The Role of Healing Complex Trauma in Supporting Adolescents and Their Families with Leslie Filsinger

“So from that lens of looking at trauma as anything less than nurturing, we all have wounding and I think that actually creates the platform for understanding the kinds of work that NARM does.” ~Leslie Filsinger Our host Sarah Buino is joined by Leslie Filsinger, NARM therapist and Clinical Director at Spring Ridge Academy in Spring Valley, Arizona. They talk about how the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) supports the healing of developmental and complex trauma in adolescents, how adolescents can learn to develop their voice to find their internal truth, and how understanding complex trauma can create more compassion and grace within families. Spring Ridge Academy is a private, all-girls therapeutic boarding school specializing in treating young women and their families in overcoming the impact of emotional and developmental injuries. Families often come to Spring Ridge Academy overwhelmed by fear, hopelessness and despair regarding their children.  Leslie shares how she and her team meet the families with compassion and understanding, but also using psychoeducation around Complex Trauma to support greater health within the family system.  Leslie describes the importance of therapists and other helping professionals in shifting away from the focus of fixing behaviors and instead bringing greater understanding to what is driving these maladaptive behaviors. Instead of meeting adolescents with the pressure to change, meeting them with curiosity, patience, understanding and compassion. At the same time, Leslie reminds us that as therapists, we are not the ones creating the change for these young women and their families, and not to overlook the strong intention of adolescents in connecting to their own will to heal and grow. Leslie also reminds us that true change does not come from the outside, and as a NARM Therapist she focuses on respecting and reinforcing her clients’ developing Adult Consciousness. As Leslie says, “We don’t [want to do the work] for them… we create the space and allow them to connect with their own internal truth.” *** NARM Online Basics Training begins November 13, 2020. REGISTER NOW Online NARM Basics Training: http://www.narmtraining.com/onlinebasics *** NARM Training Institute http://www.NARMtraining.com *** The NARM Training Institute provides tools for transforming complex trauma through: in-person and online trainings for mental health care professionals; in-person and online workshops on complex trauma and how it interplays with areas like addiction, parenting, and cultural trauma; an online self-paced learning program, the NARM Inner Circle; and other trauma-informed learning resources.   For the full show notes including references, podcast episodes mentioned, and a quick glossary of terms, visit us at http://www.narmtraining.com/transformingtrauma GUEST BIO: Leslie has  been a practicing therapist for over 35 years and has worked in outpatient and residential settings as well as private practice.  She is the Clinical Director at Spring Ridge Academy in Spring Valley, Arizona,  a private, all girl's therapeutic boarding school specializing in treating young women and their families in overcoming emotional and developmental injury.  Leslie is also a certified Clinical Supervisor.  Leslie is also a NARM practitioner and co-training assistant, committed to assisting others in understanding the impact of developmental, attachment and relational trauma.   springridgeacademy.com Leslie Filsinger on LinkedIn *** We want to connect with you! Facebook @NARMtraining Twitter @NARMtraining YouTube Instagram @thenarmtraininginstitute