TRAUMA FIRST AIDE for BodyWorkers© (TFA-BW) is a short course offered to massage and bodywork professionals that teaches skills to reduce the symptoms of Acute Traumatic Stress in a clinical setting. Viewing typical acute stress symptoms as a dysregulated mind-body system response, we work with trauma symptoms using an integrative approach. Our focus in TFA–BW is reduction/prevention of PTSD and its associated physical symptoms.

Class Objectives:

TRAUMA FIRST AIDE© is based on current research on the impact of trauma on the brain and body and on new findings in somatic psychology, neurology and endocrinology. TFA is inspired by the burgeoning field of mind-body therapeutic interventions including: biofeedback, EMDR, yoga, imagery, meditation and Somatic Experiencing®. TRAUMA FIRST AIDE© was developed by Dr. Geneie Everett and her colleagues after working with survivors of the Asian tsunami in Thailand and Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast. Bhanu Harrison co-created the Bodywork Model of TRAUMA FIRST AIDE with Lorin Hager, massage therapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.