The Impact of Traumatic Stress on People Experiencing Homelessness

Overview: T.S. Elliot writes, “In my beginning is my end.” According to the Adverse Childhood Experiences study (Felitti & Anda, 2014), early childhood trauma is far more common than recognized or acknowledged and these experiences have a far-reaching impact on later adult health and well-being. Whether trauma – of an interpersonal, environmental, historical, insidious, or intergenerational nature – occurs in childhood or later on in adult life, its effects can be profound and enduring. While the role of trauma in the lives of people accessing housing and other social services is significant, traumatic experience often goes underreported, unaddressed, and untreated. Homelessness is not only traumatic, it can be lethal. This webcast will explore the intersections between homelessness and trauma, what this means for the people with whom we work, and for the work we are invited to do on their behalf. We will consider different definitions of trauma as a lens through which to understand the experience of homelessness and the multiple pathways that exist between these experiences. Following an exploration of trauma and its effects, we will introduce trauma-informed care as a framework for responding to the needs of trauma survivors and relevant implications for service delivery.

Presenter Bio: Scott R. Petersen, LCSW, CAC-III, is a faculty member and trauma specialist at the Center for Social Innovation and maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Denver, CO. He has been working with people affected by mental health conditions, substance use, and trauma for more than 20 years as an outreach worker, case manager, psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and program director. He is currently a member of the Colorado Society for Clinical Social Work (CSCSW), the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), and a trainer for the National Council for Behavioral Health Trauma-Informed Learning Community. He was a content expert for the recent revision of SAMHSA’s Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) KIT. Scott previously served as a therapist for an NIH-funded study investigating the efficacy of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), Adjunct Faculty at Grant Hospital’s Clinical Training Program for Addictions Counselors, a Lecturer at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work – where he also coordinated the Trauma Studies Certificate program and received the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2013.

Webinar: http://auch.adobeconnect.com/p8wv5sc8ozg/

Conference Line: 1.866.491.2995

User Pin: 354 720 9176

Start Date + Time August 31, 2016 @ 12:00 pm
End Date + Time August 31, 2016 @ 1:00 pm