In this presentation, Multigenerational Trauma (MT): A Legacy of Epigenetic Inheritance, the overarching purpose is to establish the need for service providers to understand how MT intersects all that we do, directly or indirectly. The first part of the presentation lays a foundation for understanding MT from a cultural and epigenetic perspective. This will include demonstrating how it shares traits of PTSD but has distinctive characteristics. Attention will be drawn to how MT continues to impact the very fabric of our society, individuals, families, communities, and all systems of meaning.

Participants will explore a wide variety of situations and people groups with a MT history. This includes those, to give a few examples, American Indians, Afro Americans, Holocaust families, those affected by September 11, 2001, bombing of Murrah building, immigrants from a wide spectrum, etc. Discussion related to the legacy of unresolved grief that is common among each of these groups should help participants understand traits often observed. It will be demonstrated how many of the societal issues we are witnessing are perhaps linked to MT and dysfunctioning ways of coping (e.g., violence, sexual assault, gangs, historical behaviors of families and groups of people, prejudice, addiction and many other mental health concerns, etc.).

Multicultural sensitivity is a key component of the presentation. If health providers are not sensitive to the histories of those served, as well as their personal histories, it may result in an impasse in recovery and healing. A survey developed by the presenter will be introduced, an assessment tool. A key part of the assessment process and treatment planning is dependent upon this process. Participants will be introduced to recognized treatment models for assisting individual, families, and communities break the cycle.