Dissociation: A Foundational Overview
Abstract
For many, when venturing into the world of trauma and dissociation, there is a great deal of mystery and misinformation. Within academic and clinical setting there is little to no education on the field’s theoretical foundations and history. This workshop is intended for students, emerging professionals and experienced practitioners who are interested in learning about the fundamentals of dissociation as a distinct response to trauma. The premise of this workshop is to cover essential information regarding dissociation and the dissociative disorders field. This course will cover:
- Theories of trauma and dissociation
- Impact of the false memory "war"
- Current dissociative models
- Breakdown of the dissociative disorders
- Neurobiology of trauma and dissociation
- Assessment and evaluation
- Current treatments
This workshop is designed to demystify dissociation and provide participants with a broad based understanding of it as a response to overwhelming stress.
Timed Outline
60 Minutes – What Causes Dissociation
60 Minutes – Theories of Dissociation
30 Minutes – Break
60 Minutes – Neurobiology of Dissociation
60 Minutes – Treatment of Dissociation, Q&A
This session was originally presented as part of a virtual conference in October 2021.
Target Audience
Beginning/Introductory
Learning Objectives
Upon Completion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the importance of a solid theoretical foundation regarding dissociative experiences
- Explain the historical background of the dissociative field in working with this population in the greater mental health fields
- Discuss whether a client is dealing with Faculty Dissociation (un-integrated psychological symptoms) or Multiplicity (more than one center of consciousness), or a combination of both and in turn evaluate their own skills and know whether it is ethical to work with the client or refer them elsewhere
- Obtain neurobiological information to assist with their clinical and educational experiences
- Distinguish between complex trauma, post-traumatic stress disorders and dissociative disorders
Christine Forner, BSW, MSW, SP has over thirty years’ experience working with individuals with Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Dissociation, Developmental Trauma and Dissociative Disorders. She has specialized training in EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Psychotherapeutic Meditation techniques and Neurofeedback. She holds a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Calgary. Since 2011, Christine has worked in private practice, specializing in complex trauma and dissociative disorders. Christine teaches locally and at an international level on dissociation, complex trauma, and the intersection of dissociation and mindfulness. She was the President of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation in 2019, served on the board of the ISSTD since 2010 and was the ISSTD treasurer from 2012-2017.
Christine is the author of Dissociation, Mindfulness and Creative Meditations: Trauma informed practices to facilitate growth (Routledge, 2017).
Christine has been the recipient of the ISSTD President's Award in 2011, 2013, 2016, and 2021. She is also an ISSTD Fellow, recipient of the 2021 ISSTD Mid-Achievement Career Award and a finalist for the 2019 Richard Kluft Best Article Award sponsored by Taylor & Francis.
Available Credit
- 4.00 ISSTD Certificate ProgramThis program is eligible for 4.00 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
Price
"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.
These prices are for Tier I countries. For a list of countries by Tier click here. If you are located in a country that falls into Tier II-VI please contact ISSTD at [email protected] to receive the appropriate discount code.
All purchases of recorded content are final.