Shut down states: what do we need to Re-spark?

Overview

In this live-stream talk, Graham Music will discuss ways of understanding and working with more shut-down states, such as those seen after trauma, neglect and learned helplessness. He will discuss the impact not only of trauma, but also of emotional flatness and lack of energy, on our clients. he will look at how this shows in our countertransference, examine the variety of 'desparked' and 'unsparked' states, and how aliveness may return after them.

New science will be combined with therapeutic understandings to suggest what can help to shift people from ‘desparked’, lifeless, un-energised states, linking ideas such as Symington’s ‘lifegiver’, and Alvarez's ideas about 'reclamation', with newer thinking about ‘danger responses' and 'nervous system whispering' and a specific focus on the body.

The talk will use video clips and slides, as well as clinical examples.

About the presenter

Graham Music

Graham is a psychotherapist, trainer, author and supervisor. He is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist at the Tavistock Centre where he has worked for over 20 years, and he has been adult Psychotherapist for about 35 years. Formerly Associate Clinical Director of the Tavistock Clinic’s Child and Family Department, he has developed many innovative programs, including setting up services in over 40 schools and a range of services working with the aftermath of child maltreatment and neglect. His clinical specialty for decades been understanding and working with trauma.

He supervises and teaches nationally and internationally and has a particular interest in linking cutting-edge developmental findings with therapeutic practice. His publications include ‘Nurturing Natures’ (2023, 2016, 2010), ‘Respark: Igniting Hope and Joy after trauma and depression’ (2022), ‘Affect and Emotion’ (2022, 2001), ‘Nurturing Children: From Trauma to Hope’ (2019), ‘The Good Life’ (2014) as well as co-editing ‘From Trauma to Harming Others’ (2021).