Curricula von Dr. Stephanie Covington

als Pilot-Projekte an Hochschulen
in Englisch oder Deutsch.


www.stephaniecovington.com


Women, Trauma and Addiction
Working Together to Help Women Heal
Training programs for Colleges, Universities and Social Institutions


Women, Trauma and Addiction

Since the 1980's, research accompanying new studies in the fields of substance abuse and mental health has shown that women who are traumatized substance abusers need gender sensitive, comprehensive and integrated treatment (Palacios, 1999). This research has revealed that women substance abusers have biological, developmental, psychological and social differences in comparison to their male counterparts (Chodorow, 1978; Gilligan, 1982; Miller, I 1976; Pohl &, Boyd, 1992). Women who have experienced trauma also show differences to men regarding the types of trauma they experienced, the impact trauma has had on their lives and the resulting emotional, psychological and social effects (Covington, 2000).
Since many treatment models have been based on theories and clinical studies done by men primarily for male populations, and because of the high incidence of relapse and "treatment failures" among women substance abusers with a history of trauma, it seems clear that something needs to be changed (Trotter, 2000).

The obstacles that substance abuse and mental health service providers face include the lack of a deeper understanding of gender differences, which would contribute to positive treatment outcomes (Najavits, 2000). There are theoretical and philosophical differences between service providers, which complicate interdisciplinary treatment planning (Rosenberg, 2001). Also, the various service providers face difficulties in influencing policy decisions relevant for funding the research addressing these issues. Equally, there are obstacles to securing the funding necessary to provide comprehensive quality programs for women. In spite of these obstacles, and because of the resolve of dedicated professionals, pilot projects and new visions for working with women are being explored and implemented. Training programs are being offered and steps are being taken so that new avenues of recovery and healing become available (Najavits, 2002; Covington, 2003,2000, 1999; Fearday, 2004; et al.)

Having worked in this field for over 25 years, I see the possibilities to support recovery for traumatized, substance abusing women. I also see the opportunity to empower girls to develop healthy relationships and strengthen coping skills as they move toward their futures. I have graciously been supported in this endeavor by professionals in the USA and Europe who are dedicated to these issues. Among them is Dr. Stephanie Covington (USA). She has given me permission to offer her successful programs in Europe. With her supervision and ongoing training, along with academic support, the following culturally integrated programs can be taught in college level courses and/or implemented in various social institutions and practices.

Training Programs
• Beyond Trauma
• VOICES: A program of self discovery and empowerment for girls
• Helping Women Recover: A program for treating addiction
• Ongoing Supervision and Coaching


Training Objectives
• Offer comprehensive curriculums to be used in outpatient, residential and criminal justice settings
• Provide a theoretical framework based on current research and studies
• Demonstrate specific treatment interventions
• Network with other professionals

If you or your institution is interested in these programs, please contact me. A custom-fit training agenda can be arranged to meet your needs.







Beyond Trauma

Beyond Trauma is a curriculum designed to assist women who have a history of trauma in their lives. The training includes theory and practical techniques that facilitators can use to help women affected by trauma develop coping skills, as weIl as emotional wellness. The curriculum has a psycho-educational component that teaches women what trauma is, its process, and its impact on both the inner self (thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values) and the other self (behavior and relationships, including parenting). Cognitive-behavioral techniques, expressive arts, and the principles of relational cultural theory are integrated in this strength based approach.
This program can be used in outpatient, residential, and criminal justice settings.

Training Topics
• Developing gender-responsive services
• Connection between trauma, mental health, and substance abuse
• Trauma-informed services
• Gender differences in terms of risk and response
• Triggers and retraumatization
• Grounding and dissociation
• Mind-body connection
• Emotional development
• Relational and sexual issues
• Secondary traumatic stress

Training Objectives
• Understand the historical background of trauma
• Explore the connection between addiction, trauma, and mental health
• Discuss gender differences
• Explicate the process of trauma
• Provide specific treatment interventions

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VOICES: A program of self discovery and empowerment for girls

Adolescence is a time of tremendous discovery, struggle, and growth. This process is particularly difficult for girls as they face unique challenges along the road to healthy development. Their challenges can be exacerbated by our culture – which often offers girls a confusing environment in which to grow. Many young women lose their voice in this process. This training is designed to encourage girls and young women to find and express themselves. The program materials can be used in schools, treatment facilities, and juvenile justice settings. This training describes the world of girls, as well as providing an overview of the elements needed for creating gender-responsive services. The focus is on interactive exercises that demonstrate the strategies that professionals can use with girls and young women. The topics covered include developing a positive sense of self, building healthy relationships, substance abuse, physical and emotional weIlness, sexuality and planning for a positive future. The issues of girls in the juvenile justice system are also addressed.

Workshop Topics
• Developing gender-responsive services
• The world of girls
• Theoretical foundation
• Becoming trauma-informed
• Girls in juvenile justice settings
• Specific interactive activities
• Self
• Relationships
• Health
• The Journey ahead

Workshop Objectives
• Understand the world of girls/young women
• Discuss gender differences
• Explore elements of gender-responsive services
• Practice clinical interventions that are implemented in the program.
• Network with other professionals

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Helping Women Recover

Over the past thirty years our knowledge of women's lives has increased dramatically, and we have added significantly to our understanding of the treatment needs of chemically dependent women. Based on Dr. Covington's curriculum Helping Women Recover: A Program for Treating Addiction, the training offers a comprehensive treatment model that integrates theories of addiction, women's psychological development, and trauma. Designed to provide professionals, recovering women, and others a basic understanding of the current knowledge related to chemical dependency, the training focuses primarily on women's recovery. The training emphasizes the key issues of self, relationships, sexuality, spirituality, and the therapeutic techniques for dealing with these issues.

Training Topics
• Historical overview of chemical dependence / substance abuse
• Theoretical integration
• Gender differences
• Implications oft reatment
• Treatment strategies
• Sense of self / self-esteem
• Building healthy relationships
• Exploring sexual issues
• Healing trauma
• Developing a spiritual life

Training Objectives
• Discuss the history of women's treatment
• Integrate current theoretical perspectives
• Understand a development model of addiction for women
• Examine the multiple issues in women's recovery and learn treatment strategies
• Discuss the integration of spirituality and counseling
• Network with other professionals

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References
Blume, S. (1997). Women: Clinical aspects. Substance abuse: A comprehensive textbook, 3rd ed., edited by J. Lowinson, P. Ruiz, R. Millman, &: J. Langrod. Baltimore, Md.: Williams and Wilkins

Cottler, L., Nishith, P. &: Compton, W. (2001). Gender differences in risk factors for trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder among inner-city drug abusers in and out oftreatment. Comprehensive Psychiatry. Vol. 42, Issue 2, p lU, 6 p.

Covington, S. (1999). Helpingwomen recover: A program for treating addiction. San Francisco: JosseyBass.

Covington, S. (2003). Beyond trauma: A healingjourney for women. Center City, MN: Hazelden.

Covington, S. (2004). Voices: A program ofself-discovery and empowerment for girls. Carson City, NV: The Change Companies.

Covington, S. (2007). Women and addiction: Agende responsive approach. Center City, MN: Hazelden.

Finkelstein, N., Kennedy, C., Thomas, K., &: Kearns, M. (1997). Gender-specific substance abuse treatment. Washington, DC: Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, draft

Gilligan, C. (1982). In a differentvoice. NewYork: Harvard University Press.

Gunderson, C. (2007). Women, Trauma and Addiction: Working together to help women heal.
Masters Thesis. Alice Salomon Fachhochschule, Berlin, Fachhochschule, Coburg, Germany

Harris, M. &: Fallot, R. (2001). Using trauma theory to design service systems. San Francisco:
Jossey-Bass. Herman, J. (1992). Traumaand recovery. NewYork: HarperCollins.

Jordan, J. (1991). The meaning ofmutuality. In J. Jordan, A. G. Kaplan, J. B. Miller, 1. P. Striver & J. L. Surrey (Eds.). Women's growth in connection: Writings from the Stone Center. New York: Guilford Press. p. 81, 15 p.

Najavits, L., Weiss, R. & Shaw, S. (1997). The link between substance abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder in women: A research review. American Journal on Addictions, 6(4):p.273, 10 p.

Najavits, L. (2002). A woman's addiction workbook. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

Palacios, W., Urmann, C. (1999). Developing a Sociological Framework for Dually Diagnosed Women. Journal ofSubstance Abuse Treatment. Vol. 17,Issue 1/2, p. 91, 12 p.

Rosenberg, S. D., Mueser, K. T., Friedman, M. J., Gorman, P. G., Drake, R. E., Vidaver, R. M., Torrey, W.C., Jankowski, M. K. (2001). Developing effective treatments for posttraumatic disorders among people with severe mental illness. Psychiatrie Services. 52, p. 1453,8 p.

Trotter, C. (2000). Providing Clinical Treatment to Substance Abusing Trauma Survivors. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly. Vol. 18, Issue 3, p. 71, 12 p.

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