Resilient Survivors; Strong at Broken Places

LIVE VIRTUAL
CE 3.5

The myth of “once damaged goods, always damaged goods” posits that a survivor of trauma is destined to continue patterns of abuse – against self or others.  Quite to the contrary, most survivors go on to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.  Many, in fact, derive their greatest strengths in the very areas were they’ve been hurt the most, not only becoming strong, but “strong at the broken places.”

This presentation will include a showing of the documentary short story “Strong at the Broken Places” produced by the Oscar-winning Cambridge Documentary Films.  After a brief discussion of the film, Aaron Antonovsky’s “salutogenic” (strengths-focused) model for resiliency will be presented as well as the characteristics that help survivors overcome trauma. We will explore our deep reserves of resiliency and meaning in our work.  Based on the work of Sandra Bloom’s Sanctuary Model, Laura Lipsky’s work on Trauma Stewardship and humorous experimental exercises, we will leave the day renewed. The workshop will benefit mental health providers, educators and case managers working with youth and families experiencing trauma, adoption or other attachment challenges. The format includes lecture, discussion, case examples and experiential exercises.

Objectives:

• Analyze Aaron Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence Model on resiliency in traumatized people
• Identify and explore five characteristics of resiliency
• To learn the difference between a salutogenic (health-focused) and a pathogenic (disease -focused) approach to therapeutic interventions.

Schedule:

9:00 -10:00 Analyze Aaron Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence Model on resiliency
10:00-11:00 Explore five characteristics of resiliency
11:00:11:15 BREAK
11:15-1:00 Apply Laura Lipsky’s model of trauma stewardship to enhance resiliency

About the Speaker:

Linda T. (Lynn) Sanford, LICSW began her career working with victims of sexual assault, and worked for 20 years with youth who have been convicted of crimes against people (e.g., homicide, attempted homicide, and multiple sexual assaults). She has taught at various graduate schools of social work in Massachusetts, achieving the rank of Professor of Practice in 2009. Sanford received the Massachusetts National Association of Social Workers “Outstanding Contribution to Social Work Practice Award” and the Devereux Foundation “Legacy of Caring Award” in 2010. She is the author of Strong at the Broken Places: Building Resiliency in the Lives of Survivors (1990, 2004) and The Silent Children (1980).