The Dissociative Experiences Scale: Uses, Benefits, and Challenges
Abstract
The Dissociative Experiences Scale was developed as a simple screening instrument to discern the presence of features of dissociation including depersonalization, derealization, and amnesia, as well as imaginative involvement/absorption. The second edition of this instrument (DES-II; Carlson & Putnam, 1993) has been widely studied and found generally to be a valid and reliable measure of pathological dissociation. It has over the past thirty years enjoyed widespread use, though over time there has been plenty of debate about its application, particularly due to its lack of clear and definitive clinical cut-offs. During the first half of this 90-minute webinar, we will explore the history of the DES and the relevant literature, including disagreements that have arisen about the clinical meaning of results, as well as look at the versions of the DES developed to accommodate the needs of different populations. In the second half of the presentation, we will discuss clinical application of the DES, highlight the challenges that clinicians may encounter in its use, and offer a brief case example to offer greater context for understanding and utilizing the DES-II most effectively.
Potential to Distress: No
- History and basic literature review (incl. disagreements about clinical cut-offs in the lit)
- Versions of DES-II
- Clinical application
- Clinical challenges
- Case examples
This presentation was originally presented as a live webinar in August 2023.
Target Audience
Beginning/Introductory
Learning Objectives
Upon Completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Define the purpose of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II)
- Describe at least two limitations/challenges inherent to using the DES-II as a screening instrument
- Name the five scales, including sub-scales, used to score the DES-II
- Explain the steps for administering and scoring the DES-II scales and sub-scales
Presenter: Jennifer Madere, MA, LPC-S, EMDRIA AC/AT
Presenter Bio: Jennifer Madere is a LPC-Supervisor, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and Approved Training Provider in private practice. She is a founding partner of Intuitus Group in Cedar Park, Texas. She has accompanied child and adult survivors of trauma on their journey of healing and recovery in psychotherapy since 2003. Jennifer supervises graduate and post-graduate clinicians, and consults and conducts training related to treatment of complex trauma, pathological dissociation, and EMDR therapy. Jennifer also trains fellow clinicians in the ethical integration of faith and spirituality in clinical practice. In addition to numerous professional presentations in local, national, and international conferences, Jennifer is the published author of several scholarly works on the topics of consultation and screening and assessment for dissociative disorders. Her other professional work includes collaborating with D. Michael Coy, LICSW, and Paul Dell, PhD to update the interpretive manual and associated documents for the Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation, and make the MID documents and training accessible to clinicians and researchers world-wide. Visit the MID website to learn more. Professional organizations: International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation - Jennifer currently serves as co-chair of the EMDR Therapy Training Committee of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, and is one of the lead developers and trainers for this program. As of 2021, Jennifer is recognized as a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. EMDR International Association – Jennifer is an active member, an EMDRIA approved provider of EMDR therapy training, and currently serves on the EMDRIA Council of Scholars in the Training and Accreditation/Certification Group. Catholic Psychotherapy Association – Jennifer has served on the CPA Board of Directors from 2018-2021 in the capacities of conference chair, membership chair, and board president (2020).
Presenter: D. Michael Coy, MA, LICSW
Presenter Bio: D. Michael Coy, MA, LICSW, (he/they) is a clinical social worker and maintains a private practice in Bremerton, Washington, USA. Psychodynamically grounded, Michael integrates EMDR therapy with additional training in clinical hypnosis, Ego State Therapy, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Michael is an EMDR Certified Approved Consultant through the EMDR International Association and served on EMDRIA's Standards & Training committee from 2014 to 2017. From 2017-2020, Michael co-chaired the ISSTD EMDR Therapy Training Task Group, which created ISSTD's EMDR therapy 'basic' training. He now co-chairs the EMDR Therapy Training Committee and co-teaches the training. Since 2016, Michael has collaborated with Jennifer Madere and Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation developer Paul F. Dell to make the MID more accessible. He co-authored the MID Interpretive Manual, 3rd Edition, and manages the MID Analysis and MID website. Since 2017, Jennifer and Michael have taught hundreds of clinicians how to employ the MID, both in the US and internationally. More recently, Michael has presented original material, in the form of the EMDR Introject Decathexis (Id) Protocol, to unbind perpetrator parts from their traumatic wounding and harmful behaviors, as well as a framework for recognizing, contextualizing, and resolving clients' dissociated memory material communicated non-verbally through dissociative attunement. He also provides consultation on the use of the MID and clinical practice with complex clients more generally, as well as O'Shea and Paulsen's Early Trauma Approach, in individual and group formats. Michael has been a member of the ISSTD Board of Directors since 2019, and became Treasurer in 2018, a role in which he continues to serve.
Participants who attend the webinar live and wish to claim CE credits must do so within 30 days of the live by completing the webinar evaluation. After this time, participants will be required to watch the webinar recording and take a quiz in addition to the evaluation in order to claim CE credits.
Available Credit
- 1.50 APAThe 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.
- 1.50 ASWB ACEThe 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 1.50 continuing education credits.
- 1.50 ISSTD Certificate ProgramThis program is eligible for 1.50 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.
Cancellation Policy
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