TARGET is designed to address the primary personal issues that are related to trauma, such as PTSD symptoms, rage, traumatic grief, survivor guilt, shame, interpersonal rejection, and existential/spiritual alienation.The seven (7) core skills in TARGET are taught through repeated coaching and guided practice and are described by the acronym, F.R.E.E.D.O.M.

Being focused helps a person pay attention and think about what’s happening right now instead of just reacting based on alarm signals tied to past trauma.  This step teaches participants to use the SOS skill (Slow down, Orient, Self-check) to pay attention to body signals and the immediate environment, and to use a simple scale to measure stress and control levels.


Recognizing trauma triggers enables a person to anticipate and re-set alarm signals as they learn to distinguish between a real threat and a reminder.  This step helps participants identify personal triggers, take control, and short circuit alarm reactions.


The goal of this skill is to identify two types of emotions.  The first are “alarm” or reactive emotions such as terror, rage, shame, hopelessness, and guilt.  Because these emotions are the most noticeable after trauma, they are the alarm system’s way of keeping a person primed and ready to fend off further danger.  The second type of emotion, “main” emotions, include positive feelings (i.e., happiness, love, comfort, compassion) and feelings that represent positive strivings (i.e., hope, interest, confidence).  By balancing both kinds of emotions a person can reflect and draw on his/her own values and hopes even when the alarm is activated.


When the brain is in alarm mode, thinking tends to be rigid, global, and catastrophic.  Evaluating thoughts, as with identifying emotions, is about achieving a healthier balance of positive as well as negative thinking.  Through a 2-part process, participants learn to evaluate the situation and their options with a focus on how they choose to act – moving from reactive thoughts to “main” thoughts.  This is a fundamental change from the PTSD pattern, which causes problems by taking a person straight from alarm signals to automatic survival reactions.


Reactive goals tend to be limited to just making it through the immediate situation or away from the source of danger.  These reactive goals are necessary in true emergencies, but they do not reflect a person’s “main” goals of doing worthwhile things right now and for ultimately achieving a good and meaningful life.  This step teaches a person how to begin to create “main” goals that reflect their deeper hopes and values.


The only options that are available when the brain’s alarm is turned on and won’t go off are automatic “flight/fight” or “freeze/submit” reactive behaviors that are necessary in emergencies but often unhelpful in ordinary living.  This step helps identify the positive intentions that are often hidden by the more extreme reactive options generated by the alarm system.  This opens the possibility for a greater range of options that take into consideration one’s own needs and goals as well as those of others.


When the brain’s alarm is turned on and reacting to ordinary stressors as if they were emergencies, it is very difficult for a person to come away from experiences with a feeling that they have made a positive difference.  This can lead to feelings of alienation, worthlessness, or spiritual distress.  The ultimate goal of TARGET is to empower adults and young people to think clearly enough to feel in control of their alarm reactions and, as a result, to be able to fairly recognize the contribution they are making not only to their own lives but also to making other people’s lives better.