Mindfulness Treatment with Torture and Trauma Clients at STARTTS (Case study)
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Gordana Hol-Radicic |
The focus of the lecture was to present a case study on “Mindfulness Treatment with Torture and Trauma Survivors at the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)”.
A female, 45 year old client presented with strong emotions and symptoms associated with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). Her emotional responses were on a continuum between anxiety/panic attacks to symptoms related to Major Depressive Disorder, while she was crying, being fearful and experiencing agitation and anger outbursts.
In order for the client to become able to control her feelings, which was presented to be a major difficulty, the contract based on Mindfulness Therapy was made. The aim of mindfulness therapy was based on the fact that the client expressed willingness learning to be aware of her thoughts and bodily sensations and in doing so being able to better cope with day to day emotions and problems. In other words, Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way: on purpose in the present moment and non- judgmentally." (Kabat-Zinn, 2003, p. 145). Mindfulness therapy was based on a) Meta-cognitive awareness of one’s thoughts as a central to mindfulness training (Cayoun, 2005); perceiving thought (Teasdale, 1999) with no evaluation or judgement; and b) Interoception related to “Being mindful” and “Aware “ of bodily sensations.
The therapy comprised of : One minute exercise, Mindful Eating and Walking, Body Scan, Diaphragm breathing, Various breathing exercise and Desensitisation based on two models: a) “Being Model” focusing on: Noticing, Allowing, Accepting, Experimental, Understanding and paying Wide Awareness) and b) “Doing Model” focusing on: Achieving, Solving, Efficiency and concentrating on focus of awareness.
The evaluation of the client’s psychological state revealed benefits of Mindfulness related to a) Stability of Mind, b) Flexibility of Mind, c) Self awareness and d) Acting rather than reacting, while some of client’s symptoms disappeared and others were significantly reduced. Conflit of interest: none disclosed
Recorded at the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)
August 2008, New South Wales, Australia.
Visit STARTTS at : www.STARTTS.org.au
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Gordana Hol-Radicic
 other talks by the speaker
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Gordana Hol-Radicic
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Gordana Hol is a Clinical Psychologist and one of the Team Leaders of the NSW Service for the Treatment And Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS). Knowledge and skills she possesses have been acquired over years. Her Masters Degree, in Clinical Psychology, ongoing trainings and 26 years of experience as a clinician, have allowed her greater understanding of psychological assessment and appropriate treatment for specific mental health disorders, including a complex presentation of torture and trauma survivors that are Gordana’s main professional interest in the last 15 years.
Gordana is able to utilise various therapeutic approaches in the group and individual treatment of STARTTS’ clients from diverse age groups: children, adolescents, adults and elderly. As a highly qualified professional she has been employed by the international organisations, and internationally recognised mental health institutions: the United Nation High Commission for Human Right (UNHCR)- Mental Health Department, Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) – Netherlands and USA International Rescue Committee-Mental Health Unit.
Currently Gordana is employed by STARTTS as a Clinical Psychologist/Psychotherapist. She is also a Team Leader of 10 counsellors. As a Senior Clinical Supervisor she provides ongoing supervision and training to STARTTS counsellors, as well as mental health professionals within health areas and school. Gordana contributes to STARTTS clinical training and participates in a delivery of the clinical topic, sharing her knowledge with clinicians and mental health professional that are supporting and treating torture and trauma survivors.
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