Trauma


 * Coulter, S. (2014). The applicability of two strengths-based systemic psychotherapy models young people following type 1 trauma. Child Care In Practice, 20(1),**
 * 48-63.** **doi:10.1080/13575279.2013.847057**

The writers of this article discuss how the use of Narrative Therapy (NT) and Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) can both be used to treat children who have experienced type 1 trauma. They discuss the inter-relationship of well-being, salutogenesis, and sense of coherence, quality of life and resilience as fundamental concepts to strengths-based practices. The current evidence for effective treatment for psychological trauma is still in progress. Currently, evidence based therapies for psychological trauma is trauma focused CBT for adults suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. There is little evidence for such treatments for children outside the realm of sexual assault. A recent review paper of 43 studies showed that 32 (74%) reported significant positive benefit from SFBT and NT showed comparable results on symptom improvement to bench mark research outcomes.

NT and SFBT are both strength based practices that highlight the clients own strengths and resources and avoid repeating the experience of “helplessness” by focusing on ways that the client has already begun to reclaim their lives. SFBT changes the client’s relationship with the traumatic experience by focusing the therapeutic conversation on times when the problem was not present. Narrative approach has an underlying assumption that below the surface of the problem centered narrative; there is a narrative of resilience and strength. NT focuses on highlighting that “positive” narrative as a means of re-authoring the clients traumatic experience and creating an increased sense of wellbeing. The writers of this article successfully outlined various SFBT techniques used in therapy for children experiencing psychological trauma and how NT, through a case example, can be applied for children experiencing psychological trauma.


 * Drvaric, L., Gerritsen, C., Rashid, T., Bagby, R. M., & Mizrahi, R. (2015). High stress, low resilience in people at clinical high risk for psychosis: Should we**
 * consider a strengths-based approach?. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 56(3), 332-347. doi:10.1037/cap0000035**

To date, established psychosocial interventions have been effective in improving the positive and negative symptoms of clinically high risk (CHR) individuals but there is little information on how psychosocial interventions improve the wellbeing of a CHR client. Referencing existing studies, the writers acknowledge that one’s wellbeing and mental health have shown that resiliency may be a protective factor against the effect of psychopathological symptoms. The writers of this article investigated how utilizing one’s resiliency and incorporating positive psychotherapy interventions could improve the overall wellbeing of CHR individuals. The writers conducted full text reviews of eleven randomized and nonrandomized psychosocial interventions which investigated the effects of early intervention for CHR individuals at high risk for the development of psychosis by utilizing validated clinical assessments.

This article first researched how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Family-Focused Therapy (FFT) interventions are used to treat CHR individuals. Their readings confirmed that there is little to no reference on how they improve the wellbeing of the client. They simply treat the symptoms. The writers then discuss PPT (Positive Psychotherapy) and how this is the effective alternative to not only reduce the clients negative and positive symptoms but it also improves the wellbeing of the client. They compared already established psychosocial interventions of CBT and FFT to Positive psychotherapy interventions. PPT was derived from positive psychology and claims that building positive emotions, strengths, and meaning, while treating symptoms, is the most effective way to treat psychological challenges. As previously mentioned, CBT and FFT interventions have been implemented to reduce, delay, or even prevent psychological challenges or symptoms. In PPT, the client’s well-being is not measured by the easing or improvement of symptoms of illness and disease. Rather it is measure by the concept of living well, or human flourishing in positive psychology.

If psychotherapy interventions continue to move towards improving the clients overall wellbeing and not just treating and reducing the client’s symptoms, then new approaches to assessment and treatment are needed. The writers propose the application of psychosocial treatments like strength based CBT or positive CBT which incorporate similar objectives to PPT. In particular they focus on solutions focused outcomes and goals, rather than problem-solving.


 * Goodman, L. A., Fauci, J. E., Sullivan, C. M., DiGiovanni, C. D., & Wilson, J. M. (2016). Domestic violence survivors’ empowerment and mental health: Exploring**
 * the role of the alliance with advocates. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 86(3), 286-296. doi:10.1037/ort0000137**

The researchers in this study researched whether (1) strength of the alliance between survivors and their advocates lowers symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder and (2) whether alliance increases a survivors’ sense of empowerment and overall mental health. It was theorized that the client’s alliance with the advocate was not a “cure” but rather a condition that is needed to assist the client in the healing process.

Data was collected from a sample of 370 trauma survivors who sought services at one of fifteen urban and suburban domestic violence facilities. These facilities were located in five states across Midwestern and Northeastern United States and provided counseling, safety planning, and referral services to survivors and while most programs offered either short term emergency shelter several offered transitional living programs. Two subscales of the Short-Revised Version of the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI-SR) were utilized to measure alliance, the WAI assessed collaborative and affective bond between participants and staff, the Measure of Victims’ Empowerment Related to Safety (MOVERS) was used to assess survivors’ empowerment in the domain of safety, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to measure severity of depressive symptoms and The Primary Care PTSD Screen was utilized to screen for post-traumatic stress.

Their findings showed that alliance alone will not reduce the symptoms of trauma for clients in domestic violence therapies (depression and PTSD). There were several explanations offered but they primarily believe that alliance, when compared to the clients various complex challenges, may not be significant enough to reduce symptom like depression and PTSD in domestic violence survivors. However they did find that an alliance does indeed serve as the foundation needed to contribute to the improved wellbeing of the client. The Findings in this article can potentially help programs use alliance as a factor contributing to client change and wellbeing. The model described can potentially help programs engage in critical reflection about the extent to which they [are attending to each of its parts with regard to practice, training and supervision.


 * Grych, J., Hamby, S., & Banyard, V. (2015). The resilience portfolio model: Understanding healthy adaptation in victims of violence. Psychology of Violence, 5(4),**
 * 343-354**.

Utilizing the Resilience Portfolio Model, the writers investigated how resilience, in children and adults exposed to violence, develop healthy functioning. This model utilizes theories of resilience, positive psychology, posttraumatic growth and stress and coping. The Resilience Portfolio Model is a strengths-based framework designed to provide a holistic understanding of the protective factors and processes that promote resilience.

Clinicians can use this model to measures a client’s protective factors (personal characteristics and resources), regulatory strengths (self-regulation and overall coping skills), meaning making strengths, resources (personal relationships), environmental factors and coping response in clients seeking therapy after an incident of violence or trauma. This allows the clinician to focus on the client’s strengths rather than the actual trauma. Although the Resiliency Portfolio Model is a good framework to understand a client’s resiliency, further research is needed to investigate whether client resources promote mental health or simply act as indicators of resilience. Furthermore, resiliency may present differently at different ages and stages of development. The writers suggested that future studies should consider what types of client strengths are present at different developmental changes and whether their associations with adjustment differ at different ages.

The Resiliency Portfolio Model increases the range of protective factors already studied in violence research. The model incorporates personal strengths identified in the positive psychology literature, and describes how coping behaviors promote healthy functioning following exposure to violence. The writers suggest that incorporating insights from positive psychology will provide a deeper understanding of how people adapt to adversity and eventually improving strategies that will assist victims of violence in that process.


 * Moore, M. M., Cerel, J., & Jobes, D. A. (2015). Fruits of trauma? Posttraumatic growth among suicide-bereaved parents. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention**
 * and Suicide Prevention, 36(4), 241-248. doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000318**

Positive psychology, in regards to post traumatic growth, suggests that while there is evidence that suicide-bereaved individuals may be at higher risk for trauma-related outcomes, such as posttraumatic stress disorder or prolonged grief, it may also promote personal growth within the confines of distress. This is a very strength based way of viewing grief and trauma. The writers theorize that variables, such as reflective rumination, resilience, personality variables, and mood states, contribute to PTG among suicide-bereaved parents.

The participants were recruited through two suicide bereavement organizations: Friends for Survival, Inc., in Sacramento, California, and Parents of Suicide, a Chattanooga, Tennessee. The participants included 154 parents bereaved by the suicide death of their child of any age or gender within the previous 2 years. The writers utilized the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) which assesses positive outcomes in people who have experienced traumatic events, The Life-Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R), The Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), The Positive Affect and Negative Schedule (PANAS), The Prolonged Grief Disorder measure (PG-13), The Ruminative Response Scale (RSS) and The Resilience Scale (RS-14). A demographics questionnaire was used to collect demographics information from participants including gender, education, income, and marital status.

Contrary to previous research, cognitive mechanisms, such as reflective rumination, or personality features, such as optimism, did not predict PTG scores in the sample studied. The writers hypothesized that highly resilient individuals may have better coping skills and may not struggle with trauma and as a result did not experience positive life changes. as a result. Overall, the suicide bereaved parents’ mean total PTGI score indicated a low–moderate degree of PTG for the group as a whole. This study provides hope that, while suicide may present unparalleled challenges to parents and others bereaved by suicide, it also offers opportunity for growth, strengthened relationships, increased spirituality, and appreciation for life. This study proved that even if PTG is slow, the fact that it is possible leads the way for clinicians to be able to look for positive growth following a traumatic experience.

Haley, T. (2000). Solution-Focused counseling with a sexual abuse survivor. //Guidance & Counseling//, //15//(4), 18. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.  **Article synopsis** **:** This is a case study (single case) utilizing SFBT. Participant developed better coping skills and showed signs of recovery. Self-report informal indicators were also used. No information is provided regarding trustworthiness or rigor of the study.
 * [|Solution-Focused counseling with a sexual abuse survivor]

Kruczek, T., & Vitanza, S. (1999). Treatment effects with an adolescent abuse survivor's group. //Child Abuse & Neglect//, //23//(5), 477-485. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database. **Article synopsis** : This is a quantitative study about the efficacy of a structured group therapy intervention in reducing the negative consequences of sexual abuse. Treatment protocol was based on SFBT and Ericsonian interventions. Participants improved in daily functioning and positive recovery behaviors.
 * [|Treatment effects with an adolescent abuse survivor's group]

Beaudoin, M. (2005). Agency and choice in the face of trauma: A Narrative Therapy Map. //Journal of Systemic Therapies//, //24// (4), 32-50. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database. **Article synopsis:** This article presents a model for guiding conversations with people who have suffered severe trauma. The model is illustrated with the transcript of a therapy session. Anderson, K., & Hiersteiner, C. (2008). Recovering from childhood sexual abuse: Is a “storybook ending” possible?. //American Journal of Family Therapy//, //36// (5), 413-424. **Article synopsis:** This is a qualitative study using grounded theory method of inquiry. Social construction and narrative theories are utilized to inform the study. Participants were 25 females and 2 males who attended adult survivor support groups
 * Agency and choice in the face of trauma: A Narrative Therapy Map.
 * Recovering from childhood sexual abuse: Is a "storybook ending" possible?