Community-based program development: a support group manual for individuals who experienced psychological trauma

Abstract

The purpose of this research practicum was to develop a psychoeducational trauma support group facilitation manual in an effort to fill a gap identified in a Cultural Audit Report completed by Independent Living Vernon Society in January 2019. A primary theme identified through the Audit was the prevalence of trauma for service users, as well as the impacts of mental illness and substance abuse. Individuals who are not provided with the knowledge and understanding of the impacts that psychological traumas have on their mind and body struggle throughout their lives with various mental, emotional, and physical complexities. An Appreciative Inquiry approach, utilizing Trauma Informed principles, guided the development of this support group format. Information to use in the development of the manual was collected through a literature review, email interviews with community service providers, and environmental scan. The support group manual outlines areas of focus specific to individuals who identified adverse childhood experiences, historical trauma and interpersonal traumas. Through the incorporation of mind and body interventions, the support group manual that was developed delivers strategies and techniques to provide trauma survivors with coping mechanisms that will sustain and alleviate symptoms through their process of recovery. Through a social work program and service delivery lens, the support group manual was designed to be used to deliver programming to severely traumatized individuals by Independent Living Vernon Society in the community of Vernon, British Columbia.