Abstract

The goal of this dissertation was to create an intervention resource guide containing recommendations that can be utilized by the South Los Angeles Trauma Recovery Center (SLATRC) to implement a brief early somatic intervention for victims of violent crime in acute hospital settings in Southeast Los Angeles. It was decided that an intervention based upon the Trauma Resiliency Model/Community Resiliency Model (TRM/CRM) would best fit the needs of the population. First, a systematic literature review was conducted to increase the efficacy of the resource by gathering information on similar interventions. The specific questions guiding this review were as follows: (1) What are the components of a successful somatic intervention for the treatment of PTSD? (2) What therapeutic/client/systemic factors contribute to a somatic intervention’s effectiveness in treating trauma? (3) What factors contribute to reduced effectiveness? (4) What are the potential benefits and limitations of somatic interventions for treating trauma in a hospital-based setting?

Literature to guide resource creation was systematically searched for using a strategy informed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) approach, an evidence-based systematic review process for healthcare research developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. After reviewing available review protocols, the reviewer selected elements of the JBI approach that seemed to best suit the needs of this project. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was selected as the review protocol. A PRISMA checklist was utilized by the reviewer to guide the systematic literature review process. Data from eligible and relevant studies were extracted and stored in a data table. There was emphasis on data that could be used to answer this project’s research questions. Results from the systematic literature review guided the creation of the proposed resource. The recommendations are intended to be utilized by xvi professional and paraprofessional staff at the SLATRC and will be distributed in the form of a training manual.

After the resource creation stage Gabriela Ochoa, LMFT, the Coordinator of SLATRC, reviewed the proposed resource and provided feedback to the author. Elaine Miller-Karas LCSW, an expert in somatic interventions for trauma and the executive director and co-founder of the Trauma Resource Institute, served as the second external reviewer. External reviewers provided feedback based on the review form which asked them to rate on a 1-5 scale: how user-friendly the resource is, whether the instructions are clear and easy to follow, how viable and sustainable the manual is, and how consistent it is with current policies at the St. Francis trauma unit OR current knowledge in the field of somatic interventions for trauma. In addition, they were asked to give their opinion on the manual’s strengths, any potential barriers to implementation, whether the philosophy and approach of the resource is consistent with the aims of SLATRC, and whether interventions are culturally sensitive and relevant to target population. Feedback from reviewers was implemented in the resource.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Trauma centers -- California -- Los Angeles; Psychic trauma -- Treatment -- California -- Los Angeles; Community mental health services -- California -- Los Angeles -- Case studies; Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Treatment

Date of Award

2020

Department/Program

Psychology

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate

Faculty Advisor

LaTonya Wood

Included in

Psychology Commons

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