Healing a Community: Lessons for Recovery after a Large-Scale Trauma

Even with the best intentions, most clinicians are not well versed in the complexities of complicated grief and existential trauma, or they have not practiced them in situations where hundreds of people are affected at the same time.

Mass shootings—defined as incidents in which four or more people are shot not including the shooter—have happened hundreds of times over the last several years with the largest mass shooting occurring in Las Vegas, NV, in October 2017. (Source: www.gunviolencearchive.org)

Glaser identifies some of the treatment modalities that were most effective for healing, including both brain and body based treatments, such as brain spotting, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic experiencing, art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy and the supportive treatment that helps people make sense of—and make meaning of—what they are going through, as well as providing the coping skills necessary.

Natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Sandy or Harvey, significantly affected communities well beyond the initial incident and caused mental health problems for a large part of the population.

Outside of therapeutic models, Glaser discusses how much money is really needed to cover the treatment and support of a traumatized community.

© 2019 Central Recovery Press (E-bog): 9781942094913

Release date

E-bog: 12. februar 2019