Seeking Safety

Seeking Safety is an evidence-based, present-focused counseling model to help people attain safety from trauma and/or addiction. The Seeking Safety book describes how to conduct it in groups of any size as well as individual modality, for all genders. The model has been used with adults and adolescents (and some elements can be used with younger ages). In over 30 years of use, it has been found to be extremely safe. At every session, both trauma and addiction are addressed but without delving into the past (the detailed narrative of disturbing trauma and addiction memories). It can thus be implemented with any client, from the start of treatment, at all levels of care and the full range of treatment settings. So too any facilitator can conduct it, including all types of professionals as well as peers, paraprofessionals, and advocates. It does not require licensure, experience, or training (unless publishable research is being conducted); we do, however, offer options for training as this can aid implementation. Seeking Safety has 25 treatment topics to choose from, for any timeframe (25 sessions are not needed). It was developed by Lisa Najavits, PhD, at Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital beginning in 1992 under a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The Seeking Safety book provides client handouts and facilitator guidance; and is available in various languages. Only the book is needed for implementation but optional clinical materials are also available.