY BY CATEGORIES (18 years or younger) Abuse Psychological (by parents) Physical (by parents) Sexual (anyone) Emotional neglect Physical neglect Household Substance Abuse Mental Illness Parental separation/divorce Mother Treated Violently Imprisoned Household Member
Adverse Childhood Experiences (www.acestudy.org)
Distribution of Standard and Urban ACE Scores Standard ACE Score (9 items) Urban ACE Score (14 items) 48% 46% 30% 17% 22% 37% Data Source: Philadelphia Urban ACE Survey, 2013 0 ACEs 1-3 ACEs 4+ ACEs
ACEs and School Performance Youth with at least 2 on ACE score: Are 95 more times likely to be designated to special education (Delaney-Black, et al. 2002). Are 2 ½ times more likely to fail a grade Score 1 ½ times lower on standardized tests Have more receptive and expressive language difficulties Are 50% more likely to be suspended / expelled
We change the question from: What s Wrong With You? to What s Happened To You? We create a trauma-sensitive culture We give them a different experience Recognizing symptoms as survival skills Create a compassionate, caring, nonjudgmental environment
Trauma Informed Care in a nutshell 19
TraumaSensitiveSchools.org Helping Traumatized Children Learn Leverages Brain Science Compassion Evidence Based Sensitive Practices Resilience Vast holistic modalities Creative Problem solving Mindful engaging strengthsbased collaboration
Create Safety SAFETY = CONNECTION + BELONGING 21
Domains of Safety Physical Social Safety Moral Psychological
Out of 350 people working in social services Psychological abuse (Parents) 37% Physical abuse (parents) 29% Sexually abused 25% Emotional neglect 35% Physical neglect 12% Substance abuser in household 40% Separated from one/both parents 41% Witnessed Domestic Violence 21% Imprisoned household member 10% 23
Why We All Matter! Each one of us either Contributes to a safe and trusting healing environment OR Detracts from a safe and trusting environment Everyone is important! T RUMAN M E D ICAL C ENTERS 24
Foster Resilience Mental Physical Response Ability Spiritual Social
You are the #1 Intervention 26