
Healing Addiction & Trauma with Somatic, Gestalt, Polyvagal & Relational Therapy Techniques - August 20, 2025
Includes a Live In-Person Event on 08/20/2025 at 8:30 AM (EDT)
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- Learners - $75
A 6-Hour Training with Rafael Cortina, MFT, MBA, CCTP
8:30am-4:00pm
130 Pembroke Road, Suite 150, Concord, NH 03301
Presentation: Numerous therapists operate within a traditional medical model of addiction treatment, often overlooking the essential role of trauma and the body in the recovery process. This workshop will delve into the powerful integration of somatic work, polyvagal theory, and Relational Gestalt. Offering a comprehensive approach to understanding addiction as functional creative adjustment. Rather than focusing solely on “treatment,” this approach emphasizes creating the conditions for deep, transformative healing by honoring the body’s wisdom, the resilience of the nervous system, and the importance of relational attunement.
In this workshop, you will explore:
- A new paradigm in the understanding of addiction is to evolve from the medical model to a relational approach.
- How to integrate body-centered and parts-oriented techniques to validate the clients’ avoidance as a natural adaptive survival response to trauma.
- How to utilize nervous system regulation techniques to support recovery and resiliency.
- The application of the Compassionate/Relational Gestalt Trauma model to support trauma processing in recovery.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe the therapist's role in fostering healing through compassionate, relational approaches when working with clients experiencing trauma and addiction;
- Display practical exercises to enhance the therapist’s capacity for empathy and compassion, strengthening the therapeutic alliance in trauma and addiction treatment;
- Explain the Compassionate/Relational Gestalt Trauma model to support trauma processing in recovery, which supports emotional attunement, trust-building, and co-creating a safe space for clients; and
- List practical nervous system regulation techniques for facilitating transformative healing experiences in therapy, promoting personal growth and recovery for clients dealing with trauma and addiction.
6 Contact Hours Available
CRSW Performance Domains: 1 & 3-4
LADC/MLADC Categories of Competence: 5-7, 11 & 14-18
Certified Prevention Specialist Domains: 6
NBCC: LICSW/L-MFT/LCMHC (Category A) & Psychologist (Category A)
NH Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No 6754. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NHADACA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
This training is financed under a contract with the State of NH, Department of Health and Human Services, with funds provided in part by the State of NH and/or such funding sources as were available or required, e.g., the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Rafael Cortina
Rafael Cortina, MFT, MBA, CCTP is a licensed and bilingual (English-Spanish) therapist. He has over 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples, families and groups. Rafael is a Master Addiction Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Gestalt Therapist and a Certified Gestalt Couples Therapist. He has specialized training in EMDR, TRM, addiction treatment and trauma work. He is an Adjunct Faculty Member at National University and a Newsletter Editor/Board Member at the International Association of Advancement in Gestalt Therapy.
He has experience working with Mood Disorders (Depression and Bipolar), Anxiety Disorders, Addiction, Grief and Loss issues, Dual Diagnosis (Substance use and a mental health disorder), Trauma work, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender clients, HIV/AIDS Counseling, Dreamwork, Couples therapy and Gestalt oriented psychotherapy. As presenter and facilitator of several workshops, training, lectures, international conferences and supervision, virtually and in-person, in Mexico, USA, Australia, Canada, Africa, Asia and Europe.