Collective Trauma: Practical Strategies for Working Somatically in Times of Change – Manuela Mischke-Reeds

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We live in a time of collective trauma. It is a shared experience that impacts the psychological and somatic health for both clients and therapist. The trauma therapist experiences the same systemic and societal forces as the clients they work with. The ongoing nature of the collective stress can feel groundless and can lead to overwhelm, hopelessness and bodily disconnect. This presentation will provide clinical tips on how to utilize somatic interventions for both client and therapist. We will examine the impact of collective trauma on the therapist-client work and how to apply a mindset towards resiliency. Through understanding the importance of somatic intelligence, a concrete pathway towards more compassionate capacity becomes available.

1. Apply three essential somatic tools to apply in their existing practice. 
2. Compose a personal trauma narrative within the collective trauma context in order to better relate to clients’ narratives. 
3. Determine the larger role that collective trauma plays within our client’s lives.

The Interconnected Nature of Trauma 

• Trauma is not just an individual story 
• The therapist’s job as interconnected to the societal forces 
• Seeing ones helping capacity as interdependent

Somatic Intelligence

• Key somatic techniques to reconnect with one’s innate somatic knowledge, through key practices
• Foster emotional resilience for both the clinician and client 
• Enhance the capacity for emotional resilience