Emotional Agility Program/Training
Prevention is Better Than Needing Treatment
Yael Shuman, LMFT
Why is Emotional Agility Important?
Creating emotional resilience through learning coping skills, pre-trauma training will decrease suffering, economic, social, and financial burdens.
Studies have shown developing coping skills and emotional resilience are key factors in overcoming trauma. Bessel Van Der Kolk has studied PTSD and discussed the importance of emotional resilience in overcoming trauma. Francine Shapiro developed EMDR and discusses the protocol of preparation for emotional stability and a sense of control as important factors for overcoming trauma.
We all know prevention is better than treating for a cure. We already have the resources to provide skills for coping with trauma. We need to start providing those skills before the trauma is experienced!
These videos show how healthy habits, stress management skills, and adding skills for emotional stability, will lead to emotional resiliency and decreased reactivity. This will allow people to remain effective in their work, and be able to work through trauma quicker if affected by a traumatic experience.
Meet Yael: Yael Shuman is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with more than 25 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and as a speaker. She is passionate about helping people to live a fulfilling life. Trauma interrupts life by creating a stuck place that is uncomfortable and distressing. Without the right knowledge and skills, it’s difficult to move beyond the distress. With skills development in emotional stability and resiliency, people can reduce the impact of a traumatic situation and have improved coping skills to move forward and process the trauma from distress to fulfillment.
As a trauma therapist, I was working with a juror from a court case that involved a shooting; during that time, it struck me how ill prepared this person was to experience what they saw and heard during the trial. Although they were warned they would see and hear things that they may find distressing, it did not prepare them, and as a result were not able to function at work, upon their return. I provided treatment for PTSD (including skills for emotional stability and resilience), and eventually they were able to return to their life and career.
I began to think about how this juror could have been prepared to process what they would experience in that courtroom, and then thought about other people who could benefit from being prepared for traumatic exposure. I thought about our Active Military while I was listening to veterans describe the trauma they struggled to overcome; our First Responders who run in when there is chaos to create safety for us, putting themselves potentially and likely in harm’s way. I thought about the kids in school who are being trained for active shooters because, here in Colorado, having the occurrence of an active shooter is all too real and happens too often. One evening, I was speaking to a gentleman who was an attorney about what I do, and he stated “Don’t forget us attorneys! Who do you think needs to go through the pictures, recordings and court documents, before they are brought into the courtroom?”
Then I began to research what programs currently exist and how we can prepare these vulnerable populations to become more resilient and prepared to process traumatic experiences. What I found is that the resiliency and preparedness programs teach how to maintain good mental health. This is important and can help decrease anxiety and depression. It can help in cases where someone is going through a divorce or other life cycle changes. However, we are seeing an increase in suicides by our Veterans and First Responders. I began developing a course based on all the techniques used to resource and strengthen emotional agility when we prepare to process trauma. Everything here is evidenced based. But in lieu of waiting for a traumatic event to occur and then trying to teach a traumatized brain, I'm advocating for preventive measures, and educating people before something bad happens.
***Disclaimer: While I believe people can benefit from these techniques, these videos are not a substitute for psychotherapy.
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