Pat Ogden

In the wake of the emerging understanding about the neurobiology of trauma and the appreciation that physical action is necessary to initiate new ways of perceiving reality and promote new behavior patterns, this presentation illustrates how with physical action helps to process traumatic experience and create new competencies. Simple actions, such as pushing away, reaching out, grounding, and orienting, correspond to psychological functions. When clients experience and practice actions specifically related to a psychological symptom or issue, psychological functioning can be positively affected. For example, experiencing the physical capacity to define one's personal space or push away can strengthen the ability to secure boundaries and lessen helplessness; practicing reaching out can fortify confidence in the possibility of asking for help and increasing social contact. Drawing on Sensorimotor Psychotherapy concepts and interventions, including embedded relational mindfulness, interventions that mitigate dissociation and shame and foster a somatic sense of self will be illustrated through excerpts of consultation sessions. How people’s minds and bodies process and interpret traumatic experiences will be addressed, with a focus on how controlled action might help overcome traumatic repetitions and continued flight /flight/freeze/and shut down responses. Body-oriented interventions will be illustrated through videotaped excerpts of sessions with traumatized individuals, particularly sexual abuse survivors.

OBJECTIVES: 1-Describe procedural learning and its relevance to trauma treatment. 2-Discuss the role of the body in trauma treatment. 3-Explain how physical action can be used to help patients feel empowered and decrease PTSD symptoms. 4-Describe the importance of embedded relational mindfulness in trauma therapy.