Name and Qualifications of the Presenter:
Ellen Blaufox, LCSW-R is Clinical Director of Linden Hill RTF (Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services) the largest psychiatric, residential treatment facility in New York State. She has been working with adolescents, adults and families who live with chronic stress, histories of trauma and mental illness for almost twenty years. During her time at Linden Hill, Ellen has had the opportunity to participate as a Core Team Member (for JBFCS) in the National Child Traumatic Study Network Learning Collaborative with the founders of TF-CBT. She has been practicing TF-CBT for nearly eight years and has provided consultation and supervision for TF-CBT clinicians. Additionally, Ellen was a Core Team Member of the implementation of the Sanctuary Model on the Westchester Campus of JBFCS. She participated in the adaptation and implementation of the Sanctuary Model from an adult modality to the adolescent population.
Ms. Blaufox has been an Adjunct Professor at New York University Silver Graduate School of Social Work for four years, where she teaches Diversity, Racism, Oppression and Privilege. She has also taught Trauma and Resilience at Iona College. Ellen is the Founder of True Edge Workshop whose mission is to empower girls and women by challenging their cognitive distortions and increasing their practice of self-compassion. She is a well-respected authority and has been presenting workshops on such topics as white privilege, feminism, self-abuse, trauma, depression, self-care for the last ten years. In addition, she is a contributor to Mary Pender Greene’s chapter “Family and Children’s Services” in the publication Encyclopedia of Social Work with Groups. Ms. Blaufox is in private practice in Westchester County. She is a graduate of Circle in the Square Theater Summer School and NYSSA (Julliard).
Subject / Topic:
The purpose of this course is to provide an orientation for clinicians who are interested in becoming certified in the evidenced-based treatment intervention Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Additionally, it will provide a refresher for those who are already certified in the model, and expose others to the practice so that they are able to assess its usefulness to their clients. Social workers can also take this course in order to better provide support to clients who are engaged in TF-CBT with a collaborating clinician.
Exposure to traumatic life events (such as: child abuse, domestic violence, natural disasters, war, etc.) can lead to the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). When left untreated, PTSD sufferers experience life-interfering symptoms and consequences such as severe depression, isolation, substance abuse and significant impulse control and anger problems. TF-CBT has been proven to improve symptoms of PTSD, Depression and Anxiety more than other treatment.
Description of Course:
Session amounts may vary based on the individual needs of the organization.
For individuals, please contact us for more information.
The principles and techniques of Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) will be introduced in the specific order dictated by the model. The trauma-focused components of this model include psychoeducation, relaxation, affect management, and the challenging of cognitive distortions. The final component of the model is the creation of the child’s trauma narrative. Through cognitive processing of the traumatic experience and gradual exposure to the traumatic material – the child is eventually able to tell and remember his or her trauma story without being overwhelmed by painful, intrusive and disruptive symptoms.
Another significant component of this model is the inclusion of the child’s caretaker. The caregiver attends and participates in his or her own individual and joint child-parent sessions. Parallel sessions provide the child the opportunity to share their narrative, once it is completed and processed, with their caregiver.
Teaching Methods:
This course is geared toward adult learners. It will be taught with a combination of methods. Didactic lecture and the use of Power Point will outline in a step-by-step, sequential manner the components of the model. Interactive activities such as role-play and practice time for skills and techniques will allow the participants to begin to internalize the tools and techniques taught in the course, as well as to be prepare for challenges, resistances and avoidance. Discussion of how to apply the model to specific cases, as well as case examples will occur throughout.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will understand the goals of TF-CBT and the effectiveness of the model in treating PTSP. They will understand how the specific components of TF-CBT address trauma symptoms and PTSD. They will understand the concept of gradual exposure and it’s significance in treating trauma symptoms.
- Participants will learn the following as they pertain to the model: the parent skills component (praise, prioritization, challenging cognitive distortions of the caregiver), psychoeducation of trauma types, relaxation skills, and affective management tools. They will also learn how to introduce gradual exposure into each module.
- Participants will learn to practice leading a TF CBT session in a structured approach. They will learn the various tools and skills provided by the model and practice them through role-play and activities.
- Participants will understand when to challenge cognitive distortions and when not to within the context of the model. They will learn how to prepare for and conduct collateral and parallel caregiver sessions. They will understand how to assess if it is appropriate to have the child read the trauma narrative to the caregiver based on their readiness. Participants will understand how to introduce and collaborate with the child in writing a trauma narrative. They will understand how to process the distortions and feelings of the narrative. They will understand how to prepare the caregiver for the reading of the narrative. They will understand how to help the child and caregiver prepare for future at risk situations and trauma triggers. They will understand how to terminate according to the model.
- Participants will learn how to process a trauma narrative by using a fabricated example and going through each component with a partner. Participants will learn how to talk to caregiver and client about future planning and be prepared for situations through practice.