Building Community Resilience to Trauma in Seminole Heights: A Collaborative Report
Trauma-debriefing courses given to mental health professionals working in Seminole Heights.
Description:
Seminole Heights mental health professionals work in a traumagenic neighborhood. Three trauma-debriefing courses were given to 43 community counselors, key community leaders, school counselors, social workers and psychologists. The agencies involved included the USF Counselor Education program, the USF School of Social Work, the USF International Traumatology Institute, Metropolitan Ministries, The Life Center, and the Hillsborough County Public School system.
Participants were provided with pre and post training assessments. The post-test scores revealed significant decreases in intrusion, avoidance, and anxiety. Participants revealed that some of the benefits of the training included a greater understanding of the effect of trauma on the brain, how trauma affects the clients as well as the treatment team, and what actions should be taken. The courses also include an opportunity for co-leading a debriefing group which provided practical experience in using the concepts introduced.
The recommendations of the report included training for mental health professionals and the development of community networks of trained professionals.
Contact Person: Jennifer Baggerly
Funding for Academic Year: 2004-05