Guidelines for Professional Practice with Trauma Survivors

Webinar presented by Lenore E. Walker, Ed.D., ABPP CL & Fam

The APA has separated clinical guidelines from professional guidelines which are both scientific frameworks to assist practitioners in formulating assessment and interventions when working with trauma survivors. In these 17 guideline statements, including the rationale for their use and examples of applications, a practitioner will be prepared to assist the healing from trauma and restoring resiliency. The task force chose six areas in which to highlight guidelines including the knowledge base, on-going education, legal and regulatory frameworks, assessment issues, interventions including psychopharmacology and biological areas, and equity issues. In including health equity, racial and historical and intergenerational trauma, sexual harassment & workplace trauma, and immigration and refugee status the task force has broadened the definition and treatment areas of psychological impact from trauma. This webinar will go over the 17 guidelines and provide suggested areas to develop trauma informed and trauma specific care interventions.

Expected Outcomes

1. Participants will be able to differentiate between clinical and professional guidelines and ethical standards.
2. Participants will be able to develop protocols for working with trauma survivors using the six areas and 17 guidelines developed.

Dr. Lenore E. Walker is a co-founding board member and treasurer of AJP. A longtime elected member of APA Council of Representatives and other governance positions, she was selected by the APA to chair the development of the first professional practice guidelines on PTSD and related disorders. Her research and clinical intervention with battered women, named Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS) and other survivors of interpersonal trauma has been published in numerous peer reviewed articles, book chapters and books. She has given keynote addresses and training workshops internationally. She testifies in legal cases around the country and world providing information about the psychological impact from trauma to assist judges and juries in various types of cases. She is working with AJP trauma experts to help develop a trauma curriculum for working with those experiencing antisemitism and Jewish trauma. A professor emeritus from Nova Southeastern University she continues to provide forensic services in her independent practice. Among other honors, she was awarded the 2023 Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology. Her favorite activity these days is writing mystery novels that can be found on Amazon.