Trauma: Key Elements and Neurobiological Impact
Why Learn
about
Trauma
Informed
Practice?
Key Elements of a Trauma
Informed Practice
Being aware of the presence of trauma
Understanding how traumatic experience can
affect a person’s physical, emotional, social and
cognitive functioning
Working with a client’s trauma symptoms, not
against them
Developing a strong repertoire of trauma
informed practices
What is trauma?
A person is confronted with the death, threatened
death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual
or threatened sexual violence, as follows:
1. Direct exposure
2. Witnessing, in person
3. Indirectly, by learning that a close relative or
close friend was exposed to trauma.
4. Repeated or extreme indirect exposure to
aversive details of the event(s), usually in the
course of professional duties (e.g., first
responders).
DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association, 2013
The Neurobiology
of Trauma and
Behavior
The Neurobiology
of Trauma and
Memory
Neurochemical environment of
trauma affects how memory of the
trauma is encoded, and thus how it is
latter accessed
Traumatized person cannot generate
the same kind of narrative memory
Memory typically fragmented, out of
sequence, with gaps
Intense detailed memory of some
things, fuzzy or no memory of other
things
Memories may rise to surface over
time
Memories
Post-Trauma Memories
Post-Trauma Brain
Behavior and Affect
Trauma Indicators in Interviews
Unreliable
Client
Traumatized clients may not
Respond to your calls
Show up for appointments,
meetings, or court hearings
Provide necessary documents or
information you need to respond
to court, opposing party
Unrealistic Expectations of the
Justice System
Crossing Boundaries
Work with the Trauma
Communication Tools
Compassionate Truth
Healthy
Boundaries
Create
a framework
within which
empowering and
respectful interactions
can occur.
Unhealthy Boundaries
Client-
Centered
Advocacy
Preparing for Court
Working
with
Advocates
Provide added emotional support
for your client
Ensure that your client has access
to someone with expertise in
exploring safety options
Assist your client in self-
organization, helping you get the
information and materials you
need from the client to support
your case
Keep you and/or your client
informed about any pending
criminal matters that may impact
the divorce or custody case or
personal protection order matter
Mental Health Professionals
Questions?
Given recent events, there is no need to define domestic violence or explain that domestic violence is prevalent in society and affects people in all socio economic levels
Because DV is part of at least ¼ of relationships, you will have clients who are or have been survivors of domestic violence or other trauma
The effects of trauma will impact your practice
You clients
Your ability to effectively represent their interests
Your ability to enjoy the practice of family law
Some of the most frustrating behaviors clients exhibit in family law cases are the result of trauma
Ask for examples of frustrating behavior:
Client story evolves over time/ lying to me
Client fails to communicate or wants constant assurance throughtout the process
Client shuts down in court or is very emotional, almost hysterical
Client is indecisive or just goes along with attorney suggestions at court, then wants to back out
Client believes opposing party has power and influence that is not realistic
Client has unrealistic expectations
Need to understand impact of trauma NOT so that you can be the client’s therapist,
but so that you can better understand CL and what he or she is experiencing
so that you can be a better lawyer
Goal today is give an understanding of the impact of trauma and some tools for addressing it’s affects
Address some common issues and leave some time for questions
Trauma-informed practice involves being aware of trauma's presence, understanding its effects on physical and emotional well-being, and working with trauma symptoms constructively. Trauma can arise from direct exposure, witnessing, or indirect experiences, affecting memory encoding and retrieval. The neurobiology of trauma triggers instinctive responses, altering brain function and memory. Post-trauma, individuals may feel overwhelmed, flooded with emotions, and struggle to articulate their experiences.
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Presentation Transcript
Why Learn about Trauma Informed Practice?
Key Elements of a Trauma Informed Practice Being aware of the presence of trauma Understanding how traumatic experience can affect a person s physical, emotional, social and cognitive functioning Working with a client s trauma symptoms, not against them Developing a strong repertoire of trauma informed practices
What is trauma? A person is confronted with the death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence, as follows: 1. Direct exposure 2. Witnessing, in person 3. Indirectly, by learning that a close relative or close friend was exposed to trauma. 4. Repeated or extreme indirect exposure to aversive details of the event(s), usually in the course of professional duties (e.g., first responders). DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association, 2013
The Neurobiology of Trauma and Behavior HUMANS ARE PREY WHO DEVELOPED A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO FEAR TO INCREASE CHANCES OF SURVIVAL. FEAR TRIGGERS THE PRIMITIVE BRAIN TO SIGNAL A CASCADE OF NEUROCHEMICALS AND HORMONES THAT INSTANTLY ALTER HEART RATE, BREATHING, BLOOD DISTRIBUTION, AND PUPIL DILATION THIS RESPONSE IS UNCONSCIOUS, BYPASSING THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX AND WIRED DIRECTLY TO THE AMYGDALA, LOCATED IN THE PRIMITIVE BRAIN.
The Neurobiology of Trauma and Memory Neurochemical environment of trauma affects how memory of the trauma is encoded, and thus how it is latter accessed Traumatized person cannot generate the same kind of narrative memory Memory typically fragmented, out of sequence, with gaps Intense detailed memory of some things, fuzzy or no memory of other things Memories may rise to surface over time
Post-Trauma Brain Seeing Overwhelmed with Images of the Trauma Feeling Flooded by Emotions Experienced During Trauma Not Speaking No Language to Describe the Events
Behavior and Affect Some may be combative or angry, others very passive and fearful Some may express a lot of distress, others may have flat affect May appear secretive or paranoid, overly dramatic or zombie like
Trauma Indicators in Interviews A STORY THAT DOESN T FIT TOGETHER OR HAS GAPS STORY THAT DOESN T UNFOLD IN A COHERENT WAY/CLIENT IS JUMPING AROUND IN THE STORY. CLIENT EXHIBITS FLAT AFFECT/NO EMOTION/ODD RESPONSE CLIENT SEEMS OVERLY DISTRAUGHT CLIENT LOOKS SPACED OUT OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.
Traumatized clients may not Respond to your calls Unreliable Client Show up for appointments, meetings, or court hearings Provide necessary documents or information you need to respond to court, opposing party
Unrealistic Expectations of the Justice System Client believes you are on other party s side Client fears you don t understand how tricky other side can be Client demands unreasonable outcomes or tactics
Crossing Boundaries Client asks you for advice on personal issues outside of legal process Client calls multiple times per day or week Client repeatedly asks about your personal life
Work with the Trauma Use gentle prompts: What s the next thing you remember? How did you respond to that? Allow client to control the flow of the narrative Do not insist on a chronological account Use non-verbal communication to indicate you are listening Allow for breaks or more than one session
Communication Tools Neurobiologic response to trauma may impact: memory, retention of information, focus and concentration. Provide information in multiple ways and multiple times. verbal and written summaries and reminders.
Compassionate Truth Understand this might be far off from what client expects or wants Set Realistic Expectations
Healthy Boundaries Create a framework within which empowering and respectful interactions can occur.
Unhealthy Boundaries Rescuing is when we act outside of the scope of our professional responsibilities, and perhaps outside of our expertise, in a misguided attempt to rescue the client from her circumstances. Judgment (minimizing or evaluating the merits of your client s experience and choices) a way in which we distance ourselves from another s pain or vulnerability.
Don't be the next controlling person in the client s life. Client- Centered Advocacy Provide options and implications, not answers Non-judgmental statements about client behavior that might damage her case
Preparing for Court Explain Team up Prepare Strategize Plan Go over what to expect Team up with a advocate or support person Plan for how to deal with the abuser s presence in the courtroom Know what to do if the survivor is triggered during the court proceedings. Explore safety options for before, during and after court
Provide added emotional support for your client Ensure that your client has access to someone with expertise in exploring safety options Working with Advocates Assist your client in self- organization, helping you get the information and materials you need from the client to support your case Keep you and/or your client informed about any pending criminal matters that may impact the divorce or custody case or personal protection order matter
Mental Health Professionals Identify and communicate her needs Sift through and process information Assist in making decisions that are best for her Flag when her emotional expectations may be unrealistic Discuss when she is either looking for her lawyer to rescue her, or vilifying her attorney because the attorney can t get her what she wants Help her prepare for and manage trauma reactions to highly intense or difficult situations
