Another workshop in experiential therapy focused on supervised practice for trainees working towards certifications through the International Society of Experiential Professionals (www.ExperientialProfessionals.com)
In the photo below, see ‘the Sociometry of Sociometry’, a floor check warming up participants to facilitate experiential processes!
“Working Experientially with Defenses in Addiction and Trauma Treatment” presentation today at Pinelands Recovery Center of Medford by Dr. Scott Giacomucci.
Today’s workshop, the fourth of a training series, focused on defense mechanisms. We used Sociometry & Psychodrama to explore the psychological functions of defenses and how they are used in active addiction, in relation to trauma, and in treatment or recovery.
In the photo you can see our warm-up of using “soul cards” to represent and concretize the part of self called the Manager of Defenses in TSM psychodrama. This internal role gives us the capacity to recognize our defenses, consciously choose when they are needed, and contain them when they are unnecessary or maladaptive.
For more information about bringing Scott to your agency for training, email him here – Scott@PhoenixTraumaCenter.com
Check out the most recent publications by Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy staff:
“Experiential Addiction Treatment: Creating Positive Connection through Sociometry and Therapeutic Spiral Model Safety Structures” by Mirmont Staff Scott Giacomucci, Sharon Gera, Darrell Briggs, and Kim Bass. This article is open access to the public in the journal of Addiction and Addictive Disorders: Access the Article Here.
“Being in two places at once: renegotiating traumatic experience through the surplus reality of psychodrama” by Scott Giacomucci & Amy Stone in the Journal of Social Work with Groups: Access the Article Here.
Giacomucci, S. (2018). Traveling as Spontaneity Training: If you want to become a
psychodramatist, travel the world! International Group Psychotherapies and Psychodrama Journal. 4(1): 34-41: Access the Article Here
Giacomucci, S. (2018). Social Work and Sociometry: An Integration of Theory and Clinical Practice. The Pennsylvania Social Worker, 39(1), 14-16. Access the Article Here
Giacomucci, S. (2018). Social work and sociometry: Integrating history, theory, and practice. The Clinical Voice, pp. 15–16. Richboro, PA: Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work. Access the Article Here
I am proud to announce that Amy Stone, MSS, LSW has accepted a position with Giacomucci & Walker, LLC. There are very few people that I would trust to maintain the quality and integrity of my business. Amy is an incredibly talented psychotherapist who finds deep joy and purpose in her work.
Amy has been helping people recover from addiction for over 20 years. She earned her Masters is Social Services with a clinical concentration from Bryn Mawr College. Additionally, she completed her EMDR basic training and has accrued over 500 hours of training in experiential trauma therapy, psychodrama, and the Therapeutic Spiral Model.
She is accepting new clients and specializes in experiential trauma work, sexual trauma, substance abuse, and relationships.
“Asking for help demonstrates bravery and is an action step toward a new experience in life. I have been helping individuals recover from addiction for over twenty years. Now, I assist clients to grow and heal from abuse, neglect, traumas and move through rough patches in life. I recognize the importance of this work, but believe curiosity and laughter can be part of the therapeutic process as well as tears, grief and anger. I use a variety of methods that can go beyond traditional talk-therapy. I’m trained in the experiential methods of EMDR and psychodrama, and both are effective treatments for trauma and PTSD. Transformation and change are often possible and I am honored to witness this daily.”
See her page for contact information.
This past week Scott was featured in Neumann University’s Alumni-in-Action segment of the University alumni newsletter.
See full details here: Scott’s Alumni-in-Action Page
EMDR Therapy is used for treating PTSD symptoms and trauma – consider watching the short 3 minute introductory video below.
EMDR is an effective and efficient research-based treatment for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks. It is also used to treat phobias, depression, addictions, cravings, sports-performance issues, social phobias/anxiety, and chronic pain. EMDR works by accessing the brain’s innate memory processing mechanisms to help desensitize traumatic or disturbing memories.
I am consistently amazed by the power of EMDR therapy and how quickly it can provide relief from flashbacks, nightmares, disturbing thoughts, anxiety, and reduce the emotional charge trauma-related triggers or cues.
Here is a short article and interview published this month in the Psychodrama Network News after a wonderful experience presenting for the first time at the 75th annual conference of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama.
Posting today to share a link below to my newly published short article on Marriage.com on projection and transference in relationships.
http://www.marriage.com/advice/relationship/are-your-past-relationships-haunting-your-current-marriage/
We invite you to attend this personal growth experiential workshop with Kate Hudgins, PhD, TEP and Scott Giacomucci, MSS, LSW, CTTS, CET II:
DATES/TIMES: Friday, 2/3: 6-9 pm; Saturday, 2/4, 10am-6pm. FEE: $250. VENUE: Penn State University – Brandywine Campus, Media, PA. For registration, contact Scott@Sgiacomucci.com.
“When TSM first started in the early 90s, we called our personal growth workshops “Surviving Spirits” to honor the courage and determination of the women and men who participated in order to heal from sexual abuse. TSM has traveled the world into 30 countries, and the model has evolved to facilitate the healing of both collective and individual wounds, while expanding its effectiveness with all types of trauma. We now re-introduce this TSM workshop with an emphasis on building the spontaneity and creativity needed to face trauma without the veil of addictions, including eating disorders. At times, words are not enough, so this workshop utilizes action methods and expressive arts as an avenue for healing. Through proven TSM group work, we pay special attention to safety and confidentiality, increasing participants’ sense of resilience and community to share their loss and grieve the past. This is an introductory workshop for those on a journey of healing, who are ready to work in a like-minded community using action methods and expressive arts.”
KATE HUDGINS, PhD, TEP, is an internationally recognized expert on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. She developed the research-supported Therapeutic Spiral Model™ (TSM) to treat PTSD, demonstrating that experiential approaches create immediate change and new learning for those suffering various stages of breakdown, following overwhelming traumatic events. Kate has taught and worked internationally for over 20 years and is a published author and recipient of numerous awards. www.drkatehudgins.com.
I invite you to take a look at my short article, Healing Through Psychodrama, in the Summer 2016 Women’s Health Source newsletter (pg. 8) published by Mainline Health. The article introduces the use of psychodrama to facilitate healing from trauma and addiction while offering a brief description of a group session:
Mere words aren’t enough for some people to communicate about painful experiences. Another option for healing is psychodrama. This technique explores a person’s relationship with herself and others through creative tools such as role-playing and role reversal, which allow people to learn new ways of relating to others.
“Psychodrama allows us to talk directly to the issue at hand— whether it be interacting with God, a parent, shame, or addiction,” says Scott Giacomucci, MSS, LSW, Mirmont Treatment Center. “Psychodramatists empower people to create change in their lives.”
The following describes a psychodrama experienced by Maria, a survivor of trauma and addiction, while she was an inpatient at Mirmont. The Mirmont team designated one side of the room as “the past” and had a group member role-play as Maria’s 7-year-old self. When Maria was invited to “role reverse” with her younger self, 7-year-old Maria found a safe space to have a voice. She expressed the terror of living in an abusive home and how she escaped her sadness through drug use.
Maria was able to honor her 7-year-old self and give her the love she craved in her childhood. She was invited to choose an object in the room to represent her resilience; she chose a blue marker. Empowered, Maria held her resilience in the air and exclaimed, “I get to write my own future!”
-Scott Giacomucci
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