Trauma Training - An Overview:
In order to address the effects of a traumatic incident, one needs to understand the physiological and psychological processes an individual goes through in the aftermath of such an experience. Traumatic incidents are often experienced by an individual or by a group of people who happened to have been together at the time of the incident. Any person who regularly deals with trauma work, will from time to time be confronted with both types of situations.
The focus of the two trauma workshops is to create a solid understanding of the process of trauma, and to impart the necessary skills to deal with traumatized individuals (the TIR workshop) as well as traumatized groups (Group Debriefing). During a Group Debriefing session it may become apparent that a particular individual needs individual trauma intervention and a TIR will be necessary.
This work expanded at a rapid rate in South Africa. Yvonne has trained eleven other trainers so far; and has a few students in the process of doing their internship to become trainers in this field. Between these trainers, about 700 counselors, pastors, social workers and psychologists were trained to use TIR and other related techniques in their practices.
The need to form a South African branch of TIRA became apparent. In 2017, TIRASA (tirasa.co.za) was constituted and now functions under the auspices of TIRA in the USA. We currently have about 100 members.
Our first conference with an international keynote speaker, focusing on Children and Trauma was held in September 2018.
TIRASA regularly organizes professional get-togethers where we expand our knowledge, hone our skills and discuss issues applicable to our work. In March 2019, members gathered to discuss marketing in the field; in June 2019 we focused on "Children and Trauma" and in September 2019 a conference took place to discuss "Bereavement". In 2020 another two congresses took place online via Zoom - the first was on "Bereavement" and then second focused on "Supporting the Grieving Child".
Please visit the TIRASA Website to find out more about the organisation and membership.
The focus of the two trauma workshops is to create a solid understanding of the process of trauma, and to impart the necessary skills to deal with traumatized individuals (the TIR workshop) as well as traumatized groups (Group Debriefing). During a Group Debriefing session it may become apparent that a particular individual needs individual trauma intervention and a TIR will be necessary.
This work expanded at a rapid rate in South Africa. Yvonne has trained eleven other trainers so far; and has a few students in the process of doing their internship to become trainers in this field. Between these trainers, about 700 counselors, pastors, social workers and psychologists were trained to use TIR and other related techniques in their practices.
The need to form a South African branch of TIRA became apparent. In 2017, TIRASA (tirasa.co.za) was constituted and now functions under the auspices of TIRA in the USA. We currently have about 100 members.
Our first conference with an international keynote speaker, focusing on Children and Trauma was held in September 2018.
TIRASA regularly organizes professional get-togethers where we expand our knowledge, hone our skills and discuss issues applicable to our work. In March 2019, members gathered to discuss marketing in the field; in June 2019 we focused on "Children and Trauma" and in September 2019 a conference took place to discuss "Bereavement". In 2020 another two congresses took place online via Zoom - the first was on "Bereavement" and then second focused on "Supporting the Grieving Child".
Please visit the TIRASA Website to find out more about the organisation and membership.
The Traumatic Incident Reduction Workshop (4 days)
What is Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR)?
Traumatic Incident Reduction(TIR) is a deceptively simple but highly skilled technique which, when used by a competently trained facilitator, has proven to be effective in addressing and resolving most of the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other unwanted aftereffects of Trauma.
When a person has been badly traumatized, he/she goes through a psychological process of coming to terms with the experience. This process usually includes a stage which is marked by nightmares, flashbacks, startle responses and other un- pleasant symptoms which typically last for a few months. Eventually these symptoms cease, the incident becomes part of the life history of this person who can then proceed with life in a normal way. Sometimes this integration process is not complete and the sufferer may experience unpleasant symptoms for the rest of his life - often with disastrous consequences. This condition is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The National Registry of Evidence Based Practices (NREPP), which is a service of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the USA acknowledges TIR as one of the accepted effective techniques to address Trauma and PTSD in USA war veterans.
In order to address this situation, TIR was developed in the 1980’s by two American professionals; Gerald French, an educational psychologist, and Frank Gerbode, a psychiatrist. In the course of their work they counselled many ex-combatants of the various wars in which the United States has been involved. These veterans often suffered from severe emotional problems, and were not functioning adequately in society, even many years after their wartime experiences.
By using TIR, Gerbode and French could help these individuals, within a relatively short time, to come to terms with their experiences and to re-enter society successfully.
TIR is based on classical psychological theory, but also uses the major insights gained by research in psycho-biology and psycho-neurology in the late nineteen-hundreds. Since then, TIR has been implemented in all 50 USA States, every province of Canada as well as in Argentina, Australia, Belgium. Bermuda, England, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Palestine, Portugal, Scotland, Switzerland, Tobago, Trinidad and the Ukraine. In South Africa, about 1000 people have been trained in the use of this method.
What really distinguishes this way of helping people from other methods is that it is entirely person-centred, but highly directive. The client is referred to as a “viewer” and the counsellor/therapist as a “facilitator”.
The value of this approach was appreciated by other professionals, a training programme was developed, and TIRA (Traumatic Incident Reduction Association) came into being. TIRA is the international governing body of TIR.
In 2000, Gerald French presented the first training programme on TIR in South Africa (where he later settled). Yvonne is one of the first trainees who were introduced to TIR in South Africa. She did her internship under Gerald French and has been using the method for the last 20 years with great success. After qualifying as a TIR Trainer, she presented many TIR workshops to other professionals.
The TIR Workshop
The workshop runs over four days. The intensive interactive training includes theoretical and practical aspects as well as the illustration by way of DVD’s of real TIR sessions to thoroughly prepare attendants for the application of the TIR technique.
A certificate of attendance will be issued by Applied Metapsychology International in the USA.
Who can benefit from this workshop?
The workshop is open to all people working with traumatized individuals.
Social Workers, AFM and Dutch Reformed ministers will earn CPD points upon attendance of this workshop.