The Emotional Aspects of Trauma - Session 3: Overview of the Neurobiology


Lecture Series Description

The five presentations in this series are part of my course entitled “The Power of Presence 3”.  The emphasis of this teaching is on exploring the emotional aspects of trauma in our patients and applying the key concepts of Presence, using Stillness, and the use of active engagement with compressive forces.  Practitioners may be uncomfortable with these emotional aspects because it is not often highlighted in our training. This series will offer approaches for communicating and working with patients where emotional trauma is a significant factor. The foundation for this course is grounded in the work of WG Sutherland and several members of his teaching faculty that I had the privilege to learn from.  These teachings can be integrated into whatever your current approaches to treatment are and are appropriate for all levels of practitioners.

Learning Objectives
After completing this activity, learners will be able to:

Session 1: Understanding and Recognizing Emotional Trauma
-  Understand the nature, reach, and range of emotional trauma.
-  Incorporate inquiries about emotional trauma into the history taking.
-  Recognize the palpatory clues that emotional trauma may be a significant factor.

Session 2: Working with Emotional Trauma      
-  Appreciate the crucial role of being grounded, centered, and present and develop skills in being a good listener.
-  Develop perspectives and tools for managing the trauma reactions of their patients.
-  Develop reflections and strategies for managing their own trauma reactions.

Session 3:  Overview of the Neurobiology
-  Understand and apply the basic principles of the Polyvagal Theory.
-  Identify some of the key regions of the brain impacted by emotional trauma.
-  Assess the patient for signs of disrupted neurobiology.

Session 4:  Approaches to Treatment -- Part 1
-  Develop skills for addressing acute and chronic shock.
-  Develop skills for addressing the midline function of the patient.
-  Identify some of the key anatomic structures and regions associated with emotional trauma.

Session 5:  Approaches to Treatment -- Part 2
-  Apply osteopathic treatment to key anatomic structures and regions.
-  Understand the use of active engagement and compressive forces in treatment.
-  Identify several adjunctive approaches and understand the rationale for their use.

Target Audience
This activity is for osteopathic and medical physicians (DO/MD) and students, and for International Osteopaths.

Prerequisite 
There are no prerequisites.