Facebook
X
LinkedIn
ForwardLiving Legends: The Therapeutic Relationship: Connection, Care and Cautions
Abstract
Although there is general agreement in the field that phase-oriented psychotherapy is the state-of-the-art treatment for Complex Posttraumatic and Dissociative Disorders, the focus has been more on “safety and stabilization” than on the therapeutic relationship. Yet this therapeutic relationship is a significant factor in the process of healing, and at the same time, a significant challenge to trauma therapists. The relationship between trauma therapists and clients is dynamic, always evolving, and has its trials. This seminar will focus on the facets of this connection, care, and cautions within a therapeutic context.
The most powerful thing the therapist contributes to the process of therapy is their presence - their attention and attunement to the client. The challenge is to connect in a caring way that fosters the client’s own ability to care for themself. The goal is an internal locus of control - the client increasingly living their life authentically, tapping into their own wants, needs, talents and dreams for themselves and in their relationships. Genuine care does not create dependency, and the experience of that kind of care and support needs to be genuine and consistent. The more complicated the person’s dissociative system, the more challenging that goal becomes. The therapist brings their talent, education, training and presence, and the client brings all that they have, including intergenerational resilience. When the therapist knows how to be genuinely trustworthy, the client can learn to trust.
Trust itself is a complex issue…it involves not only the facets of trust, but elements of what the therapist must learn and become to be trustworthy. Trust is always earned in the process of the work, never a given; it would be worrisome if it were. Trusting always includes care and competence, both of which together lead to hope in the process of the therapy. To be ethical and moral therapists in this field, we need to continually monitor the process of the work. It is critical to take the time for ongoing formulation and self-reflection. We can otherwise be “lost in the trees and miss the forest”.
It is also important to be aware of the cautions in doing this work. In the field, we have learned the most important cautions of which to be aware. These include constantly being aware of and insisting on safety as a fundamental premise of the work, pacing the work to what can be tolerated and not exceed the client’s “affect edge”, being aware of therapeutic boundaries and setting limits, and avoiding therapist exhaustion. As therapists, we need to stay in our roles as therapists, not friends or private investigators.
As a final note to the seminar, we will discuss post-traumatic growth for the therapist. There is so much that we learn and experience. We grow in knowledge and competence as well as in personhood. There are many rewards for doing this difficult and demanding work.
Potential to Distress: No
Target Audience
Those seeking to participate in this webinar must be licensed mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, accredited psychotherapists, etc.). ISSTD staff will audit license information prior to the start of the course and may request additional documentation for your license.
We do accept students 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. Students must submit proof of student status such as a transcript or registration record. For those who have completed their degree and are currently in the pre-licensure stage practicing under the license of another clinician, you must provide the name and license information for the person you are working with. Documentation should be sent to ISSTD staff at [email protected] before registering.
This webinar content is at the intermediate level.
Learning Objectives
Upon Completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Describe the elements included in the therapeutic relationship of a trauma therapist with their clients
- Explain the complexity of trust and trustworthiness in the therapeutic relationship
- List the cautions of which to be aware in trauma therapy
Presenter: Lynette Danylchuk, PhD
Lynette Danylchuk, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist, a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, and The California Graduate School of Family Therapy (now Argosy) in 1991. She has been working in the trauma field since the mid-80s, starting with Vietnam Vets and people with complex trauma and dissociative disorders. She served 12 years on the original Board of Directors of Survivorship, and then worked for the Board of the Star Foundation for several more years. She had her private practice in San Mateo, California, where, in addition to working with clients, she did (and continues to do) periodic consultation and teaching where she sees a need, including a local graduate school, juvenile hall, or the county trauma-informed services conference. Lynette has been adjunct faculty to graduate schools in the San Francisco area where she has taught, and been a dissertation chairperson. She has given keynote speeches and workshops across the state and at annual conferences of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD).
She has been a member of ISSTD since 1996. She served as Volunteer Chair, Director of the Professional Training Program for seven years, and as a Member of the Board. She is a Past President of ISSTD, having served as President in 2015. She has received numerous awards over the years, including ISSTD’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. She is currently still on a number of ISSTD committees. In addition, she often presents at ISSTD events, and is doing consultation work with therapists around the world.
She and Kevin Connors completed the second edition of their book ‘Treating Complex Trauma and Dissociation: A Practical Guide for Navigating Therapeutic Challenges’, published by Routledge. Their book received ISSTD’s Frank Putnam Award for best clinical book of the year (2024).
Presenter: Joan A. Turkus, MD
Joan A. Turkus, MD is the Medical Director, TraumaSci: Complex Trauma Disorders Program, with both inpatient and partial hospital components, at Dominion/HCA Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia. Dr. Turkus has years of experience in the trauma field and maintains a national profile with teaching and consultation. She is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, of which she is a Past President. She has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award, the Cornelia Wilbur Award for clinical contributions, and a Distinguished Achievement Award by the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. She is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Psychiatry and the American Board of Forensic Psychiatry. She is trained in psychiatry, traumatology, clinical hypnosis, and EMDR and maintains a keen interest in neurobiology and psychopharmacology, particularly in their application to the complexity of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. In recent years, she has dedicated time and energy to the Public Health issues of our times, so many of which involve trauma, and to writing essays and poetry. Dr. Turkus is a graduate of The George Washington University School of Medicine.
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.
Registration Policies
Cancellations prior to the webinar are subject to a $10 cancellation fee. No refunds are provided for no shows. The deadline for cancellations with a refund is January 26, 2026 at 5:00pm US Eastern Time. Requests for cancellation should be sent to [email protected].
For additional webinar policies including completion requirements, filing grievances, requesting a disability accommodation, and awarding of certificates of credits, please visit our Webinar Policies page.