Subject: Therapeutic Interventions Explained
Presentation Details: This presentation will include discussing the use of knowledge about brain functioning in a way that can be presented to clients in order to better support and motivate clients to use grounding tools as well as a way to view grounding tools that allows for a creative approach to current modalities that is less rigid and more fluid while fulfilling the function of grounding tools as it relates to the "status" of the brain.
Key points include:
Functions of the Prefrontal Cortex and Limbic System
Trauma responses with the activation of the Limbic System causing Prefrontal Cortex functioning to be diminished (Using the "Cap flying off" visual demonstration with your hand for this piece to demonstrate how trauma response/intense emotion triggers this "survival" center of the brain)
Utilizing this background information to explain that grounding tools purpose is to reduce intense emotions in order to bring the Prefrontal Cortex back into a balance with the Limbic System in order to be able to utilize the decision making powers and social appropriateness powers of our higher functioning to make the better decisions.
Discussing typical grounding tools that are shared such as counting to certain numbers, deep breathing, etc and how looking at this you can simmer it down to two categories "Logic and Sensory Input"- I'll reference the therapist aid sheet here for grounding skills to make the connection between how everything shared can actually fall into these categories.
Logic will be referenced as utilizing mental exercises that cause concentration or are challenging to your brain to "Force" the prefrontal cortex back into operation. Think of this like Manual Labor to bring it back online.
Examples include math problems, projects you can remember step by step instructions to and guide yourself through it, categorizing items/organizing items into categories
Sensory Input is using the senses to provide sensory information to that limbic system to process which is putting space between the "panic" that sets off the system and feeding new information that due to our survival mechanisms, will cause us to process this information within our brain to ensure our "survival" working with the process to calm the system down and bring the prefrontal cortex back into functioning levels for decision-making.
Examples include 5 senses, sensory stimulation and attention placed on the sensory input.