Assisting Clients to Internally Repair Family Dynamic Injuries

Session Description: Family dynamics are often the vehicle for self-incrimination, substance use and ongoing dysfunction in one’s present relationships. While traditional addiction treatment addresses the symptoms of self- and relational-destruction via substances, the traumas left in its’ wake may remain. By expanding treatment to consciously integrate a family systems framework into recovery protocols, mind/body approaches can be integrated more effectively and address the deep wounds that often drive addictive behaviors. Teaching clients the first three components of the SPATS framework, SPA (Structure, Process, and Assessment) front loads the conceptualizations that later allow emotions to be understood and processed. With SPA support, the inner healer (sometimes revealed through EMDR, breath work, psychedelic medicine, etc.) exposes the knots, scar tissue and habitual patterns from family injuries, allowing for meaningful change. Preparing this “observer consciousness” strengthens the client’s ability to turn towards and accept both the dark pain and the lightness beyond. Attendees will learn how to integrate SPA with various therapeutic modalities and processing styles in order to weave together cognitive, emotional, and body-based knowledge. Attendees can expect to apply SPA personally in the workshop in order to better understand the application to their clientele.