Addressing Trauma, Cultivating Resilience

Following the events at the Capitol in early January 2021, many of our clients were talking about fears of violence, recurring memories of previous threatening times, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and other challenges. In these polarized times, many fear that more violence and upheaval is yet to come. Sometimes these fears have no names but bring a sense of dread and foreboding. One of the most effective ways to address these fears is to talk about them with other people. Through sharing stories, people can find paths to resilience and hope.

This seminar featured two renowned trauma psychologists from the Trauma Division of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Lenore Walker is a Fellow of the APA and Chair of the current Working Group on Professional Guidelines for PTSD and Trauma. She is a past president of Division 35 (Women), 42 (Independent Practice), and 46 (Media) as well as a former member of both APA Council of Representatives and the Board of Directors. Her research named the Battered Woman Syndrome and developed assessment and treatment techniques for those experiencing gender violence. Dr. Ilene Serlin is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, past-president of the San Francisco Psychological Association and former chair of CARE, and co-editor of Integrative Care for the Traumatized. Her work has focused on using the creative arts to treat trauma around the world.