Facing Forward, a peer facilitated trauma recovery workshop


“FACING FORWARD”©

In Trauma Recovery

“Facing Forward“ A Trauma Recovery Workshop Program.


WE ARE NOT ALONE


1 in 5 90% TRAUMA OCCURS WHEN AN EXTERNAL

THREAT OVERWHELMS A PERSONS COPING RESOURCES.

THERE ARE MANY WAYS IN WHICH A PERSON CAN BECOME TRAUMATIZED.

ONE PERSON’S TRAUMA IS NEITHER GREATER, NOR LESS, THAN ANOTHER PERSON’S TRAUMA IN ITS POTENTIAL IMPACT.

WE CAN HEAL FROM TRAUMA AND ITS EFFECTS.


Feeling drowned in the tide


NATURAL REACTIONS Trauma brings many things that are hurtful.

When we experience traumatic circumstances we find ways to adapt guided by our concepts of ourselves and the world around us.

We often unknowingly choose our adaptations, though sometimes when those choices seem to protect us they may instead be harmful to us.

There are also mind adaptations that come to us unbidden through no choice of our own.


UNBIDDEN ADAPTATIONS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE HOW IT WAS “DEFINED” Unrelenting Fear Agonizing Emotions Feeling Threatened Rage/Punished/Pain Constant Alert/Doubt Fading Away/Empty Wrong in the Body Invaded/Different Untouchable/Odd

PTSD Anxiety Disorders Eating Disorders Personality Disorders Etc.


IS THIS WHO WE REALLY ARE?

If we, as trauma survivors, turn back the fear, anger, shame and guilt, through

validation and true understanding, we may begin to see that these painful effects belong

on the trauma and are not part of who we really are.


A LOSS OF CONTROLThe first loss of trauma is the loss

ofControl

The loss of our inherent right to choose


When loss of control becomes the familiar in our lives


ADAPTATIONS NOT SYMPTOMS, RESILIENCY NOT PATHOLOGY

Looking beyond a diagnosis to

“Acknowledge” the people we really are


Trauma Adaptations and Choice

Normal Reactions to Abnormal Circumstances

If we could make sense of how our past experiences relate to how we think, what we do and why it is so difficult to overcome our mental health challenges, could we find the keys to reach lasting recovery and take back the control?


THERE IS HOPE IN THE DARKNESS


IF YOU COULD DEFINE RECOVERY FOR YOU, WHAT

WOULD IT LOOK LIKE ?Do you want to feel better and be happy?

Do you want more good things in your life?

Do you think recovery is possible for you? .

WE BELIEVE IT IS!


RECOVERY FLOWS FROM MANY DIRECTIONS


Common Recovery Values HOPE

INDIVIDUALITY

SELF-AWARENESS

SELF-DETERMINATION

MEANINGFUL LIFE

RESPECT

PEER SUPPORT

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

SELF-ADVOCACY

SET NO LIMITS


A PEOPLE OF STRENGTHS


I AM SLEEK SWIFT THRIFTY STRONG HANDSOME COURAGEOUS GENEROUS CREATIVE COMPASSIONATE POSITIVE RESILIENT NOT PERFECT


Appreciating the Wholeness of One Self


If I were a lonely palm tree


Building and Accessing a Support Network

BUILDING SUPPORT ACCESSING SUPPORT Finding people to

connect with within the community

Making a connection Developing common

interest interactions Building Trust Offering mutual

support

Gathering support for life issues

Your kind of supporter Accessing supporters

effectively Learning where your

supporter’s strengths can most benefit you

Reciprocate Support


RECOVERY PRACTICES Art Writing Scented Candles Music Enjoying Nature Biking Swimming Reading Fiction Smiling & Laughing Learning new things Whole-Self Awareness Focusing on Positives

Speaking Out Asking for Help Acknowledging

Strengths Peer Support Spirituality Belonging to

Community Thinking Things Through Practicing Creative

Release Creating Positives


Believing in Possibilities


I opened my eyes wider and found I could

be so muchMore


HOW DO WE MAKE IT HAPPEN?With persistence

Each step in your own timeWith people who Believe in You

We can do it by..


Taking Control of Change

It is not an easy task to Face Forward.

Change is not without pain and doubt, yet, when we face change with the power of understanding it becomes less frightening.

We weigh the advantages and disadvantages of what may come from change, yet change is inevitable.


Create the Positive Change You Want in Your Life

Hold the Hope Project & Respond to positives in your life Keep your mind open for opportunities to get

what you want in life. Accept what you cannot change Change only what you want to change Seek supportive people who believe in you

and Your Chosen Path.


IT IS POSSIBLE TO HEAL Trust in Yourself,

Believe, and…


BeginningsHow did this workshop idea come about?


Why a Peer facilitatedworkshop?

Who is the Expert on traumatic experience?

Information is a Powerful Tool.

Shared Experience can make it easier.

Trust and Understanding is key.

Peer Support Works.


“This is a great idea, BUT….”

What if people get triggered? What if people start having flashbacks? What if people get suicidal? What if people dissociate? What if the facilitators get triggered? What if people get angry or … What if, what if, what if…

“What if we can support each other to heal?”


Melt the Ice of Isolation


PANDORA'S BOXThe Shadows that grew out of

Pandora’s Box


Grieving Trauma Denial Evasion Anger Fear Shame Guilt Pain Numbing Weeping Acceptance Forgiveness Letting Go

In the process of grieving our trauma, we move through these emotions in our own way.

Grief comes up as unexpected as the trauma event did.

In Facing Forward, we hope to come to accept what happened, find forgiveness where we can, for ourselves and in understanding others. By practicing creative release, with support and self care, we find healing.


If we share it togetherwe will bring it’s shadows to light.

It can and will get better.


CLARITY VALIDATION TRUST

Clarify Take out Labels and Judgments

Focus on Strengths Add New Possibilities

Add New OptionsListenAccept

Facing Forward, a peer facilitated trauma recovery workshop

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