Track: Stress, Trauma, and Resilience

Stress, Trauma, and Resilience

Stress and Trauma are universal experiences, but their effects on mental health can vary widely, influenced by individual, environmental, and cultural factors. In this session, participants will examine the neurobiological underpinnings of stress and trauma, exploring how chronic stress and traumatic experiences can alter brain function and lead to mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

This session will also focus on the concept of resilience—the ability to bounce back from adversity. Participants will explore the psychosocial factors that promote resilience, including the role of supportive relationships, adaptive coping strategies, and community resources. By understanding these elements, mental health professionals can better support individuals in building resilience and recovering from trauma.

Furthermore, the Stress, Trauma, and Resilience session will cover trauma-informed care, a critical approach that emphasizes safety, trust, and empowerment in therapeutic settings. Attendees will learn how to integrate trauma-informed principles into their practice, ensuring that treatment is sensitive to the needs and experiences of trauma survivors.

Finally, this session will present a range of interventions designed to mitigate the effects of stress and trauma and promote resilience. These evidence-based strategies, such as CBT, EMDR, and mindfulness, offer powerful tools for helping individuals heal from trauma and strengthen their mental health. This session will conclude with a discussion on resilience across the lifespan, highlighting how resilience can be nurtured at any age, from childhood through older adulthood.

Key Topics:
  • Neurobiology of Stress and Trauma: Explore how stress and trauma impact brain structure and function, including the role of the HPA axis and neuroplasticity.
  • Psychosocial Factors in Resilience: Discuss how social support, coping mechanisms, and positive psychology contribute to building resilience.
  • Trauma-Informed Care: Learn about the principles and practices that ensure a compassionate, informed approach to treating trauma survivors.
  • Interventions for Stress and Trauma: Review evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness practices.
  • Resilience Across the Lifespan: Examine resilience-building strategies tailored for different life stages, from childhood to older adulthood.