Hostname: page-component-5c6d5d7d68-wtssw Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-08-20T06:36:18.088Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Group Work with Children who have Experienced Trauma using a Sensorimotor Framework

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2015

T. Wolan*
Affiliation:
Trauma Counselling service, The Australian Childhood Foundation, Mitcham, Victoria, Australia
M. A. Delaney
Affiliation:
Trauma Counselling service, The Australian Childhood Foundation, Mitcham, Victoria, Australia
A. Weller
Affiliation:
Trauma Counselling service, The Australian Childhood Foundation, Mitcham, Victoria, Australia
*
address for correspondence: T. Wolan, Trauma Counselling service, The Australian Childhood Foundation, Mitcham, Victoria, Australia E-mail: twolan@childhood.org.au

Abstract

At the Victorian Child Trauma service, we are using a sensorimotor framework to help children recover from their experiences of trauma. Informed by the work of Pat Odgen, this approach helps children to feel safe, aware and connected to their bodies and minds. In this article, we will describe the development of a group program incorporating sensorimotor principles, with the aim of helping children to regulate and engage in healing relationships. Group outcomes suggest that the use of sensory elements and principles in guiding our group program helps dysregulated children to establish safety and connection in meaningful ways with those around them.

Type
Conference Proceedings
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Gantt, S. P., & Badenoch, B. (2013). The interpersonal neurobiology of group psychotherapy and group process. London: Karnac Books LTD.Google Scholar
Odgen, P. (2009). Emotion, mindfulness, and movement: Expanding the regulatory boundaries of the window of affect tolerance. In Fosha, D., Siegel, D. J., & Solomon, M. (Eds.), The healing power of emotions: Affective neuroscience, development and clinical practice. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.Google Scholar
Odgen, P., Goldstein, B., & Fisher, J. (2013). Brain-to-brain, body-to-body: A sensorimotor psychotherapy perspective on the treatment of children and adolescents. In Longo, R. E., Prescott, D. S., Bergman, J., & Creeden, K. (Eds.), Current perspectives & applications in neurobiology: Working with young people who are victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse. Massachusetts: NEARI Press.Google Scholar
Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the body: A sensorimotor approach to psychotherapy. New York: W.W. Norton & Company Inc.Google Scholar
Porges, S. (2009). Reciprocal influences between the body and brain: A polyvagal perspective. In Fosha, D., Siegel, D. J., & Solomon, M. (Eds.), The healing power of emotions: Affective neuroscience, development and clinical practice. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.Google Scholar
Raredon, M., Jackson, J. R., & Ingolia, P. (2013). Sensory integration and trauma. In Longo, R. E., Prescott, D. S., Bergman, J., & Creeden, K. (Eds.), Current perspectives & applications in neurobiology: Working with young people who are victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse. Massachusetts: NEARI Press.Google Scholar
Siegel, D. J. (1999). The developing mind. New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar