It’s the first evening of this year’s international refresher seminar at the Labenbachhof. For one week, trauma specialists from Central America, Brazil, Ukraine, Palestine, Liberia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany are gathered here to deepen their knowledge, recharge, and learn from one another.
What gives us strength and hope?
We began the seminar with this question: What gives you strength and hope in your community? Each group then created a piece of art using natural materials. We took a group tour to view and discuss these works of art.
“We don’t want to be seen only as victims, because we have so much joy and strength. We support one another, even though life is very hard for us,” said a colleague from Palestine about her artwork.
That evening, we discovered many things we had in common, such as the power of community and music. And throughout the week, we could feel not only the joy of life and our strengths but also the burden of traumatic experiences.
In-Depth Professional Knowledge and Personal Experiences
The seminar focused on working with traumatic grief and various methods for confronting trauma. In addition to deepening our theoretical understanding, it was particularly important to experience the methods firsthand and apply them to our own experiences and issues.
To this end, the participants worked with, among other things, a protocol for groups dealing with traumatic loss, the Screen technique for trauma confrontation, and the 4-Fields technique. With the 4-Field Technique, drawing and bilateral stimulation can be used to both anchor resources and process traumatic experiences.
Just how directly this work can relate to one’s own process of coming to terms with traumatic experiences is illustrated by the feedback from one participant: “I mentally applied all the exercises to my own traumas. Working through the trauma using the Screen technique has completely changed my perspective. I now see things and my experiences in a completely different light.”
Recharge and Replenish Your Resources
In addition to working through stress, the program also focused on building personal resilience. Each day began with body work based on the Power Response guidelines. During archery, participants were able to feel their own strength, and in the evenings, everyone played games, sang, and danced together.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate in this very special seminar, to further my education, to take care of myself, and to work through the traumas that have shaped my life,” one participant said, summarizing her experience at the end.
“I was listened to here without being judged. There was space to share stories and experiences. No one can take away the peace I now carry in my heart.”
Martina Bock, CEO and International Projects
