It is a new year, but Hurricane Sandy and the Sandy Hook Elementary School remain with us, some of us more than others. Hurricane Sandy made us aware of just how vulnerable we are. In a moment our homes can be gone and loved ones lost. The Sandy HookSchool shooting tore at our hearts as we watched children like our own children, grandchildren or children as we once were, destroyed in a moment. Unimaginable violence seemed to have won. |
Some of us watched this from a distance, but for some of us it was very close to home causing serious distress for ourselves, our families and/or for our friends. For those who were directly impacted in any of these ways we send our condolences. Experiences like these do not melt like snow in spring; they can hang on for a long time, eased somewhat by friends, families and supportive communities. We hope we can be part of those supportive communities and as such assure you that we are thinking about you, knowing that beyond Hurricane Sandy and Sandy HookElementary School there were other troubling crises throughout the States last year, some of which may have been in your neighborhood. |
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As group therapists, many of us are working with individuals, couples, families and communities, going through these difficult assaults and losses. We are aware that as well as being an important service it can also be hard work. In addition, we are aware of the risks involved in this work such as becoming secondarily traumatized oneself, sometimes outside our awareness. We offer support for those of you involved in this work and thank you for doing it. |
We wanted to make sure you were aware that the AGPA website at www.agpa.org has resources that are available to you, whether you were impacted directly by these tragedies and/or are working with people trying to recover from these traumatic events. There are a number of materials on the site for clinicians, the public and the media regarding the effects of trauma and the appropriate and effective use of group interventions, including electronic copies of the modules in the AGPA training manual "Group Interventions for Treatment of Psychological Trauma." There is also information on how parents can talk to their children about events such as these. You can find these materials in our Outreach Resource section of the website. |
Please use and/or share these resources as you feel appropriate. |
Our best to you and yours, |
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Suzanne B. Phillips Psy.D., CGP FAGPA and Cecil A. Rice, Ph.D., CGP DFAGPA
Co-Chairs, AGPA Community Outreach Task Force |
