NSU Health’s Trauma Resolution and Integration Program provides specialized psychological services to individuals age 18+ who have been exposed to traumatic situations and are currently experiencing problems functioning. Some examples of traumatic situations/events include:
- a history of child abuse and neglect
- combat trauma, other war-related trauma
- intimate partner violence, domestic violence
- physical assault
- sexual assault, unwanted sexual experiences
- military sexual trauma
- natural disasters
- political torture
- community disasters
- life-threatening accident or injury
Whether or not they have experienced a traumatic incident, we also treat individuals age 18+ with dissociative experiences that disturb them or that interfere with their ability to function effectively.
We also offer specialized affirmative care for individuals identifying as sexual and/or gender minorities (e.g., LGBTQI+) and who have experienced traumatic events.
Areas of Specialization
Trauma
Living through traumatic events – ones that involve witnessing first hand or facing the threat of sudden violent death, serious physical injury, or sexual violation – can lead to serious long-term difficulties, including:
- reliving the traumatic event in the form of unwanted repeated recollections, vivid flashbacks, nightmares, or physiological reactions
- avoidance of circumstances that act as reminders of the traumatic event
- periodic or constant anxiety, anger, shame, guilt, etc.
- difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, irritability
- substance abuse
- depression
- difficulty in relationships
Dissociation
The term "dissociation" refers to a range of experiences that are common among survivors of trauma, although they can be caused by factors other than trauma as well. Examples of dissociation include:
- "spacing" or blanking out, having difficulty sustaining awareness of or staying focused in the present;
- extensive forgetting and significant gaps in memory;
- not being able to account for significant periods of time in the recent past, ranging from minutes to hours to days;
- not feeling real, not feeling "like oneself," feelings as if you are watching yourself from outside your body, feelings as if our surroundings are not real;
- finding evidence of or being told by other people about having recently engaged in activities of which you have no recollection.
Sexual and Gender Minority Affirmative Care
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals encompass anyone who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, non-binary, and/or questioning. SGM individuals are at increased rates for traumatization, victimization, suicide, and other adverse experiences and outcomes.
Each of the TRIP practicum students has received specialty training in the area of trauma and trauma-related disorders, dissociation, and affirmative care principles in working with the LGBTQ+ community. This includes training in both assessment and providing flexible, and creative treatment aimed at targeting often persistent difficulties.
Clinical Services
- comprehensive psychological assessment and therapy for trauma-related and dissociative disorder diagnoses
- routine outcome monitoring to determine treatment effectiveness
- individual and group therapy
- couples and family therapy
Group Services
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)—This group helps participants cultivate a mastery of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive stability through four skills modules (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness).
- Male-Identifying Survivors of Trauma Group—Based on the Contextual Trauma Therapy model, this group helps with understanding the impact of trauma on one’s identity and masculinity, learning stress-related coping skills, addressing feelings of shame and guilt, building strong relationships with family and friends, dealing with the societal impacts of being a male trauma survivor, and creating stability in times of chaos.
- Sexual-and-Gender-Minority-Identifying Survivors of Trauma Group (SGM)—This group operates from a trauma-informed affirmative care model, highlights strengths, explores how trauma affects one’s sense of identity, and empowers individuals to express themselves safely and assertively.
- Women Survivors of Trauma Group - Based on the Contextual Trauma Model this group helps with understanding the impact of trauma on one’s identity and womanhood, learning stress-related coping skills, addressing feelings of shame and guilt, building strong relationships, and dealing with the societal impacts of being a woman.
Community and Consultation Services
We provide workshops and trainings for professionals in the community on topics related to trauma and trauma treatment, dissociation, LGBTQ+ affirmative care, trauma-informed care, as well as vicarious traumatization.
Contact Us
TRIP Clinic Coordinator: 954-262-5851