Complex Trauma, Dissociation and Adoption - Supporting Families and Avoiding Disruption

Abstract
Dissociation in children and adolescents has been largely denied, minimized, and ignored. Trauma and its’ impact on young children have similarly been denied, minimized, and ignored. The belief that children are not affected by very early events combined with a narrow, adult-lens definition of the word “trauma” and a poor understanding of early attachment dynamics has created a kind of “adoption trauma blindness”. In clinical practice I’ve encountered many knowledgeable, experienced and committed adoptive parents who were blindsided by the difficulties they experienced with their adoptive children. I’ve encountered an equal number of young people who have had their adoptions break down, leading to further trauma and loss. Between 5-20% of adoptions in the United States experience disruptions ranging from foster placement to permanent breakdown. Canada doesn’t track adoption failures or disruptions, but experts estimate the numbers are similar. Even when adoptions don’t break down, adoptive families can experience challenges ranging from the disruptive to the devastating. Adoptees are four times more likely to commit suicide than non-adoptees; they are twice as likely to experience addiction. Parenting an adoptee with unrecognized trauma, unacknowledged attachment difficulties or an undiagnosed dissociative disorder can range from the confusing to the terrifying. Parents experience a range of reactions from others, from dismissal to outright blame. This workshop will begin by examining the mechanisms by which pre-adoption complex trauma and loss can impact family integration. Different post-adoption outcomes will be discussed. Using both didactic and interactive methods, the assessment of pre-adoption traumatic impact, treatment planning and specific treatment tools and techniques will be explored. Be increasing transparency about the potential challenges in adoption, providing meaningful pre-adoption training and post-adoption support, we can greatly improve the outcome for many adopted children.

This session was originally presented as a live conference session in April 2023.

Target Audience

Intermediate

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to:

  • Identify factors that contribute to adoption breakdown
  • Discuss the impacts of adoption challenges, disruptions and breakdowns on adoptees and adoptive families
  • Assess the specific impacts of pre and post adoption challenges for specific children and families
  • Identify the impact of dissociation on the adaptation of adopted children
  • Apply new techniques and interventions in supporting adopted children’s integration into their families
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 3.00 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 3.00 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3.00 continuing education credits.
  • 3.00 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 3.00 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
Course opens: 
11/01/2023
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
ISSTD Member cost:
$59.00
Your Price:
$79.00
Part of: 
Against the Grain: Shifting the Societal Denial of Dissociation (2023 Annual Conference) - Day Three
Rating: 
0
Presenter: Niki Gomez-Perales, MSW, RSW
Presenter Bio: Niki Gomez-Perales, M.S.W., R.S.W., is a recognized expert in the areas of children's mental health, complex trauma, attachment and dissociation. Niki completed her B.S.W. from McMaster University in 1986 and her M.S.W. from the University of Toronto in 1991. She has more than 30 years of experience in the fields of child welfare and children's mental health. Niki worked as a therapist at a Children's Mental Health clinic in Hamilton Ontario for 26 years. She is currently in private practice, working with families with issues stemming from early trauma and/or adoption. Niki has lectured on Complex Trauma and Attachment with the ISST-D, the ESTD, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Association for Training on Trauma and Attachment in Children, Safeguards Training for Children and Adult Services and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She has special interests in the areas of Interpersonal Neurobiology, Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Experiencing, Early and Pre-verbal Trauma and Attachment. Niki has advanced training in EMDR, Clinical Hypnosis, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy. She is an active member and Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation and a winner of the ISSTD 2016 written media award for her book, "Attachment-Focused Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents: Phase-Oriented Strategies for Addressing Complex Trauma Disorders,” (2015. Routledge). Niki's second book, "Attachment Focused Toolbox: Phase Oriented Strategies, techniques and tools for Addressing Complex Trauma Disorders in Children and Adolescents" continues to be a work in progress.

Available Credit

  • 3.00 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • 3.00 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3.00 continuing education credits.
  • 3.00 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 3.00 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.

Price

ISSTD Member cost:
$59.00
Your Price:
$79.00
Please login or register to take this course.

"Your Price" above reflects your final price based on your membership status and career level. 

  • ISSTD defines a student as those enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation. 
  • ISSTD defines an emerging professional as mental health professionals who have completed an advanced degree and are in the first three years of their career (or first three years after graduation for researchers).
  • If you do not fall into one of the above categories please register as Professional/Retired. 

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