Loading the player...
Closed Captioning / Subtitles Available
Information
Basic Clinical Science
Copyright :
Bessel’s Section:
One of the most important findings regarding traumatic stress has been how it affects the developing brain,: different forms of trauma at different stages of development, have significantly different effects on brain functioning and mental development. We will examine prospective and retrospective data on various forms of trauma on neural development, as well as epigenetic changes. We will look at how trauma affects one’s relationship towards one’s body, identity and the sense of self; we will view how neurofeedback can help regulate abnormal brain circuitry, and present the latest data on how psychedelic agents can change mental and neurobiological processes.
Ressler and Teicher Section:
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) manifests after exposure to a traumatic event and is characterized by avoidance/numbing, intrusive symptoms and flashbacks, mood and cognitive disruptions, and hyperarousal/reactivity symptoms. These symptoms reflect dysregulation of the fear system likely caused by poor fear inhibition/extinction, increased generalization, and/or enhanced consolidation or acquisition of fear. Increasingly, animal models of trauma exposure as well as human neuroimaging of PTSD suggests that sensory cortical areas are involved in the encoding of trauma, in addition to the well-established threat circuitry such as amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex. These data support a multimodal representation of trauma that can be experienced in different ways from primarily sensory phenomena, to dissociation, to ‘classic’ threat-based hyperarousal and intrusive symptoms. I will discuss the evidence for genetic, neurobiological, and neural circuit mechanisms to understanding PTSD and future approaches to neurobiology-based interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder that have been developed via a bench to bedside translational models.
Singer Section:
Recently the fields of contemplative and social neurosciences have provided ample evidence for the beneficial effects of mindfulness- and compassion-based practices on mental health, resilience and social cohesion. I will present an overview of findings from two mental training studies, the ReSource and the CovSocial projects, on diverse training outcomes ranging from changes in brain structure and function, stress hormones, interoceptive body awareness to subjective wellbeing, prosocial behavior and cooperation. Whereas the first project, the ReSource project, was a large-scale 9-month longitudinal mental training study including more than 90 measures, the CovSocial project investigated how to reduce mental health problems exacerbated during the Covid19 pandemic through a purely app-based 10-week online program comparing the differential efficiency of classic mindfulness versus partner-based socio-emotional training (Dyads). I will discuss the findings in the context of their relevance for clinical applications and society at large.
Siegel Section:
Mindfulness and compassion practices are now part of mainstream psychotherapy, while recently research on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has mushroomed, offering not only possible breakthrough treatments for trauma, but providing new insights into the nature of psychological distress and mechanisms of healing.
Why have we humans sought non-ordinary states to heal psychological injuries for millennia? How can recent research developments inform our clinical practice even if we’re not participating in the studies? This presentation will explore the common healing factors in non-ordinary states of consciousness and their practical applications in diverse forms of therapy.
Bessel A. van der Kolk, MD, Trauma Research Foundation
Bessel A. van der Kolk, MD, is a clinician, researcher and teacher in the area of post-traumatic stress. His work integrates developmental, neurobiological, psychodynamic and interpersonal aspects of the impact of trauma and its treatment.
Dr. van der Kolk and his various collaborators have published extensively on the impact of trauma on development, such as dissociative problems, borderline personality and self-mutilation, cognitive development, memory, and the psychobiology of trauma. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed scientific articles on such diverse topics as neuroimaging, self-injury, memory, neurofeedback, Developmental Trauma, yoga, theater, and EMDR.
He is founder of the Trauma Center in Brookline, Massachusetts and President of the Trauma Research Foundation, which promotes clinical, scientific, and educational projects.
His 2014 #1 New York Times best seller, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Treatment of Trauma, transforms our understanding of traumatic stress, revealing how it literally rearranges the brain’s wiring – specifically areas dedicated to pleasure, engagement, control, and trust. He shows how these areas can be reactivated through innovative treatments including neurofeedback, somatically based therapies, EMDR, psychodrama, play, yoga, and other therapies.
Dr. van der Kolk is the past president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and professor of psychiatry at Boston University Medical School. He regularly teaches at conferences, universities, and hospitals around the world.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Bessel van der Kolk is a professor at Boston University School of Medicine, the Director of the Trauma Center, and the National Complex Trauma Network. He receives royalties as a published author. Dr. van der Kolk receives a speaking honorarium, recording royalties, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Bessel van der Kolk has no relevant non-financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Kerry Ressler, MD, PhD
Kerry J. Ressler, MD, PhD, is chief scientific officer and James and Patricia Poitras Chair in Psychiatry at McLean Hospital. He is also a professor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and past president of the Society for Biological Psychiatry. Dr. Ressler was previously an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and is a member of the National Academy of Medicine.
Dr. Ressler’s lab focuses on translational research bridging molecular neurobiology in animal models with human genetic research on emotion, particularly fear and anxiety disorders. He has published over 350 manuscripts ranging from basic molecular mechanisms of fear processing to understanding how emotion is encoded in a region of the brain called the amygdala, in both animal models and human patients.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Kerry Ressler has employment relationships with Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University McLean Hospital, Harvard University, Emory University Hospital, Wesley Woods Geriatric Hospital, and Grady Memorial Hospital. He is on the scientific advisory board of the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD)/Brain and Behavior Foundation, the Marine Resiliency Study, the Army STARRS, One Mind for Research, and the National Center for PTSD. Dr. Ressler receives grants from the NIH and has relationships with Boehringer Ingelheim, Senseye, Inc., Sage, and the Brain Research Foundation. He receives royalties as a published author. He receives a consulting fee from Jazz Pharma and Bionomics. Dr. Ressler receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc.
Non-financial: Dr. Kerry Ressler is a member of the Society for Neuroscience, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Medical Association. He serves on the editorial board for International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies and the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.
Martin Teicher, MD, PhD
Martin Teicher, MD, PhD, has been director of the Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program at McLean Hospital since 1988. He was the director of the former Developmental Psychopharmacology Laboratory (now the Laboratory of Developmental Neuropharmacology) and is currently an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Teicher is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, Current Pediatric Reviews, and Current Psychosomatic Medicine. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Council of the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation and has been part of Harvard University’s Brain Development Working Group. He has served on or chaired numerous review committees for the National Institutes of Health, published more than 150 articles, and has received numerous honors.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Martin Teicher has employment relationships with Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital. He receives grants from ANS Research Foundation, MIDA, Harvard Brain Science Initiative Bipolar Disorder Seed Grant, NIH/NIDA - National Institute on Drug Abuse. Dr. Teicher receives compensation as a consultant. He receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Martin Teicher serves on the scientific advisory board for SMARTfit™ and is a board member of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, the Children, Youth and Families of National Academy of Sciences, and the Trauma Research Foundation. He is a trustee of Robert E. Kahn MD and Elizabeth L. Kahn Family Foundation. Dr. Teicher is a member of the International Behavioral Neuroscience Society, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the Society of Biological Psychiatry, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He is a is an Ad hoc reviewer and editor for several peer review journals, for a complete list contact PESI, Inc.
Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD
Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD, has spent over 35 years as a part-time assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. A long-time student of mindfulness meditation, he serves on the Board of Directors and faculty of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. He also teaches internationally about mind-body medicine and the application of mindfulness and compassion practices in psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and other fields.
Dr. Siegel has edited and written several books, including the critically acclaimed professional text, Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, 2nd Edition, a comprehensive guide for general audiences. He also authored several professional guides: The Mindfulness Solution: Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems, Sitting Together: Essential Skills for Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy and Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy. His step-by-step self-treatment guide, Back Sense, integrates mindfulness practice, aggressive rehabilitation, and mind-body approaches to treat chronic back and neck pain.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Ronald Siegel maintains a private practice and has employment relationships with Harvard Medical School, the University of Massachusetts, and the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. He receives compensation as an international presenter. Ronald Siegel receives royalties as a published author. Ronald Siegel receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from Psychotherapy Networker and PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Ronald Siegel is a member of the American Psychological Association. He is an author for Psychotherapy Networker.
