This was released as Episode 374 of Counselor Toolbox Podcast. You can find specific episodes and CEU courses based on the podcasts at https://allceus.com/counselortoolbox You can also subscribe on your favorite podcast app like Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Castbox.
2. Objectives
Learn about the effects of acute and
intergenerational trauma
Review risk and protective factors for PTSD
Identify strategies to enhance resiliency in
persons who have experienced past trauma
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 2
3. Effects of Lack of Resilience from
Primary and Intergenerational Trauma
Anxiety and Depression
PTSD
Addictions
Personality Disorders
Relationship Issues
Poverty / Reduced Success
Stress Related Physical
Health Problems
Intergenerational Trauma
Attachment Issues
Pessimism
Rigid Thinking
Lack of Psychological
Flexibility
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89
3
5. PTSD Risk Factors
Age
Developmental level
Prior history of trauma
Prior history of mental health or substance abuse issues
(including autism and FASD)
Number of stressors in the prior 6 months
Availability of social support within 4/24/72 hours
Effective problem solving & coping skills
Effective distress tolerance skills
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 5
6. Protective Factors
Psychological Flexibility
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 6
Here and
Now
Away Behaviors
Hypervigilance
Irritability/aggression
Addictive behaviors
Withdrawal/isolation
Gives up easily
Away Thoughts/Feelings
Anxiety
Anger
Pessimism
Distrust
Guilt
Loneliness
Lack of perspective
Toward Behaviors
Mindfulness
Patience
Vulnerability prevention
Seeking social support
Problem solving skills
Toward Thoughts/Feelings
Optimism
Curiosity/Perspective/Insight
Flexibility
Empowerment
Confidence
Trust
Competence
Self-Control
7. Protective Factors
Mindfulness
The awareness of the present moment and ones needs
in the moment without judgement
Activities
5-4-3-2-1
What’s in the Room
Word’s in a Word
Scavenger Hunt – (i.e. All things green)
Noticing Log
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 7
8. Protective Factors
Mindfulness/Vulnerability Prevention
Morning/Evening (Whiteboard) Mindfulness
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89
8
Morning
• How did I sleep?
• Do I feel rested?
• Do I feel healthy?
• Do I have pain anywhere?
• What am I thinking about the most?
• How do I feel emotionally?
• What am I looking forward to?
• What am I dreading?
• What is one thing I am grateful for?
• What can I do to get energized for
the day?
Afterschool/Work Mindfulness
• How do I feel physically?
• How do I feel emotionally?
• What was the worst thing that
happened today?
• What was the best thing that
happened today?
• What do I want/need right now to
help me finish the day?
• Distress Tolerance Activities?
• Social Support?
• Food?
9. Protective Factors
Mindfulness
Evening
How do I feel physically?
Do I have pain anywhere?
What am I thinking about the most?
How do I feel emotionally?
What is one thing I am grateful for today?
What do I need to do so I can get relaxed enough to go to sleep?
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89
9
10. Distress Tolerance / Self Control
Activities
Contribute
Comparisons (to when
you were in a worse
state, to how things
could be worse)
Emotions
Push Away
Thoughts
Sensations
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 10
Imagery
Meaning
Prayer
Relaxation
One at a time
Vacation
Encouragement
11. Framing/Perspective Skills
What is the evidence for and against that fear or
belief?
Am I considering the big picture (all the factors)
My active part
My current situation and vulnerabilities that contributed
Other people’s active part in it
Transference issues
Am I catastrophizing/confusing high and low
probability events
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 11
• Complaint
• Roof Damage
• Divorce
• Relationship Issues
• Team tryouts
• Grades
12. Problem Solving Skills
Brainstorming– (Hand drawing for children, mind-
map for adults)
Ask someone who has been through it
How does this keep me from moving closer to my
goals and what can I do about it?
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 12
13. Flexibility
Helps people learn that things won’t always go the way they
want, BUT it doesn’t mean it will be awful.
Does not come easy to those with a “J” personality
Identify things we need to be flexible in (vacations,
workouts, job duties, relationships, time management)
Activities
Choices Hat (meals, vacations, television programs)
Schedule a spontaneous day
How many uses game (Duct tape, coconut oil, plastic shopping
bags, cardboard boxes, wire coat hangers…)
How are you like a…. game
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 13
14. Optimism
Learned Optimism (Martin Seligman)
The traumatized brain stays on alert and notices the dangers
or potential threats
Teaching people to identify the good things as well can be
helpful (Hardiness, Kobasa 1979; ACT Russ Harries, Steven
Hayes; DBT Marsh Linehan)
Commitment – The current situation is unfortunate AND what
other aspects of your life are you committed to which are
going okay? (Dialectics, Living in the AND)
Control—What parts of this situation can you control? What
aspects of the other parts of your life are in your control?
Challenge—In what ways can the current situation be viewed as
a challenge or obstacle instead of a barrier?
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 14
16. Empowerment
Activities
Learn about others like you who have overcome
challenges
Break big tasks into small steps
Give credit where credit is due. “I did that” wall
Make a “My support” list
Make sure not to put all your eggs in one basket.
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 16
17. Confidence and Competence
When people feel incompetent and lack confidence, the
world seems much more threatening and they can feel
more helpless.
Signature strengths
Ad campaign
Body Poster / Collage
“Biography”
Who I look up to…
Personal scrapbook of accomplishments
Emotional/Courage/Perseverance/Dedication
Physical
Mental/Occupational/Creativity/Hobbies
Interpersonal/Friendship/Patience/Advocacy
Spiritual
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89
17
18. Confidence and Competence
Signature strengths
Goals Workbook
My Goal
Why I want it
What could stand in my way
How I can deal with that
The steps to get it
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 18
19. Perseverance
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89
19
From a young age it can be difficult to keep going in the
face of adversity, especially if you are already stressed
and feeling disempowered.
Activities
Scaffolding (Tying shoes, doing laundry, reading a book)
For adults--Mentorship
Chunk It
Decisional Balance
Quitting Keeping On
Benefits
Drawbacks
20. Social Support and Connectedness
Social support is a great resource when trauma
knocks people off balance
Developing Connectedness
Participate in hobby groups
Join clubs, faith organizations
Put effort into developing relationships
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 20
21. Prevention and Preparedness
Have a plan
Finances or resources
Housing
Medical
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 21
22. Summary
Trauma can enhance feelings of disconnectedness,
helplessness and anxiety.
Trauma impacts people emotionally, mentally,
physically, interpersonally, occupationally
By helping people develop trauma resiliency we
can assist them in preventing PTSD after a trauma
and breaking the cycle of intergenerational
trauma
AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 22