Posttraumatic Growth: Theory & Application

Historically, research and treatment of recovering from PTSD and trauma has focused on pathology with the measure of successful outcomes tied to symptom reduction. In recent years, however, posttraumatic growth (PTG) has attracted more and more attention. Researchers have discovered not only what makes people resilient but what characteristics and conditions enable people to come through healing and end up wiser, stronger, more fulfilled, and with a deeper meaning to their lives than they had before trauma occurred. Overcoming the challenges of life’s worst experiences can catalyze new opportunities for individual and social development.

This course is comprised entirely of selected chapters from the exceptionally well written Routledge book, Posttraumatic Growth: Theory, Research, and Applications, by Tedeschi, Shakespeare-Finch & Calhoun. Content addresses such questions as, how can sufferers from posttraumatic stress disorder best be helped? Which personality characteristics facilitate growth?? What roles do changing-belief systems and self-narrative play in positive adaptation? How do spiritual beliefs become central for many people struck by trauma?

The course is broken into two sections: Part one provides a definition of PTG, a review of its history, and lays the theoretical foundation for this phenomenon. Part two delves into clinical applications beginning with describing a five-element treatment model that can be utilized with existing forms of therapy or as a stand-alone treatment when working with individuals and those in relationships. The authors discuss PTG in larger social groups and end with discussing how vicarious PTG can impact first responders, therapists, and those working with people who experienced trauma.