Program Goals

The goals of Individual Intensive Trauma Therapy (IITT) are:

• Substantial reduction or elimination of intrusive, avoidant, and anxiety symptoms
• Reduction in frequency of disturbances of consciousness (depersonalization and derealization)
• Amelioration of suicidal urges, command hallucinations, and self-mutilation
• Repair of traumatic dissociation

Logic Model

The program representative did not provide information about a Logic Model for Individual Intensive Trauma Therapy (IITT).

Essential Components

The essential components of Individual Intensive Trauma Therapy (IITT) are:

• Many individuals with a history of multiple traumas have difficulty tolerating inpatient psychiatric programs because they are frequently triggered when hearing about others' traumas. The IITT program provides one- and two-week programs as a substitute for hospitalization. All sessions are individual ones in a marathon format of 7 hours per day.
• Detailed intake process:
• Obtaining a thorough trauma history along with family, medical, and psychiatric history
• Screening for dissociative regression
• Using specific assessments to compare a potential client's scores with others who have successfully completed the program [the Dissociative Experiences Scale, the Trauma Recovery Scale, and the Dissociative Regression Scale (IITT program assessment)]
• Consulting with referring therapist to determine client's suitability for IITT
• Interviewing of the prospective client by the Clinical Coordinator via telephone or Skype (often several times) which included reviewing history and assessments, and discussing treatment recommendations
• Psychoeducation material about dissociation including showing videotape of the Instinctual Trauma Response (IITT's theoretical model)
• Additional assessments done on site as part of our outcome studies
• Individual sessions with one of 3 or 4 rotating therapists (all trained in specific trauma processing procedures)
• Morning rounds and afternoon wrap-up sessions with entire treatment team
• "Foundation" (preverbal) traumas processed first then others are done in chronological order
• Trauma processing using the following procedures in order:
• Guided imagery sessions using the "hidden observer" so client will not re-live the traumas (Note: Some people object to guided imagery for various reasons, including religious ones. The program can be done without using guided imagery.)
• Art therapy using a "graphic narrative" of the trauma which is a series of drawings following the structure of the Instinctual Trauma Response (startle, thwarted intention of fight/flight, freeze, altered state of consciousness, body sensations, automatic obedience, and self-repair).
• "Re-presenting" of the client's story (putting the graphic narrative on the wall and having the client watch and listen as a therapist tells the story)
• Reversing dissociation through an "externalized dialogue."
• Identifying and mapping internal parts
• After completing the program, a person's scores should be:
• 80 or less on the Symptom Check List (SCL-45)
• 74 or less on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS)
• 20 or less on the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)
• Treatment summary for hometown therapist with specific recommendations for follow-up

Program Delivery

Adult Services

Individual Intensive Trauma Therapy (IITT) directly provides services to adults (regardless of whether they are parents or caregivers) and addresses the following:

• Suicidal impulses or ideation; PTSD symptoms (arousal, avoidant, and intrusive symptoms) such as trauma voices, command hallucinations, recurring nightmares; dissociation, depersonalization, derealization; self-injury; impulsive behavior; and eating problems due to trauma

Services Involve Family/Support Structures:

This program involves the family or other support systems in the individual's treatment: Psychoeducational sessions about the effects of trauma on the brain and on behavior are provided for family members or friends.

Recommended Intensity:

30-35 hours per week of individual therapy for one or two weeks, Monday through Friday

Recommended Duration:

One week or two weeks depending on trauma history and presenting symptoms; clients can return for another one or two weeks at a later date

Delivery Setting

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Outpatient Clinic

Homework

This program does not include a homework component.

Resources Needed to Run Program

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

A team of 3-4 Master's-level therapists; video cameras; TV monitors for playing back parts of the therapy sessions; art materials; individual therapy rooms; and one or two larger rooms with a large bulletin board for pinning up graphic narratives

Manuals and Training

Prerequisite/Minimum Provider Qualifications

Social workers, licensed professional counselors, and art therapists with a Master's degree in the specific profession, respectively

Manual Information

There is a manual that describes how to deliver this program.

Training Information

There is training available for this program.

Training Contact:

• Linda Gantt
  linda@traumatherapy.us
  phone: (304) 291-2912

Training Type/Location:

At Intensive Trauma Therapy, Inc.'s location in Morgantown, WV, or onsite at the agency that is receiving the training

Number of days/hours:

Part I – 4 days of didactic and experiential sessions (total of 30 hours); Part II – 5 days of a practicum in Intensive Trauma Therapy, Inc.'s clinic during which the trainee follows one client through a week of Individual Intensive Trauma Treatment. The trainee will spend a total of 40 hours in the clinic for this part of the training.

Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research

Additional References