Teamwork and Trauma Recovery

Authors

  • Nancy Alexander, MSW, LCSW-C Author
  • Linda Ciotola, MEd, CHES (ret), TEP Author

Keywords:

therapeutic spiral model, borderline personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, limbic system, double, body double, containing double, triple double, witness role, project of integration, window of tolerance

Abstract

This article developed from the collaboration between an experienced psychodynamic

therapist and a psychodramatist trained in the Therapeutic Spiral Model of psychodrama,

who worked together with a number of clients diagnosed across the trauma spectrum. The

authors describe three distinct treatment models integrating the concepts and methodologies

of several therapeutic approaches. In addition, the authors note that the

professional collaboration of clinicians, including trained auxiliaries, provided attachment

repair to the protagonists while minimizing vicarious traumatization and burnout of the

clinicians. A review of the literature is interwoven with several case histories as interventions

and outcomes are described.

References

Blake, R. L., & Bishop, S. R. (1994). The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and

Music (GIM) in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with

adults in a psychiatric setting. Music Therapy Perspectives, 12(2), 125–129.

Burden, K., & Ciotola, L. (2002). The body double: An advanced clinical action

intervention module in the Therapeutic Spiral Model to treat trauma. Educational

Article, www.Healing-Bridges.com

Carey, L. J. (2006). Expressive and creative arts methods for trauma survivors.

Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley.

Ciotola, L., & Hudgins, K. (2003). The body double an experiential model for eating

disorders. ‘‘International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals’’

Newsletter 2003.

Dayton, T. (2000). Trauma and addiction. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health

Communications.

Dayton, T. (2005). The living stage. Deerfield Beech, FL: Health Communications.

De Zulueta, F. (2006). The treatment of psychological trauma from the perspective of

attachment research. Journal of Family Therapy, 28(4), 334–351. doi:10.1111/j.

–6427.2006.00356.x

Figley, C. R. (2002). Compassion fatigue: Psychotherapists’ Chronic Lack of Self

Care. Journal of Clinical Psychology. Wiley Online Library.

Greenberg, L. S. (1998). Handbook of experiential psychotherapy. New York: Guilford

Press.

Hudgins, M. K. (2002). Experimental treatment for PTSD: The Therapeutic Spiral

Model. New York: Springer.

Lev-Wiesel, R. (2008). Child sexual abuse: A critical review of intervention and

treatment modalities. Children and Youth Services Review, 30(6), 665–673.

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2008.01.008

Moreno, J. L. (1977). Psychodrama. Beacon, NY: Beacon House.

Moreno, Z. (2012, May 12). Wife of J L Moreno and co-developer of Morenian arts

and sciences. (L. Ciotola, Interviewer) quote obtained via personal interview

with Z.T. Moreno 2012 — Interview with Linda Ciotola Charlottesville, VA

Teamwork and Trauma Recovery 103

Neumann, D. A., & Gamble, S. J. (1995). Issues in the professional development of

psychotherapists: Countertransference and vicarious traumatization in the new

trauma therapist. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 32(2),

–347.

O’Neill, E. (1970). A moon for the misbegotten. In E. Rinehart & Winston (Eds.), A

treasury of theater from Isben to Lowell (pp. XX–XX). New York: Rinehart and

Winston.

Ridge, R. M. (1998, Winter). Rebuilding the body of trust. The Center for Experiential

Learning (Charlottesville, VA) Newsletter.

Schwartz, M., Galperin, L., & Gleiser, K. A. (2009). Attachment as a mediator of eating

disorder: Implications for treatment. Retrieved Month DD, YYYY, from http://

www.castlewoodtc.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/attachment_as_a_

mediator.pdf

Springer, D. W., & Rubin, A. (2009). Treatment of traumatized adults and children:

Clinician’s guide to evidence-based practice. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Van der Kolk, B. A. (1994). The body keeps the score: Memory and the evolving

psychobiology of posttraumatic stress. Harford Review of Psychiatry, 1(5), 253–

doi:10.3109/10673229409017088

Van der Kolk, B. A. (1997). The psychobiology of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 58(Suppl. 9).

Van der Kolk, B. A. (2003). The neurobiology of childhood trauma and abuse. Child

and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, 12, 293–317.

Van der Kolk, B. A., McFarlane, A. C., & Weisaeth, L. (1996). Traumatic stress: The

effects of overwhelming experience on mind, body, and society. New York: Guilford

Press.

Van der Kolk, B. A., Perry, J. C., & Herman, J. L. (1991). Childhood origins of selfdestructive

behavior. American Journal of Psychiatry, 148(12), 1665–1671

Downloads

Published

2024-03-19