Understanding And Treating Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma

This course covers intergenerational trauma. Researchers and clinicians have become increasingly aware that the effects of trauma suffered by one generation – whether individual or collective trauma – are passed on to subsequent generations. Many therapists who treat offspring of traumatized parents or grandparents insufficiently or ineffectively treat the presenting symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or marital issues without understanding that these symptoms have a longer background that needs to be more directly addressed. This course will teach clinicians how to recognize intergenerational transmission of trauma, understand the mechanisms of transmission, and comprehend treatment principles.

This intermediate course, consisting of eleven articles, has three parts. Section One defines intergenerational transmission, offers a theoretical overview, and explains the collective, familial and interpersonal mechanisms by which it occurs. Section Two covers specific populations: families of Holocaust survivors, Estonians, and Native Americans. Section Three covers general and specific treatment principles, including the role of religion and spirituality and psychodynamic work. Additional resources and references are provided for further study, but they are not part of the course.

Disclaimer: This course is purely educational and does not intend to serve as a license (or permission) to mental health professionals to prescribe or practice any of the approaches discussed in this course unless they fall within the scope of practice of your profession. Check with your licensing board about the scope of practice of your profession to make sure you practice within that scope. It also does not serve as a permission to title yourself in any specific way.