Training
Workshops for People Working with Trauma

Making Sense of Complex Trauma

Foundations in Trauma-Related Dissociation

2 DAY WORKSHOP

PREREQUISITES:

No prerequisites. All therapeutic orientations are welcome.

Upcoming Live Training Sessions

No upcoming live training sessions at this time.

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Who is this Workshop for?

Mental Health Practitioners who work with trauma and want to become competent working with survivors of complex trauma, whose treatment is complicated and/or who exhibit high levels of internal conflict and symptoms of dissociation. The focus is on adult clients.

Is there any Practicum?

Yes, but it’s optional. There are several opportunities for self-reflection on your caseload and clinical experiences, to try out skills on yourself, and to apply the content to your own work.

What will I learn?

Participants will gain a solid foundation in identifying, assessing and treating complex trauma with dissociative features.  Specifically, they will:

  • Learn a neurobiology- and attachment-oriented model of complex trauma and trauma-related dissociation
  • Get a sound foundation in preparing complex trauma clients for trauma processing by teaching them to regulate their nervous systems with sophisticated application of foundational skills including Grounding, Containment, and physiological Self-Soothing
  • Learn to formulate complex trauma and dissociative systems within a model that organises the treatment targets and structures the therapy
  • Get a method for working with internal conflict and/or dissociated parts that focuses on harmonising the client’s nervous system and reduces internal conflict

Summary / Overview

Working with people with complex trauma is fraught with challenges for the clinician.  While trauma clearly generates the troubling symptoms complex trauma survivors struggle with, it isn’t always possible to work on the trauma right away.  The solution to these challenges comes with having a sound understanding of the neurobiology of trauma and how it can cause internal conflict and self-defeating and therapy-interfering behaviour.  In this workshop, Catherine uses the neurobiology of trauma to develop a model for complex trauma formulation that sets out your therapy goals with clarity.  She discusses special considerations for applying trauma therapy, like using the therapeutic relationship strategically, clearly articulating the process of therapy, and organising the pacing and structure of the therapy appropriately. The ‘how to’ of therapy is clearly illustrated with video case examples of specific skills.  This training provides participates with the foundational skills for treating complex trauma with dissociative features.

Detailed Content Summary

Part 1: Definitions of Trauma

  • Neurobiological formulation of trauma
  • Grounding and Containment

Part 2: Definitions of Dissociation

  • Homeostasis and Balance as the Foundations of Regulation
  • Attachment and Regulation
  • A Case Example to illustrate

Part 3: Formulations

  • Model for Formulation
  • Case Example of the Model

Part 4: Making Therapy Work

  • Explaining Parts to Clients
  • Important Considerations for Effective Therapy

Part 5: Therapeutic Relationship

  • Relational Adversity and Triangulation
  • Boundaries and Boundary Violations

Part 6: Principles of Therapy

  • Straightforward Therapy
  • Equanimity
  • Responsibility

Part 7: Parts Work

  • 7 Elements of Parts Work in detail

Part 8: Structuring the Therapy

  • Phases of Therapy
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