Trauma grief and loss
The document discusses trauma, grief, and loss, emphasizing the complex emotional responses related to various types of loss, including physical, self-concept, worldview, and social losses. It identifies 10 core concepts for understanding trauma and outlines the stages of grief, coping strategies, and the importance of addressing secondary losses and emotional reactions. Effective self-care and support systems are highlighted as crucial for navigating grief and fostering recovery.
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Trauma grief and loss
- 1. Trauma, Grief andLoss Presented by: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes, PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC Executive Director, AllCEUs Counseling Continuing Education Host: Counselor Toolbox Podcast AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 1
- 2. Objectives Conceptualize griefin terms of the response to any loss Identify the 10 core concepts for understanding trauma Identify how failure to deal with grief can impact a person Explore the stages of grief Review activities and interventions to help people grieve AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 2
- 3. What is Grief Grief is a label assigned to all of the emotions associated with dealing with any kind of loss Physical (Things, abilities, freedoms) Self-concept (Roles, values, labels) Worldview (Innocence, safety) Dreams (How things should be) Social (Loss of relationships…) Trauma is a psychological, emotional and behavioral response to an event or an experience that is deeply distressing or disturbing Not all losses are traumatic but all traumas involve loss To help people accommodate to their “new normal” we must understand how the trauma/loss impacts them on a biopsychosocial basis AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 3
- 4. 10 Core Conceptsfor Understanding Trauma #1 Traumatic experiences are complex Emotional: Depression, anxiety, resentment, guilt, anger Physical: Sleep, HPA-Axis, pain, GI symptoms Interpersonal: Dependency, withdrawal, distrust, jealousy Spiritual: Anger at HP, sense of disconnection, loss of meaning, loss of direction AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 4
- 5. 10 Core Conceptsfor Understanding Trauma #2 Traumatic occurs within the context that includes the individual’s personal characteristics, life experiences and current circumstances Prior stressors in the last 6 months (Physical, emotional, interpersonal, environmental) Mental health issues Cognitive developmental stage (all-or-nothing; egocentrism; concrete or formal operational; comparative experiences) Ability to meet biological and safety needs Social support Proximity to a “safe” space Current coping skills and tools AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 5
- 6. 10 Core Conceptsfor Understanding Trauma #3 Traumatic events often generate secondary adversities, life changes, and distressing reminders in people’s daily lives Housing changes Physical illnesses or injuries Sleep difficulties Mood changes Shame, guilt, anger Loss of significant people or things Visual, auditory and olfactory reminders that trigger flashbacks or strong emotional reactions AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 6
- 7. Core concepts cont… These secondary losses/adversities also need to be acknowledged and grieved. Loss of a part of ourselves Loss of identity Loss of self confidence Loss of a chosen lifestyle Loss of security or a sense of safety Loss of dreams AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 7
- 8. Core concepts cont… What secondary losses/adversities might occur for these events? Death of a parent Separation or divorce Miscarriages Injury or disability Moving to a new place (military children) Being placed in foster care House fire/tornado/flood/hurricane AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 8
- 9. 10 Core Conceptsfor Understanding Trauma #4 People exhibit a wide range of reactions to trauma/loss Grief Reactions Denial: Numbness, dream, alternate explanations Anger/Anxiety: The unknown, loss of control, death, isolation, shame/failure—(shouldas and couldas), resentment, jealousy Bargaining: If I … then I will wake up and realize this was only a really bad dream Depression: Helpless, hopeless Acceptance: Radical acceptance that the loss occurred and determining how to proceed from there AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 9
- 10. Core concepts cont… #4 People exhibit a wide range of reactions to trauma and loss Posttraumatic stress Disruption of attachment and/or peer relationships Problems with emotional regulation Aggression/irritability Withdrawal or constant immersion in relationships Reduced level of functioning at home, at school/work, and in the community. Exacerbation of preexisting mental health or addiction problems AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 10
- 11. 10 Core Conceptsfor Understanding Trauma #5 Safety is a core concern Trauma can: Magnify concerns about dangers Make it more difficult to distinguish between safe and unsafe situations Placing people in physically safe circumstances may not be sufficient to alleviate their fears or restore their disrupted sense of safety and security (B&E, cancer, DV) AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 11
- 12. 10 Core Conceptsfor Understanding Trauma #6 Traumatic experiences affect the family and broader caregiving systems Family members’ or social supports’ own distress can impair their ability to support the traumatized person This compounds the survivor’s reduced sense of protection and security AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 12
- 13. 10 Core Conceptsfor Understanding Trauma #7 Trauma and post-trauma adversities can strongly influence development (even in adults) Regressive behavior Reluctance, or inability to participate in developmentally appropriate activities For children, developmental accelerations such as leaving home at an early age and engagement in precocious sexual behavior. AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 13
- 14. 10 Core Conceptsfor Understanding Trauma #8 Neurobiology underlies reactions to traumatic experiences Capacities to appraise and respond to danger are linked to the HPA-Axis This “threat response system” controls Appraisals of dangerous situations Emotional and physical reactions Protective actions AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 14
- 15. Core concepts cont… #8 Neurobiology underlies reactions to traumatic experiences Traumatic experiences evoke strong biological responses that can persist and, in children, alter brain development The neurobiological impact of traumatic experiences depends in part on: The developmental stage in which they occur. The number and intensity of traumatic experiences AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 15
- 16. 10 Core Conceptsfor Understanding Trauma #9 Challenges to the social contract, including legal and ethical issues, affect trauma response and recovery Traumatic experiences often constitute a major violation of the expectations of the child, family, community, and higher power Survivors are often acutely aware of whether justice is properly served and the social contract is upheld The perceived success or failure of these institutional responses may exert a profound influence on the course of people’s post-trauma adjustment, and on their evolving beliefs, attitudes, and values regarding family, work, and civic life (B&E, DV, cancer) AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 16
- 17. 10 Core Conceptsfor Understanding Trauma #10 Protective factors can reduce the adverse impact of trauma. High self-esteem Self-efficacy Possessing a repertoire of adaptive coping skills. Positive, secure attachment Effective, reliable social support A supportive school/work and community environment AllCEUs Unlimited CEUs $59 | Addiction Counselor Certificate Training $149 | Specialty Certificates $89 17
- 18. Impact of UnresolvedGrief/Trauma Most people get stuck in either anger or depression Anger (shoulda, couldas and if onlys) At self At others At higher power Depression (Hopelessness, Helplessness—I don’t now how to go on) At self At others At higher power AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 18
- 19. Denial Denial, numbingis the mind’s way of protecting people from what lies ahead. Facing the loss Understand the events of their lives and reconcile the losses they have experienced (clarification) Anger is the power play Break down the walls (Bricks or legos, handball wall, soda cans with the losses and threats represented) Bargaining, Pining Mindfulness Radical acceptance and living in the And AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 19
- 20. Denial Depression, Disorganizationand Despair Address hopelessness and helplessness by focusing on what can be changed Death Disappearance Loss Nothing will ever be okay again Failure Failure at everything Bad thing happens It has to happen again AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 20
- 21. Denial Acceptance/Reorganization Redefineworldview integrating new experiences and strengths Visualize a positive future Who am I? (Identity) Where am I going? (Vision of a RML) Who is with me? /What are my resources (Supports) How will I get there? (Goals) How will I know when I have arrived? (Claiming and safety) AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 21
- 22. Not a LinearProcess Most people experience reactions surrounding a traumatic loss for at least a year. Holidays Anniversaries Reminders (people, places, things, media) Many people will vacillate between depression and anger. Normalize people’s experiences Encourage them to reach out to supports Address happiness and survivor guilt (death, DV) AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 22
- 23. Self Care forGrief Emotionally Express feelings Ask for and accept help Don’t let anyone tell you how to feel—and don’t tell yourself how you “should” feel Be patient Be kind to yourself Add happiness triggers Be aware of your grief triggers Embrace the dialectic It is gone but I have the memories/what I learned I cannot change it but I can impact how it continues to impact me AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 23
- 24. Self Care forGrief Physically Get plenty of quality rest How to handle being alone with your thoughts…. Exercise Eat a healthy diet Avoid alcohol Pay attention to persistent changes in eating, sleeping, mood or energy levels AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 24
- 25. Self Care forGrief Psychologically Write things down Simplify Set short term goals Distract/engage in pleasurable activities Start writing the next chapter in your story Plan ahead for grief triggers AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 25
- 26. Self-Care for Grief Interpersonally Rebuild relationships (even understand they can be members of more than one family) AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 26
- 27. Activities Heart-Break Pot(break into large pieces) Using paint pens and markers, have each family member or child write on the inside of the broken pieces. Instruct them to identify their feelings about being alone in their grief. On the outside of the pieces write about or draw their sources of support. Glue back together AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 27
- 28. Activities Jenga (cards)/BeachBall/Worksheets/ My favorite memory is… The hardest part of the loss is… Something I learned about myself/the situation… Something I did to make myself laugh this week was… May supportive people are… 2 things that help me most right now… The hardest time of day is… When I am alone, I can… Some things I enjoy… Changes in my family because of the loss… I am feeling… 3 ways to release feelings of sadness… AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 28
- 29. Summary Losses encompassmore than death or a person or loss of property Losses can be traumatic Failure to acknowledge losses and deal with the traumatic reactions can cause problems in similar future situations It is important to explore feelings and reactions in terms of their functionality---how are they benefitting the person It takes at least a year to deal with significant losses Many times there are multiple ancillary losses that need to be addressed AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 29
- 30. Summary How peopledeal with grief and loss varies widely. After a traumatic loss, the body is on high alert which likely impacts sleep, eating and energy to work or socialize Minimizing vulnerabilities is important to reduce unnecessary frustration and avoid confirming helplessness Ultimately it is hoped that the person can identify how they are stronger or better off from the experience AllCEUs.com Unlimited CEUs and Specialty Certifications $59 30