Session 10: Life After Trauma: Post-Processing


When clients are resourced (Phase 1) to the extent of being able to process traumatic memories (Phase 2) an additional third phase may seem unnecessary. Phase 3 often  receives less attention in commentary on the phased treatment approach to complex trauma relative to the previous two. But clients whose lives have been disrupted by the impacts of complex trauma face contrasting issues in the `post-processing’ period. Adjusting to `life after trauma’ presents a new set of challenges, including emancipation from trauma-related beliefs and behaviors which may have existed for decades. It is also not uncommon for clients to encounter new areas of unresolved trauma in the Phase 3 period, in light of increased ability to engage with experiences of distress which could not be approached before. This session addresses the final phase of therapy for complex trauma in which increased integrative capacity includes enhanced ability to mentalise (i.e. attune to the internal experience of others as well as self, which is required for responding to social cues and enhanced interpersonal relationships; Fonagy et al, 2002). Phase 3 involves `consolidation of gains, achieving a more solid and stable sense of self, and increasing skills in creating healthy interactions with the external world’ (Chu, 2011).