Session Description
This session focuses on the ending stage of therapy wherein differentiated elements of a child client’s system become increasingly integrated toward a higher complexity of “self.” This includes the gradual process of integration with inevitable bumps in the road, the tensions that may arise such as gender dysphoria, and existential conundrums such as forgiving self and forgiving abusers. Techniques for healthy closure, metaphors for integration, a focus on changing beliefs/cognitions, and observable traits of “integrated” child clients are covered. Finally, a focus on taking care of clinicians is emphasized because treating traumatized children can sometimes be debilitating and demoralizing.

Readings

• Silberg, J. (2022). Integration of self: Towards a Healing Future. In The Child Survivor: Healing Developmental Trauma and Dissociation (pp. 298-314). Routledge.
• Hamby, S., Taylor, E., Mitchell, K., Jones, L., & Newlin, C. (2019). Poly-victimization, trauma, and resilience: Exploring strengths that promote thriving after adversity. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 21(3), 376-395. 
• Kirlic, N., Cohen, Z. P., & Singh, M. K. (2020). Is there an ace up our sleeve? A review of interventions and strategies for addressing behavioral and neurobiological effects of adverse childhood experiences in youth. Adversity and resilience science, 1(1), 5-28.

Videos

1. National Child Traumatic Stress Center. (2018). Helping a Family Cope with the Threat or Revictimization.

Timed Outline
30 minutes: Discussion of Reading 1 – Integration of self
30 minutes: Discussion of Reading 2 – Strengths and resilience
30 minutes: Discussion of Reading 3 – Improving long-term outcomes
30 minutes: Discussion of Webinar 1 – Coping with threat or revictimization
30 minutes: Discussion of case study and case materials applying the above readings to disguised cases