New short article by Dr. Scott Giacomucci covering sociodrama, teletherapy, and coronavirus in APA’s Div 49 newsletter. Scott presents a description of an online sociodramatic dialogue between humanity and coronavirus that took place in an MSW course session at Bryn Mawr College.

https://www.apadivisions.org/division-49/publications/newsletter/group-psychologist/2020/08/coronavirus-humanity-telepathy

In this piece, Moreno’s early ideas of using technology with therapy are presented including the proposal that the large-scale shift to teletherapy constitutes a fourth revolution in the mental health field:

“Moreno highlights the three revolutions in the field of mental health and psychiatry: (1) Pinel’s humane treatment of the mentally ill, (2) Freud’s reconceptualization of mental illness through psychology rather than neurology, and (3) the emergence of group therapy and community mental health approaches (Moreno, 1961). I believe that the large-scale shift to teletherapy, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, constitutes a fourth revolution in the field and will have a lasting impact on how we practice psychology and group therapy, as well as how we teach/train the next generations of group psychotherapists.”

#teletherapy #psychology #grouppsychology #groupwork #grouppsychotherapy #grouptherapy #psychodrama #sociodrama

Today our director, Dr. Scott Giacomucci, presented a workshop for the International Trauma-Informed Art-Therapy certification program which included a multi-lingual group from Ukraine, Turkey, and Kurdistan (Iraq).

The workshop topic was “Trauma, Safety, and the Brain” which included information about trauma-informed principles, establishing safety in groups, and neurobiology of trauma and art-based therapies. The importance of safety was emphasized while addressing various strategies for cultivaging safety.

Strength-based interventions from EMDR and psychodrama were demonstrated with their capacity to resource trauma survivors. Many thanks to Caner Bingol & Mariya Volkova for organizing and the invitation to present along with other international trauma experts!

#trauma#traumainformed#traumarecovery#traumatherapy#experientialtherapy#creativearttherapy#expressivearttherapy#ptsd#ptsdawareness#PTSDTreatment#EMDRtherapy#psychodrama

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and there’s no doubt that COVID-19 has effected the mental and emotional health of millions of people worldwide. The lingering uncertainty caused by pandemic has created incredible amounts of fear, anger and anxiety in many of us. Not to mention the stress of managing our day to day lives and attempting to plan for the immediate future.

Dr Scott Giacomucci is the Director/Founder of the Phoenix Center and Director of Trauma Services at Mirmont Treatment Center. He’ll go into detail on how the effects of COVID-19 are effecting people’s mental and emotional health. He’ll also offer suggestions on what we can do to take care of ourselves as we navigate our way through these unprecedented times.

Full Interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8QwZUqwB2Q&feature=youtu.be

Special thanks to The Chris Edwards Group for interviewing us on Coronavirus, Collective Trauma, and Self-Care. Keep Chris in mind if you are looking for real estate services with honesty and integrity.

Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy remains open offering teletherapy sessions, reach out to us for more information at [email protected] or 484-440-9416

#traumatherapy #collectivetrauma #coronavirustrauma #traumahealing #societaltrauma #mentalhealthawareness

By Rachel Longer, MSS, LSW, CET I

After careful consideration, and in response to COVID-19, The Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy (PCETT) has decided to temporarily move our services online last week. The most important part of trauma therapy is safety and we hope this change will help to maintain the health and safety of our clients and their families. We put together this FAQ to help you navigate any questions you may have regarding teletherapy at the PCETT.

How does teletherapy work?

We are using a platform called Zoom to offer remote video sessions to our PCETT clients. You can access this site from anywhere using a computer, phone, tablet, or other device. Just click on your personalized Zoom invitation link to join your therapist for a session.

Can we still do experiential therapy on zoom?

YES! Though this is a new experience for everyone, Phoenix Center staff are learning creative ways of using experiential therapy techniques through teletherapy. There are, of course, limitations to what can be done – and extra considerations for safety with trauma work, but we are finding that there are even some benefits to teletherapy when it comes to therapy and experiential work.

How do I access the Zoom invitation link?

Before your scheduled appointment, your therapist will send you an email containing a Zoom invitation link. No need to create an account!

Can I use Zoom for free?

Yes! You can use Zoom for no added cost to your regular session rate.

Is Zoom secure?

Zoom protects and encrypts all audio and video data transmitted through its system. It supports and complies with HIPAA security standards to keep your information safe and private.

Will my insurance reimburse me for teletherapy?

Many insurance companies are waiving any barriers to reimbursement for telehealth amidst the pandemic COVID-19. If you are unsure, call your insurance company to ask them if your plan includes reimbursement for teletherapy with an out-of-network provider. The billing code used to identify this service to insurance companies is 90837-95.

If you have any further questions regarding Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy teletherapy services, please call us at 484-440-9416.

While therapist are at risk for vicarious trauma, we are also likely to experience Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth – positive change a therapist or professional experiences as a result of being exposed to the trauma of others.

(Vicarious) Post-traumatic growth emerges in 5 domains: increased personal strength, enhanced relationships, spiritual growth, new possibilities in life, and appreciation of life.

Visit our training page to learn more about upcoming workshops or info on how to bring a training to your agency on burnout & vicarious post-traumatic growth – https://www.phoenixtraumacenter.com/training/

PostTraumaticGrowth #TraumaTherapy #TraumaTreatment #TheTraumaTherapist #VicariousTrauma #VicariousPostTraumaticGrowth #SecondaryTrauma #BurnOut #CompassionFatigue

We are excited to share a recent publication by our staff Rachel A. Longer, MSS, LSW, CET I & Scott Giacomucci DSW,LCSW,CTTS,CP,PAT on the intersection of Internal Family Systems and Psychodrama. Though many have acknowledged the connection, is one of the first publications on the topic!

Longer, R. & Giacomucci, S. (2020). Parts, Roles, and the Spark of Creation: An Early Look at the Integration of Internal Family Systems Therapy and Psychodrama. Psychodrama Network News. Winter Issue, p. 7. Princeton, NJ: American Society of Group Psychotherapy & Psychodrama. Access Article Here

WOMEN’S PERSONAL GROWTH: ADDRESSING TRAUMA, GRIEF, AND AMBIGUOUS LOSS THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL GROUP THERAPY

Are you finding that trauma, grief and loss are impacting your daily life? Maybe you are feeling stuck, or maybe you are tired of feeling haunted by the past. This is a group for any woman ready to grow, to live your life from a place of feeling whole, and practice being grounded in the present moment.

Trauma, grief, and loss look different in all of our lives. Loss is at the heart of all trauma. Sometimes, we may even be experiencing trauma and grief over what is called an ambiguous loss, or losses which are not characterized by death. This could be a physical or emotional loss of a part of self, loss of a relationship, loss of job, loss of future/time/possibility, etc. These experiences share several core commonalities: disconnection, confusion, pain, and loss of safety. The opposite of loss is connection, which is what this group provides – a safe place for connection, growth, and healing.

Come join Rachel Longer, MSS, LSW, CET I and Leela Ehrhart, MA, CET I for a 12-week group for women who are wishing to grow through trauma, grief, and loss. With a strengths-based focus, we will use experiential techniques and mindfulness meditation to help build connection, safety, grounding in the present, and integration of mind, body, and spirit. Clients in the group are expected to be in individual therapy at the Phoenix Center or elsewhere due to the nature of the group.

Reach out to us to register:

RACHEL LONGER, MSS, LSW, CET I
[email protected]
609-284-9702

LEELA EHRHART, MA, CET I
[email protected]
484-402-7577

This group welcomes men with the common goal of living lives of integrity and being in integrity in their relationships.

This is not a group where we will sit in a circle telling war-stories about trauma or loss. Here, we will cultivate the healing experiences necessary to grow from trauma. Sessions will be facilitated using experiential therapy and psychodrama techniques with an emphasis on safety, strengths, and empowering participants to put change into action.
Group sessions will include various embodied and experiential forms of therapy that allow us to move beyond words or narratives. Instead of an emphasis on retelling trauma stories — we will build the strengths necessary to change how trauma lives within us and alter the trajectories of our lives going forward. Clients in the group are expected to be in individual therapy at the Phoenix Center or elsewhere due to the nature of the group.

We are excited to announce that we have been granted CE Provider status by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)!

As our requests for training & presentations continue to expand beyond the Philadelphia area, this allows us to provide CEUs for counselors throughout the country. These credits are also accepted by New Jersey for drug & alcohol counselors.

Reach out to us for more information about experiential trauma/addiction therapy training for your staff or for information on how we can provide CEUs for your events!