MODULE SIX
TRAUMA
Presented by John Gosling and Charlotte Hoffman
“Neuroscience research shows that the only way we can change the way we feel is by becoming aware of our inner experience and learning to befriend what is going inside ourselves.”
DESCRIPTION
Every human is subjected to various forms and degrees of trauma throughout their lives –emotional, physical, and sexual trauma; separation and loss – to name a few. Unacknowledged and unprocessed trauma profoundly changes our neurophysiology, brains, minds, and bodies. These trauma imprints have ongoing consequences for how we manage to survive in the present. We also live in a society that is deeply traumatised. We will examine the effects of unexplored and unprocessed trauma – how it affects our inner world and our relationships. We will also explore the influence of collective trauma and its devastating effect. Intergenerational trauma will also be investigated. We will devote attention to the treatment options available emphasizing recent advances that allow processing and recovery from trauma much more effectively.
PRESENTERS
John Gosling and Charlotte Hoffman
SEMINAR DATES
- October 1 – Introduction
- October 7 – Unexplored and unprocessed trauma
- October 14 – Psychic defences evoked by trauma
- October 21 – Treatment options
- October 28 – Group discussion and short film
SEMINAR CONTENT
October 1: Introduction
Discussion of the various types of traumas, including traumatic incidents like rape, motor vehicle accidents etc., and childhood trauma of neglect and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, early relational trauma, transgenerational trauma, and societal trauma.
October 7: Unexplored and unprocessed trauma
Discussion of how unprocessed trauma affects the architectural structure of the brain resulting in the constellation of a trauma complex that changes our brains, minds, and bodies.
October 14: Psychic defences evoked by trauma
Discussion of psychic defences to trauma including dissociation, denial, avoidance, false self, etc., including the work of Donald Kalshed
October 21: Treatment options
Discussion of treatment options including recent advances and an archetypal perspective of trauma treatment (Roger Brooks) with resources and additional tools that support treatment.
October 28: Group discussion and short film
A short film, “Breaking the Silence of Childhood Trauma” [1] followed by a discussion, processing of the experience of the course, integration of the material and wrap up.
REQUIRED READING
- Van Der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma. Penguin Random House.
- Brooke, R. (2012). An Archetypal Perspective for Combat Trauma. Bulletin of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology. 13 (1), 2-7.
MORE ABOUT THE PRESENTERS:
John Gosling is a psychiatrist and Jungian analyst who trained at the C.G. Jung Institute of New York and returned to Cape Town in 2004. He is a past- president of SAAJA and is also a training analyst. He has a special interest in dreams, complexes, archetypes, early trauma, and how psychoneurobiology informs our work and approach to psyche.
Charlotte Hoffman is a Clinical Psychologist and Jungian Analyst practising in Green Point, Cape Town. She has been in private practice for the past twenty-seven years and works extensively with trauma and intergenerational trauma, among other mental health issues. She remains deeply concerned about the intergenerational trauma caused by South Africa’s troubled history of colonialism and Apartheid and the need for South Africans to heal past and present psychological damage, and work towards creating an equal and non-racist society. She is a member of the International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP) and Southern African Association of Jungian Analysts (SAAJA), serves on SAAJA’s Media and Executive Committees, and is a Diversity Group participant.
End of Certificate Course
[1] Image Credit: https://www.canadianarttherapy.org/envisage/envisage-spring-2021-chaudhary-samant
[2] Bessel A. van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma