Traumatic Incident Reduction Association

News from around the world about Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) theory, practice, research

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Learning the The True Strength of Children

The True Strength of Children

Boy with telescopeHow often have we heard, “Children are resilient”?  As Dr, Bruce Perry says, “Children are not resilient; they are malleable.” (Of an object, malleable means “able to be changed in shape by force or pressure”; of a child it is used to mean “impressionable, adaptable”.)

Not too long ago it was believed that trauma was relatively inconsequential for children, as they were thought to “forget it”, or “get over it”.  As Dr Perry points out, of course they “get over it”; what other choice do they have?

With the advent of the historic Adverse Childhood Experiences Study by Felliti and Anda, it became obvious that childhood traumas cast long shadows.

[Read more…]

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Burning Down The House

by Michael P. Brechtel, MEd, JD, LMT, Traumatic Incident Reduction Trainer and Facilitator

The difference between traditional mental health and trauma specific treatment is like bad and good firefighting.

In Western Mental Health, when an alarm goes off (a disturbing life event or symptom), the truck drives by the building. If they don’t see smoke, they keep driving. The western model is about illness, dysfunction, doing or not doing. As long as someone can do what they’re supposed to do, and avoid what they’re not supposed to do, they’re not ill. They may not be well, but we don’t care about that, as long as they can perform. If they can perform ok, they get no help until they stop performing. Then it’s too late.

With Trauma Specific Care, when an alarm goes off, the crew assumes there’s a reason- probably a fire. They go into the building and search until they find it, or they’re sure it’s a false alarm. They know if you ignore a fire, it won’t go away…

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The Value of a “Trauma-Informed” Viewpoint

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A relatively recent concept, “trauma-informed” work, gives us the opportunity to understand much of human behavior, that otherwise seems mysterious.  For example:

  • Why do people consume harmful substances?
  • Why do people say and do hurtful things to each other?
  • Why do people do self-destructive things?

Is it possible that most or all of harmful, destructive behavior stems from earlier traumatic experiences?  Evidence strongly suggests that this may be so…
Read MORE in the November 2016 TIRA eNotes

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Learn how TIR helps at-risk youth in Oakland, California

Elder Matthew A. Graves, Jr.
Elder Matthew A. Graves, Jr.

Scotlan Center has provided comprehensive services for the at-risk populations of West Oakland and Oakland at large for more than 35 years. Scotlan currently offers primarily youth-focused programs.  In total, Scotlan Center serves more than 1200 at risk youth and their families per year and is strongly and deeply immersed in the target populations. They have worked with homeless, runaway, foster care, re-entering (formerly incarcerated), dropped out and otherwise high-risk youth populations for more than 35 years. All Scotlan’s programs are free of charge and serve only these targeted, low-income, under-served populations.

Elder Matthew A. Graves, Jr., Executive Director of Alameda County Youth Development says:

I was inspired to learn TIR from the evidence-based listing from SAMHSA [the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration]. I needed an innovative approach to reach the unique ongoing traumatic incidences that are experienced in our community. I grew up as a foster kid and understand how important it is to be heard. To know that “somebody knows your name” and cares about what you really feel. Emotions and traumas were often suppressed in my life as a survival mechanism so I would not be seen as difficult or a problem child. The training has further helped me to resolve some of the suppressed issues that can be triggered in adult realities. I want to pass on these much needed Applied Metapsychology techniques to staff and others to increase service delivery effectiveness. Making a safe place and having empathy and kindness is critical to enabling communication with these troubled teens and young adults.

Read the full interview with Elder Matthew A. Graves on the Applied Metapsychology International site.

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Trauma-informed communities

What does a trauma-informed community look like? What makes it different from other communities?

tarpon“A trauma-informed community takes a trauma informed approach. We understand that there are reasons for behavior. Violence does not happen randomly, but comes from verbal and emotional abuse to bullying, assault, etc. We will look at things differently through this understanding and recognize that, for example, the bully is a bully for a reason and seek to not only understand that behavior but influence and transform it as well as assist with the person who was bullied. It’s looking at the whole picture, not just a tiny piece of it. In the long term, reducing violence will create a healthier and more thriving Tarpon Springs as the many costs of trauma decrease. It’s a very long term initiative and will take many years, even several generations to realize the long term benefits.”

Learn more about trauma-informed communities in this interview with Robin Saenger, former deputy mayor of Tarpon Springs, FL and founder of Peace4Tarpon.