Traumainformált csoportos tanácsadás szerhasználó nőknek - Megvalósíthatósági vizsgálatok eredményei és feladatgyűjtemény

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Trauma-Informed Group Counseling for Women with Substance Use: Feasibility Studies and Activity Toolkit

Summary

Composition of the handbookThe handbook consists of two main parts: the first is titled “Trauma-Informed Group Counseling for Women Who Use Substances and Feasibility and Impact Assessments.” This section discusses the theoretical foundations of trauma-informed group counseling and the impact assessments of the first implementation in Hungary for women who use substances. It presents the basic concepts of trauma-informed group counseling, international knowledg available so far, and the results of impact assessments conducted by the research team, which support the effectiveness of the trauma-informed approach.The second part is titled “The Trauma-Informed Group for Girls and Women Who Use Substances: Group Design and Task Collection.” This section provides a detailed practical guide for planning and conducting trauma-informed groups for girls and women who use substances. It includes a collection of tasks to assist group facilitators in applying various therapeutic exercises and interventions to support participants' recovery effectively.The first chapter of the first part is an introductory study titled “Trauma-Informed Group Counseling for Girls and Women Who Use Substances: Theoretical Approaches,” which discusses the theoretical foundations of trauma, the trauma-informed approach, substance use, and the therapeutic factors in group therapy. Trauma encompasses a series of events that threaten an individual's physical or mental integrity and cause severe emotional distress. The long-term effects of traumatic experiences include PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), C-PTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder), and other psychological disorders. Interpersonal and attachment-related traumas have particularly profound effects on mental health, influencing individuals' relational and attachment patterns. The essence of the trauma-informed approach is that helping professionals recognize and consider the effects of traumaon clients' lives. This approach ensures a safe environment where clients can regain a sense ofcontrol and develop coping strategies. The six core principles of the trauma-informed approach are safety, trust, support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity (SAMSHA, 2023). Trauma often leads to substance use, as individuals attempt to cope with traumatic experiences and the accompanying emotional pain. Substance use can bring short-term relief but, in the long run, exacerbates mental and physical health issues. For women who use substances, recognizing and addressing the connections between trauma and substance use is particularly important. Group therapy encompasses several therapeutic factors that promote healing. According to Yalom (2001), these include universality, altruism, cohesion, interpersonal learning, cathartic experiences, and corrective emotional experiences.Group therapy provides an opportunity for participants to share their experiences, support each other, and acquire new coping strategies. This chapter provides a detailed account of how these theoretical approaches integrate into trauma-informed group counseling, with particular attention to the specific needs of girls and women who use substances. The goal is to enable participants to work through their traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment and embark on the path to recovery during group therapy.The second chapter of the first part presents the theoretical models, methodology, ethical research dilemmas, and assessment tools of the framework study. Our research questions were answered within the framework of post-positivist mixed-method action research, which allowed the combination of various data collection and analysis methods to provide a comprehensive picture of the impact of trauma-informed group sessions. The dynamic nature of action research enabled continuous adaptation and intervention development throughout the research process in response to participants' feedback and needs. The European drug prevention quality standards were used as a structural basis for designing the intervention and the study.The subchapters of the second chapter present the results of the initial impact assessments.The first subchapter, “Traumatic Symptoms and Experiences in the Trauma-Informed Group,” focuses on how trauma manifests in symptoms and how a trauma-informed group can help participants recognize and manage these symptoms. This chapter demonstrates the dynamics of the group and the importance of community processing of individual experiences.The second subchapter, “The Need to Restore Safety and a Sense of Control,” emphasizes how essential a safe environment and the restoration of a sense of control are for traumatized individuals. Meeting these fundamental needs is crucial for trauma processing and mental health recovery.The third subchapter, “The Impact of Trauma-Informed Groups on Coping Mechanisms,” details how participation in trauma-informed groups affects the development of coping strategies. During group therapy, participants can acquire new, more effective coping mechanisms that aid in the long-term management of trauma. The fourth subchapter, “The Group as a Therapeutic Factor in Trauma-Informed Groups,” examines the therapeutic effects of the group itself. Community support, shared experiences,and mutual learning all contribute to participants' healing process. This chapter also presentsthe results of studies conducted in 2019 and 2020 and compares the findings. Finally, the fifth subchapter focuses on the examination of social support. Social support in the lives of participants is realized through connections to the institutional community, family members, friends, and significant others. The study explores how participants experience social support and its impact on their recovery, particularly through communal experiences and a sense of belonging, which aid in the development of self-esteem and empathy, as well as reducing feelings of isolation.The purpose of these chapters is to provide a comprehensive overview of the significance andeffectiveness of trauma-informed groups for individuals who have experienced trauma.

Results of the studyDuring the studies, we sought to understand how participants experience trauma symptoms in a trauma-informed group setting and observe any changes in the intensity and management of these symptoms as the sessions progressed. Over time, participants learned to better recognize and manage symptoms stemming from their traumatic experiences. Through the sessions, they developed new coping mechanisms that helped alleviate these symptoms, leading to a gradual reduction in the frequency and intensity of their emotional responses associated with trauma. The restoration of a sense of safety and control was also a key focus of the study. The supportive environment of the group sessions significantly contributed to the participants feeling safe and gradually regaining control over their lives. This accepting atmosphere reinforced the belief that regaining control over their daily lives was achievable, and thisfeeling grew stronger as they progressed through the group work. The trauma-informed group had a substantial impact on the participants’ coping strategies as well. Previous avoidant and suppressive strategies were increasingly replaced by more active and conscious coping techniques, leading to greater mental resilience. As a result, participants became more effective in managing stress and emotional challenges, contributing to an overall increase in their psychological resilience.The group itself served as a critical therapeutic factor in the healing process. It provided a safe space for participants to share and process their emotions. Particularly important therapeutic elements were group cohesion and the sense of universality, which helped participants realize they were not alone in their struggles. This reduced feelings of isolation and provided a supportive environment. According to the group leaders, these therapeutic factors were essential for the success of the healing process.The importance of social support was especially pronounced in the group, as it significantly influenced the participants' recovery process. Group members provided mutual support, boosting each other’s confidence and reinforcing their willingness to confront their individual challenges. Sharing common experiences and difficulties allowed participants to gain a better understanding of their own situations and draw strength from their peers’ stories and experiences.In summary, trauma-informed group counseling proved effective in alleviating trauma symptoms, restoring a sense of safety and control among participants, and fostering new coping strategies that provide ongoing support in daily life. The group had a profound impact on establishing safety through social support and deepening self-awareness, promising long-term positive effects for the participants.