2013 NASW-IL Conference
Candi Gray
Cheri Sinnott
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Surviving Survival: the Art and Science of
Resilience by Laurence Gonzales
Personal characteristics
Successful vs. ineffective strategies for
surviving the survival piece of complex
circumstances
Goal - post trauma, clients do not develop
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
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Self-identify experiences with survival and
successful strategies.
Strategies that can be used with clients as
interventions.
Strategies to enhance a social worker’s
capacity to be prepared for tragic events.
Connections between the coping strategies
for survival and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Ways to integrate survival skills into our lives
and social work practice.
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Sublimation - do something to channel your
energy and anxiety
Altruism - do something for someone else
Suppression - don't think about your trauma;
distract yourself from it
Anticipation - see the future clearly and
prepare for it
Humor - be able to laugh at yourself and
your misfortune - one of the most healing
abilities of all
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Projection - blame someone else
Passive Aggression - respond with anger
Dissociation - be in denial
Acting Out - impulsive behavior
Fantasy - take leave of reality
Hypochondriasis - imagine you're sick all the
time
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1 - Perceive and believe
2 - Remain calm
3 - Realistic assessment of resources and predicament;
set achievable goals
4 - Act on your plan
5 - Celebrate your success once you've taken action
6 - Count your blessings
7 - Play, have fun
8 - See the beauty
9 - Belief that you can influence events
10 - Surrender - let go of your fears and move forward
11 - Do whatever is necessary to make that move
happen
12 - Never give up
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From Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales
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Want it, need it, have it
Be here now
Be patient
Be tough
Get the small picture
Put things in their place
Work, work, work
See one, do one, teach one
Touch someone
Be grateful
Walk the walk
Life is deep; shallow up
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Micro/Mezzo/Macro
Ourselves
Our clients
Effective coping strategies and interventions
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Finding the Silver Lining
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Various settings – school social work, health
care, mental health
Continuum of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- does it impact ability to function
- coping skills
Candi Gray
cgray@cancercenter.org
Cheri Sinnott
cheris@isrc.us