Start Date
13-4-2021 4:00 PM
End Date
13-4-2021 7:00 PM
Description
This study was conducted as part of the student’s senior field practicum experience at the Montgomery County Women’s Center (MCWC) during the Spring 2020 semester. Current literature identifies symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (such as stress and anxiety) to be consistent with symptoms experienced by survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). As noted by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, a leading expert in the treatment of complex trauma, the goal in treating those who experience symptoms related to PTSD with mindfulness techniques is to help those individuals learn to live and function in the present, without being held captive to feelings associated with occurrences in the past. As additional substantiation regarding the effects of mindfulness techniques, and as noted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), trauma informed yoga is a validated treatment for complex trauma.
The intent of the research conducted at the MCWC was to review the benefits of a trauma informed mindfulness intervention t hat reduces symptoms of stress and anxiety experienced by program participants. The training was provided by a certified sexual assault advocate and registered yoga teacher. The intervention participants included 2 5 women who leveraged services at the MCWC facilities and who volunteered to participate in a 3 week trauma informed yoga and mindfulness pilot program. Pre and posttest feedback from qualitative surveys was reviewed and analyzed for the agency project. The expected outcome was to provide the women with more effective coping mechanisms for managing stress and anxiety. Results indicate that the participants experienced fewer PTSD symptoms when involved in the trauma informed mindfulness intervention.
Tell us how this article helped you.
A Program Review of Trauma-informed Mindfulness: An Alternative Treatment Program for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
This study was conducted as part of the student’s senior field practicum experience at the Montgomery County Women’s Center (MCWC) during the Spring 2020 semester. Current literature identifies symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (such as stress and anxiety) to be consistent with symptoms experienced by survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). As noted by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, a leading expert in the treatment of complex trauma, the goal in treating those who experience symptoms related to PTSD with mindfulness techniques is to help those individuals learn to live and function in the present, without being held captive to feelings associated with occurrences in the past. As additional substantiation regarding the effects of mindfulness techniques, and as noted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), trauma informed yoga is a validated treatment for complex trauma.
The intent of the research conducted at the MCWC was to review the benefits of a trauma informed mindfulness intervention t hat reduces symptoms of stress and anxiety experienced by program participants. The training was provided by a certified sexual assault advocate and registered yoga teacher. The intervention participants included 2 5 women who leveraged services at the MCWC facilities and who volunteered to participate in a 3 week trauma informed yoga and mindfulness pilot program. Pre and posttest feedback from qualitative surveys was reviewed and analyzed for the agency project. The expected outcome was to provide the women with more effective coping mechanisms for managing stress and anxiety. Results indicate that the participants experienced fewer PTSD symptoms when involved in the trauma informed mindfulness intervention.
Comments
Faculty Sponsor: Carrie Butler (Social Work)