The Integrative Stage Model approach to the case of Katrina Original Research Article

The Integrative Stage Model (ISM) is applied to Katrina, a trauma survivor suffering primarily from chronic post-traumatic stress disorder and associated long-standing interpersonal and affect regulation difficulties, which often result in self-injurious behavior, The ISM is a long-term, integrative, feminist-oriented stage approach focused on self-care/safety, interpersonal functioning, and trauma processing. An interpersonal/process-oriented approach is used to facilitate the development of trust and to work on the patientʹs interpersonal difficulties. Directive approaches are utilized within this context to preserve the patientʹs safety, to challenge her nonadaptive cognitive distortions, to increase the patientʹs coping skills, to educate her about her disorders and treatment, to process traumas, and to translate insights and understanding in therapy to action outside of session.