As new understandings about trauma have emerged so has an exciting array of innovative techniques. Until now, the focus of these techniques has remained largely on individuals and exploiting their relationship context is often an untapped resource. What are the best ways to manage relationship dynamics and harness them for good outcomes? Using video tape and case examples this presentation considers how large scale traumatic events affect groups of people and it identifies principles and goals that can also apply to individuals.
It looks at the importance of taking account of the relationship context of individuals with complex trauma and then outlines the characteristics of complex trauma and the latest thinking about effective treatment. It illustrates how to apply these ideas in a relationship context (conjoint sessions and so forth) to achieve positive outcomes. In doing this, it considers when this approach is contraindicated and addresses the ethical conundrums and restraints that operate around it. Using a relationship counselling framework is a strengths based approach that enhances conventional methods of addressing complex trauma.
