The Trauma Model Workshop

THE TRAUMA MODEL WORKSHOP

The focus of the workshop is to educate and expose participants to the sex-addiction-
induced trauma model. This paradigm was created out of the need to develop a
treatment model for partners that includes a trauma-based perspective and expands our
understanding beyond codependency/co-addiction.

As a single-concept model, the Codependence / Co-addiction Model is incomplete. While
the field has treated the spouse/partner of a sex addict predominantly from a co-addiction
model in the past, an emerging body of contemporary research in the field supports an
integrative approach (Steffans, B., 2005) (Minwalla, O., 2006) (Jason,S., Minwalla,
O., 2008). Acute trauma must be addressed at the outset of treatment because without
psychological stabilization, attempting to work on other issues of clinical concern such
as codependency only exacerbates trauma symptoms for the partner/spouse and escalates
conflict for the couple. When trauma is left untreated, the couple is left in a state of
despair and hopelessness. Therefore, it is crucial that the partners’ traumatic wounding
be addressed before the couple can begin to look at and work on healing relational issues
separate from the sex addiction.

The trauma model conceptualizes the spouse/partner's responses as reactions to a
traumatic stressor rather than simply symptomatic of her own dysfunction and addiction.
Further, it recognizes her emotional and behavioral reactions as attempts by her mind
and body to survive and adapt to danger. The addicts behaviors (such as ongoing secrets
and lies and failure to take actions to restore safety in the relationship) and environmental
cues (such as driving past a location where the addict acted out) can be triggering and
cause "flashbacks," which can temporarily re-traumatize and create a rupture in her
experience of safety in the relationship.

ANTICIPATED BENEFITS OF THE WORKSHOP

For the partner:
Overwhelming sense of validation and being understood, permission to feel emotions,
relief, hope for individual healing, trauma acknowledged as legitimate.

For the addict:
Responsibility taking, increased capacity for understanding of spouse/partner's
experience and reactions, increased clarity, increased capacity for empathy and
motivation for behavioral change

For the couple:
Decrease in conflict, identification of missing components in couples recovery process,
rebuilding of trust and intimacy, hope for relational healing.
(This workshop IS NOT about perpetuating feelings of blame, shame or guilt).