Exploring Trauma+ is a newly revised evidence-based six-session trauma intervention designed for people who have experienced abuse and trauma. Our understanding of gender has shifted from the binary male-female model to a more inclusive and expansive model. This second edition of Exploring Trauma is now entitled Exploring Trauma+: A Brief Intervention for Men and Gender-Diverse People in order to reflect the changes in this new edition. We have expanded the definition of gender responsive to include the experiences of transgender and nonbinary people. This new material has inclusive pronouns, as well as examples of traumatic events and focus questions specific to this group.

This six-session program includes a facilitator guide and a reproducible participant workbook (available in both English and Spanish) designed for working with men, transgender and nonbinary people in a setting where a short-term intervention is needed. Examples of settings in which the program can be used are a community-based program, such as a community mental health center; an addiction treatment program; a private practice setting; a correctional facility (jail or prison); or an agency charged with addressing domestic violence.

Each session contains multiple activities that may include discussions, role-plays, interactive projects and grounding/self-soothing exercises. Some sessions utilize guided imagery, or visualization—the goal being to allow men the opportunity to imagine scenarios that are different from their own realities and offers them an opportunity to safely envision different behaviors.

What Are the Program Components?

Exploring Trauma+ includes a reproducible facilitator guide and a reproducible participant workbook (in both English and Spanish) on a USB. The facilitator guide contains background information about trauma and session outlines that are similar to lesson plans. The six sessions in the program are:

Session 1: Welcome and Introduction to the Subject of Trauma
Session 2: Exploring Trauma
Session 3: Thinking, Feeling and Acting
Session 4: Beyond Guilt, Shame, and Anger
Session 5: Healthy Relationships
Session 6: Love, Endings, and Certificates