Unmasking the Hidden: Using Natural Language Processing to Understand Patients with Complex Trauma

Abstract
The workshop, "Uncovering the Linguistic Dimensions of Complex Trauma for Clinical Practice," offers an innovative approach to assessing and treating complex trauma using linguistic analysis. This comprehensive session is designed for clinicians, researchers, and mental health professionals interested in enhancing their understanding and skills in trauma-informed care through the lens of language.

The workshop will begin with a 45-minute session on methodology, introducing participants to the fundamentals of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and the Language Inquiry Word Count (LIWC) methodology. NLP offers a novel yet unobtrusive method for exploring how individuals conceptualize their experiences, allowing for the identification of linguistic patterns that reflect cognitive and emotional processes (Vine et al., 2020). Attendees will learn the technical aspects of conducting a basic natural language analysis and how it complements traditional self-report measures, which are often susceptible to biases such as social desirability or lack of insight (Hill et al., 2018; Hu & Rahnev, 2019).

The following 45 minutes will focus on defining key linguistic dimensions based on the literature, not limited to trauma-specific contexts. This section will explore how different language domains—such as self-referential terms, negations, and present-focused language—can reveal underlying psychological states and relational patterns. For instance, linguistic markers like the frequent use of self-referential terms (e.g., "I") have been shown to reflect struggles with identity, which are central to the experience of complex trauma (Pennebaker et al., 2015). The workshop will cover the significance of these dimensions in understanding complex trauma and their broader implications in psychological assessment and therapy.

The following 45 minutes will be dedicated to practical applications, guiding participants on how to interpret these linguistic dimensions within a psychodynamic framework. The integration of linguistic analysis into clinical practice, with an emphasis on accelerating and enhancing understanding of defensive functioning and character type. Previous studies have highlighted how specific language patterns, such as negations and passive constructions, can indicate avoidance behaviors or psychological distancing, both of which are common in trauma survivors (Nook et al., 2017). Attendees will learn how to prioritize therapeutic interventions based on linguistic cues, ensuring that treatment is tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

The final segment of the workshop will be an engaging experience, involving interactive group exercises. Here, participants will work through 1-2 case studies using the provided linguistic dimension guidebook and sample interpretations. This hands-on experience will not only help crystalize the theoretical knowledge gained but also demonstrate the practical utility of linguistic analysis in real-world clinical settings.

Materials provided will include an evidence-based, comprehensive linguistic dimension guidebook and sample interpretations, which could serve as resources for attendees' continued learning and application. By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to incorporate linguistic analysis into their practice, with the opportunity to enhance existing assessment and treatment approaches to complex trauma.

Timed Outline
45 Minutes - Introduction to emerging technology and clinical work
45 Minutes - Exploration of linguistic dimensions in clinical contexts
30 Minutes - Break
45 Minutes - Application of linguistic analysis in clinical practice
45 Minutes - Interactive group exercises and case study discussions