Healing Trauma in the Path to Recovery: Trauma and Addiction a Gestalt Approach

Course overview

LIVE WEBINAR April 26, May 3, May 17, May 24, May 31, June 7, 2025 Traumatic childhood and life events shape the way an individuals see themselves and the world which has a direct impact on relationships, self-perception, coping skills, self-esteem, etc. Unfortunately, a common and initially effective way of managing the impact of trauma and adjusting to the world is through addictive behaviors. They provide temporary relief and anesthetize emotional and relational pain. Presenter Bio: Rafael Cortina is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples, families and groups. Rafael has a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and a Masters in Business Administration. He is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Gestalt Therapist and a Certified Gestalt Couples Therapist and specialized training on EMDR, TRM, addiction treatment and trauma work. He is currently an Adjunct Faculty Member at National University, Chief Education Officer at the West Coast Mindfulness Institute, and Newsletter Editor/Board Member at the International Association of Advancement in Gestalt Therapy. He is the former lead faculty at the Instituto de Psicoterapia Gestalt Humanista in Tijuana, MX, as well as presenter and facilitator of several workshops in international conferences and supervision in Mexico, United States, Australia, and Europe. Timeline: April 26, 2025 3 hrs. Module 1: Understanding Trauma and Addiction from a gestalt perspective. May 3, 2025 3 hrs. Module 2: Assessment and nervous system regulation. May 17, 2025 3 hrs. Module 3: Resources Development and supporting early sobriety. May 24, 2025 3 hrs. Module 4: Treatment model Part 1. May 31, 2025 3 hrs. Module 5: Treatment model Part 2. June 7, 2025 3 hrs. Module 6: Groups, Couples, and family work. Learning Objectives: 1. Explain the phases of addiction and the nature of trauma from a gestalt therapy approach. 2. Recognize how the arousal cycle and stress response informs current trauma and addiction treatment. 3. Explain the theory and practice of Gestalt Therapy trauma and addiction treatment planning. 4. Recall a gestalt therapy based of conceptualizing addictive behaviors as creative adaptations to dysfunctional environments. 5. Explain the role of varied brain structures in symptomatic expression of trauma and addictive behavior. 6. Identify how compulsive behavior can function as creative adjustment and the impact on adult behavior and relationships. 7. Recognize the application of the Polyvagal Theory to treatment of trauma and addiction therapeutic work. 8. Explain how to help clients access emotional states through body awareness. 9. Compare the benefit of 12-step groups in comparison to other treatment modalities. 10. Describe the relationship between varied personality parts and facilitate effective integration of disconnected aspects of personality. 11. Explain how Emotional Freedom Techniques can be used to reduce effects of intergenerational trauma by combining tapping with relational approaches. 12. Demonstrate two methods of grounding a client in session informed by the Polyvagal theory and Trauma Resiliency Model. 13 Explain the implementation of Tri-Phase Model of Trauma Therapy within the therapy. 14. Recognize the application of gestalt therapy in creating a safe environment for exploration in relationships. To register for this LIVE WEBINAR please contact rafael@gestalttherapysd.com.