Perseverance and Resilience through a Somatosensory Lens
Presented by
Sally Carman, OTR/LThe ‘marathon trauma’ brought about by the Covid pandemic has left behind enduring brain changes affecting us all, particularly those in helping professions. Necessary adaptations in both personal and professional lives, increased stress felt by ourselves and our clients, altered family needs and schedules, and multiple other factors have contributed to pieces of a long-term, ever-changing, and uncertain puzzle.
Overview
The ‘marathon trauma’ brought about by the Covid pandemic has left behind enduring brain changes affecting us all, particularly those in helping professions. Necessary adaptations in both personal and professional lives, increased stress felt by ourselves and our clients, altered family needs and schedules, and multiple other factors have contributed to pieces of a long-term, ever-changing, and uncertain puzzle.
As we walk along the path towards a re-invented ‘normal,’ this post-traumatic stress continues to intrude in subtle or not-so-subtle ways. Learning the brain’s methods of adapting to long-term stress opens the door to understanding our behavioral responses. How else can we manage our unique reactions to PTSD? Repeatedly we hear the word “resilience,” what does that really mean?
Without stepping out of ‘real life,’ learn to develop strength-based perspectives and attitudes towards moving forward. Through a somatosensory lens, learn practical, evidence-based coping strategies that can be readily implemented in everyday practice, bringing us all a sense of wholeness and balance. Awareness of the need for focus on self-compassion leads to power – and peace – so we can connect more readily with ourselves and our clients as well.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
To promote increased understanding of the brain’s response to ‘marathon trauma’ (Covid pandemic), including concepts of the ‘predictive brain’ and the importance of ‘felt safety’ for ourselves and our clients.
To provide an expanded definition of ACEs — and how these adverse experiences have now affected virtually everyone.
To define and explain the important and foundational (and lesser understood) aspects of sensory processing – proprioception, vestibular, and interoceptive senses – as well as salient points around overall sensory integration and processing.
To define true resilience through the framework of Resilience Building Blocks (from Community Resilience Initiative). These fundamentals build a solid foundation for the capacity to thrive in spite of inevitable challenges ahead.
To emphasize the necessity and significance of self-compassion, despite everyday demands and pressures — especially for those in helping professions, but applicable to clients/students as well.
To identify and promote the application of specific and practical tools and techniques directed towards self-compassion for immediate use with ourselves and our clients, notably through a somatosensory lens.
About the Presenter
Sally is a requested trainer and consultant for school educators in both the United States and Mexico, for adoption agency/foster care placement organizations, and many others. Her work is pertinent for therapists, counselors, educators, social workers, court-appointed advocates, parents, and all medical caregivers. An Occupational Therapist who has worked for over 40 years with both children and adults, her employment includes 14 years in acute hospital mental/behavioral health units. She has also served as a Clinical Adjunct professor, instructing and supervising fieldwork for Occupational Therapy graduate program at University of Puget Sound, Tacoma WA. Sally was also Owner/Director of Center for Therapeutic Intervention in Gig Harbor WA, a multi-therapist pediatric clinic, where she continues to consult and train therapists. She also provides assessments, training, and consultation at Pasos Adelante, Puerto Vallarta, a neuro-psychological clinic treating those of all ages. Faculty and administration at the American School of Puerto Vallarta frequently call upon Sally for consultation, professional development presentations, and to provide her own module of Wellness classes for middle/high school students. Sally’s particular focus as an Occupational Therapist is strength-based treatment with children, teens and adults affected by trauma and adverse experiences; this includes families with foster and adopted children. She uses a wide variety of sensorimotor tools, interpersonal skill training, and caregiver education/support to enhance improved function and resilience building. Her professional experience is supplemented by her personal role as the parent of four children, including two adopted children who joined her family at the ages of five and twelve years old. Sally received an undergraduate degree in English from Duke University and a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy from University of Pennsylvania. She received a post-masters Certificate in Attachment-Focused Therapy in Seattle WA, and is a lifelong learner. She has trained orphanage staff in Cebu, Philippines, and was chosen as a KIRO radio “Hometown Hero” in 2015. Sally Carman provides client consultation, and designs individualized presentations/webinars for organizations interested in topics noted below. To check for availability, she can be reached at scarmanotr@gmail.com and 253.227.0550.