Full Course Description

On hope, despair and transformation: powerful stories of women in therapy

Copyright : 11/05/2020

Bodies and Boundaries: Attending to Women’s Somatic Narratives of Trauma

Pat Ogden, PhD, explains somatic narratives of trauma. Socialization and gender roles in society impact the somatic narrative and boundary styles. She presents techniques for improving boundaries and mobilizing a defense, especially for clients dealing with trauma.

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze body language and posture for symptoms of unresolved trauma and maladaptive boundaries.
Formulate changes in action and thought patterns with an awareness of systemic and societal gender discrimination as well as individual clients’ needs.
Practice strategies for establishing healthy boundaries and mobilizing defense.

Outline

The Wisdom of the Body
The Somatic Narrative
Socialization and Gender Roles Impact the Somatic Narrative
Cultural Expectations and the Implications for Women
Socialization and Gender Roles Impact Boundaries
Boundary Styles: Under-bounded, Over-bounded, Pendulum, and Inconsistent Social Location
Rape Culture
Neuroception: How We Assess Safety, Danger, and Life Threat
The Modulation Model
Immobilizing Defenses: Freeze and Feigned Death
Priming Adaptive Proximity Seeking Actions
Exercises to Practice Boundaries and Prime Actions of Mobilizing Defense
Supporting Integrated Action

Copyright : 10/23/2020

Advances in Treating Trauma-related Dissociation

ln this course, Kathy Steele identifies what dissociation is, the challenges one faces when working with dissociation regarding the dance between attachment and defense; and the role of the therapeutic relationship as a stabilizing factor. Attachment strategies, the basic principles in working with parts, and a systematic approach to working with parts will also be discussed and evaluated.

Program Information

Objectives

Differentiate between dissociative parts and ego states.
Analyze attachment strategies, investigate the principles of working with parts, and justify the use of a systemic treatment approach for improved clinical outcomes.
Evaluate the role of trauma-related phobias and other factors that contribute to maintaining dissociation.

Outline

Working with Women

What is Dissociation?

Dissociative Parts vs. Ego States

The Attachment Dilemma

Attachment vs. Defense
The Therapeutic Relationship
Dependency, Attachment, & Interdependence

Attachment Strategies

Managing Relationships
Defending Against Relationships
Dissociative Attachment Cycle

Working with Disorganized Attachment

Basic Principles in Working with Parts
What Maintains Dissociation?
Trauma Related Phobias

A Systematic Approach to Dissociation

Working with Parts in an Integrative Fashion

Q&A

Copyright : 11/05/2020

Overcoming Self-alienation: Transformational Approaches to Repairing a Ruptured Internal Attachment

Attachment disruptions are inevitable and inescapable in trauma clients, leaving behind a lasting imprint on all future relationships, including the therapeutic one. Join master clinician and trauma expert Janina Fisher, PhD., as she analyzes the developmental sources of self-alienation and ruptured attachments. You will learn proven therapeutic techniques to repair disrupted attachments and restore self-acceptance. The particular vulnerabilities and defensive strategies of women and girls are carefully addressed and gender informed treatment approaches presented.

Program Information

Objectives

Assess attachment styles and associated history of attachment disruptions.
Analyze the influences of gender on expression of defensive strategies.
Utilize interventions that improve self-acceptance and effectively address shame.

Outline

Overcoming Self-Alienation: Healing Ruptured Internal Attachments

Infant attachment formation

Effects of neglect and abuse
Encoding of early experiences – attachment legacies
Development of negative internal self-relationship

Internal attachment styles

Self alienation as survival response
Dissociation as reaction to overwhelming trauma
Gender roles in response to trauma or abuse

Development of self-identity in the face of trauma

Manifestations of self-alienation

Primary and secondary dissociation

Hemispheric differentiation in response
Defensive strategies – gender differences

Attending to the internal community

Repairing internal attachments

The challenge of self-acceptance

Integration of internal family systems

Self-healing for women

Speaking on behalf of parts
Befriending one’s selves

From alienation to attachment

Rupture and repair of internal attachment

Question and Answer

Socialization of girls
Working with shame and chronic depression
Addressing vicarious trauma

Copyright : 11/05/2020

The Place of Justice in Recovering from Complex Trauma: A survivor’s perspective

Judith Herman M.D., will discuss the impact the justice system has on complex trauma survivors, survivors’ perspective of the justice system, and what justice looks like to survivors of complex trauma.

Program Information

Objectives

Integrate “Rules for Relationship of Mutuality” into treatment and practice with complex trauma survivors.
Distinguish victim needs verse justice requirements.
Develop knowledge and processes of using groups when working with complex trauma survivors.

Outline

Tyranny

Basic Rules

Impunity

The impact

Rules of Relationships of Mutuality

The idea of a “Moral Community”

Trust
Failure

Betrayal

Family
Institutional

Victim Needs vs Justice Requirements

The views of survivors

Visions of Justice

Importance of acknowledgement
Transferring the burden of shame
Importance of vindication

Apology

True
Insincere
Reconciliation?

Honor for Victims

Accountability for perpetrators
Preventing future harm
Restitution
- The Crime Victims Fund

Groups for Survivors

Shame
Isolation
Benefits of co-leaders
Righteous indignation

Copyright : 11/05/2020

Panel: Addressing Collective Trauma: Healing Individuals, Communities and Generations

Join thought leaders Dr. Eboni Webb, Dr. Anne Aiyegbusi and Dr. Judith Herman in a challenging panel discussion of systematic racism, societal structures and the roles required by all of us in creating an equitable society and healing the wounds of a legacy of collective trauma.

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze the role of White privilege and unconscious collusion in sustaining systematic racism.
Determine the most appropriate roles for individuals intervening to repair oppressive societal structures.
Evaluate the most promising interventions toward healing legacy trauma.

Outline

Understanding trauma from the individual, community and collective perspective

Impact of George Floyd murder

Covid effect on lowering defenses
Minimal consequences for police brutality

White privilege and collusion with institutional racism

Implicit organizations and networks in response
Color blindness in allies of the cause
Collective mental illness

PTSD influences in returning Viet Nam veterans

Denial and dissociation

Deconstructing the concept of race – paradigm shifts in Millennials

Perpetuating disruptive cycles
Healing societal structures
Legacies of Jim Crow, white privilege and slavery

When victims become victimizers – using the master’s tools

Responding to Black experience

Annihilation of Black history

Diversity within ethnic groups

Avoiding disruptive hierarchies of suffering
Dominant and subordinate group cognitive patterns

The value of an intersectional framework

Training therapists to address race based trauma

Creating change in training environments
Proactive roles required of allies

Copyright : 11/05/2020

Integrating Expressive Arts Techniques When Treating Trauma

In this course, Cathy Malchiodi, Ph.D., explains how integrating Expressive Arts Therapy techniques when treating trauma in women can result in improved clinical outcomes. Dr. Machiodi explains what Expressive Arts Therapy is, elaborates on the neuroscience supporting expressive methods, and identifies the foundational principles of expressive methods. Dr. Malchiodi provides an overview of expressive approaches for trauma recovery, including specific techniques proven to be useful in working with women who have experienced sexual trauma and domestic violence.

Program Information

Objectives

Formulates what Expressive Art Therapy is and evaluates the foundational principles of expressive methods.
Appraises neuroscientific and research support for the efficacy of Expressive Art Therapy as an effective and integrative treatment intervention.
Analyzes the Culturally-Resonant Four Part Model for Expressive Arts and Trauma, including the use of movement, sound, storytelling, and silence.
Investigates expressive approaches shown to be effective in working with women who have experienced trauma, including interventions to activate the ventral vagal system and promote healing through regaining one’s voice.

Outline

Overview of Expressive Arts to Help People Regain Their Voice

What is Expressive Arts Therapy?
Integrative vs. Expressive

The Neuroscience of “Why Expressive Methods?”

Foundational Principles
Awareness of Inner Experience
Trauma Recovery
Higher Brain Disruption

Culturally-Resonant Four Part Model for Expressive Arts & Trauma

Movement
Sound
Storytelling
Silence
Expressive Approaches & Trauma Recovery
Bottom-up & Top-Down Processing

Working with Women Through Expressive Methods

The Role of Vocalizations in Trauma
Sound & Rhythm to Activate the Ventral Vagal System
Working Through a Continuum of the Senses Activity
- The Sigh
- Common Sounds

Q&A

Copyright : 11/06/2020

Embodied Practices for Treating Trauma and Finding Inner Calm

Arielle Schwartz, PhD, details polyvagal theory and explains how it relates to trauma reprocessing. She synthesizes techniques from neuropsychotherapy and somatic psychology for treating complex PTSD. She also presents exercises to awaken the social engagement system, anchor the self, and build sensation tolerance.

Program Information

Objectives

Apply polyvagal theory research findings to regulation of trauma processing arousal states.
Utilize concepts from neuropsychotherapy and somatic psychology in assessing trauma and determining treatment.
Practice experiential, body-centered exercises to strengthen social engagement and enhance inner resource.

Outline

Modeling the Brain
PTSD Dissociative Subtype (vs. Non-dissociative Subtype)
The Vagus Nerve: Ventral Vagal Circuit and Dorsal Vagal Circuit
Polyvagal Theory (Porges, 2011)
Conditioned Immobilization
The Social Nervous System
Social Nervous System “Hybrid” States in Times of Safety
Neuroception
Perception of Neuroception
Exercise to Awaken the Social Engagement System
Neuropsychotherapy and Trauma Treatment: The Six Rs of Neuropsychotherapy
Integrative Mind-Body Approach to Trauma Treatment
Co-Regulation
Anchoring the Self
Dual Awareness
Working the Edge of the Window of Tolerance
Build Sensation Tolerance
Somatic Psychology: A Five Stage Model for Embodiment in Trauma Treatment
A Note on Resilience
Q & A

Copyright : 11/06/2020

Resilience: Transforming Any Adversity into Learning and Growth

In this course, Linda Graham, MFT, explains that adversity can be transformed into learning and growth via an understanding of resilience, post traumatic growth, and growth mindsets. In this course, she identifies what resilience is and the traits of resilient people. She defines post-traumatic growth, identifies 5 factors of post-traumatic growth, and highlights the importance and significance of a growth mindset for the purpose of improving clinical outcomes, healing, and developing long-term healthy coping skills.

Program Information

Objectives

Evaluate 3 areas of research and practice that can inform and guide our work with trauma survivors.
Integrate and elaborate on tools to build resilience and assess resilience as a learnable and trainable skill.
Assess how to shift mindsets in order to foster a growth mindset, improve clinical outcomes, develop healthy coping skills, and promote healing from trauma.

Outline

Resilience

What is Resilience?
Traits of Resilient People
Post-Traumatic Growth
Choice = Responsibility

Evolving Understandings of Resilience

Neuroplasticity
Learning & Training Resilience
Trauma Research

5 Factors of Post Traumatic Growth

Acceptance of Reality
Resources with People
Recognizing the Positive
Finding the Silver Lining
Coherent Narrative

Fixed & Growth Mindsets

Changing Mindsets

Q&A

Copyright : 11/06/2020

The Body Remembers: The Interplay of Regulation, Self-care and Vicarious Trauma

Babette Rothschild, MSW, LCSW, will discuss the impact vicarious trauma can have on helping professionals, the importance of self care, and will provide skills and education on how to effectively incorporate empathy and compassion when working with clients.

Program Information

Objectives

Build an understanding of vicarious trauma and its impacts.
Differentiate between the use of empathy and compassion (the use of the “empathy dial”) in session.
Utilize the six levels of the Autonomic Nervous System as it related to clinical practice.

Outline

Vicarious trauma

Definition

Empathy vs compassion

Definition of empathy
Use of empathy and compassion together
Mirroring
Mindfulness
Empathy dial
Taking breaks

Autonomic Nervous System

Three parasympathetic arousal levels
Three sympathetic arousal levels
Lethargic vs hypo freeze

Copyright : 11/06/2020

Panel: Post Traumatic Growth: Essential Skills for Recovery and Resilience

In this panel, Babette Rothschild, MSW, LCSW, Linda Graham, MFT, and Julia Samuel, MBE, discuss the essential skills that promote recovery and resilience in women who have experienced trauma. They assert that stabilization is a pre-requisite for treating traumatic growth in order to prevent instability in the client; they evaluate the role of both top-down and bottom-up processing interventions for effective treatment of post-traumatic growth. And they highlight the importance of the therapeutic relationship for creating safety, establishing the foundation of treatment, modeling healthy relationships, and bridging healthy relationships and coping in daily life.

Program Information

Objectives

Evaluate what Post-Traumatic Growth is and what essential skills are needed for building resilience.
Analyze why stabilization is necessary prior to beginning work with trauma clients in order to improve treatment outcomes and prevent a breakdown in functioning and coping.
Investigate the importance of both top-down and bottom-up processing to facilitate healing and resilience from trauma.

Outline

The Role of Top-Down & Bottom-Up Processing in Resilience

Mind & Body Together
The Role of Oxytocin in Promoting Healing for Women
Co-regulation & Connection
Psychoeducation

The Role of Stabilization as a Pre-requisite for Traumatic Growth

Stabilization for Daily Life
Working with Trauma Memories Creates Instability
Stabilizing Neurological Pathways
Balance of Stability & Flexibility

The Therapeutic Relationship

Trauma in Relationships
Therapeutic Relationship as the Foundation of Treatment
Therapeutic Relationship as the Bridge into Daily Life

The Future of Trauma Treatment

Theories vs. Facts
Much More to Learn
Women’s Issues Driving Research
Doing What Works for the Client
Sharing of Knowledge

Q&A

Shame - The Meaning of Shame in the Treatment of Trauma

Program Information

Objectives

Assess shame in a client and employ techniques to address that shame.
Integrate techniques for handling shame productively into trauma treatment.
Differentiate between different sources of shame so that clients can be approached appropriately.

Outline

Definitions of Shame
Clients with an Entrenched Sense of Worthlessness and Self-loathing
Sources of Shame
Shame in Society
Class Shame
Differences in Shame with Relation to Gender, Culture, and Race
Shame as a Parenting Technique
Transgenerational Shame
Somatic Responses to Shame
Racial and Ethnic Issues Related to Shame
Techniques for Working with Shame
Changing States Rather than Minds
Dissociative Clients
Attachment Styles
Guilt as a Source of Shame
Techniques for Working with Children
Making Ashamed Parts Resourceful
Shame Deeply Entrenched in Religious or Cultural Beliefs
Throat-Closing

Essential Trauma Treatment Strategies: The Importance of Orienting and Defensive Responses

Program Information

Objectives

Assess the role of systematic oppression and legacy issues in trauma symptom presentations.
Identify physical expressions of trauma defenses and integrate them into the therapeutic process.
Implement body-based activity interventions to improve the body’s capacity to regulate trauma related symptoms.

Outline

The psychology of action

Autonomic arousal and sympathetic mitigation
Locus of traumatic responses

Body interventions developed as response to lack of efficacy of cognitive interventions

Trauma and sexuality
Childhood trauma defenses
Dysregulated active responses

Orienting reflexes and habits

Trauma history affects selectivity
Presentation in therapy sessions

Political movements, Covid-19 and trauma

Maintaining Window of Tolerance

How defenses are immobilized

Systemic racism and the legacy of slavery

Nature of threat

Truncated defense reactions and boundary issues

Involuntary and predictive defense responses
Physical presentations of defense reactions
Using the body to access formative beliefs

Working with shame

Systemic oppression and White shame

Implicit bias and how it shows up in therapy

Managing trauma with dance and movement

Regulating angry impulses in therapy

Therapeutic exercises for increasing body connection

Spiritual aspects of trauma work

Somatic work in a virtual environment

Complex Trauma – Advances in Working with Structural Dissociation

Program Information

Objectives

Analyzes the two perspectives of Structural Dissociation: Psychobiology and Psychology.
Differentiates between Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Dissociative Disorder, NOS and evaluates co-morbidity diagnoses.
Investigates the role of disorganized attachment in Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and identifies the factors that contribute to DID.
Defends the importance of stabilization and building resources to foster developmental repair which is necessary for clients prior to accessing trauma experiences.

Outline

What is Structural Dissociation?

Psychobiology
Psychology

The Dissociation Spectrum

Separate Continuums
Distinguishing Spacing-Out from Parts

Diagnosing

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) vs. Dissociative Disorder, NOS
Co-morbidity
Reframing DID as Survival/Coping Mechanisms

The Role of Attachment in Dissociation

Attachment Organizes Our Behavior to Gain Connection
Prosocial Systems
Threat Systems
Discrepant Sense of Self
Inability to Organize
Disorganized Attachment & DID

Blending

Dissociation as a Flux State
Integrative Experiences
Differentiating Between PTSD, DID and Acute Trauma

Treatment of Complex Trauma

Identifying Traumatic Events
How We Respond to Traumatic Events
Trauma-Informed Work
Acceptance of Traumatic Event
Capacity & Development

Stabilization

Length of Time
4 Core DBT Skills
Mentalizing Skills
Ability to Recognize Somatic Sensation
Trauma Related Phobias

Treatment Interventions

Daily Life Experiences in the Present
What are the Blocks/Resistances to Traumatic Memories?
Trauma Exposure
Stabilization vs. No Stabilization Debate

Q&A

A Mind-Body Approach to Race-Based Traumatic Stress Recovery

Program Information

Outline

Race-Based Traumatic Stress: differentiation from PTSD
High-effort coping
The physiology of emotion
Emotional regulation tools
Restorative Yoga as a helpful tool for clients

Objectives

Determine the difference between PTSD and race-based traumatic stress.
Practice emotional regulation tools such as restorative yoga.
Incorporate restorative yoga as a helpful aid in your treatment planning to help clients cope with race-based traumatic stress.

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage and Family Therapists
Social Workers
Psychologists
Psychotherapists
Other Mental Health Professionals