Military Complex Trauma and Dissociative Phenomena: Assessment and Treatment

Abstract
This presentation provides participants with a review of diagnostic review of criteria in the treatment of military complex trauma and dissociative phenomena. An overview of assessment instruments is provided along with video presentations demonstrating aspects of dissociative exhibitions among veterans with complex PTSD. In addition to comparing the DSM-5 and ICD-11 perspectives of complex PTSD, issues of childhood abuse/neglect are discussed in relation to childhood versus adult onset of clinical presentations among veteran populations. A discussion of military trauma, including combat, military sexual trauma, and betrayal wounds are presented. Challenges faced by psychotherapists while providing effective treatment of complex trauma are discussed. The influence of moral injury based in veterans’ shame and guilt is recognized in contributing to suicidality. Dr. Hurley’s work is presented with veterans who describe their movement from complicated grief, depression, with moral injury, to dissociative responses leading to suicidal attempts. The presenter discusses the relationship of veterans' dissociative responses to their previous suicide attempts while describing the use of treatment interventions with EMDR therapy in the treatment of veterans’ complex PTSD.

The building of strong attachment and bonding relationships within the military are described while discussing betrayal wounds, military sexual trauma (MST) and the impact of combat experiences – all part of the military environment. This presentation addresses how veterans’ exposure to continuous, repetitive life and death military experiences can impact their functional abilities over time. Recognizing the multigenerational transmission of trauma among veteran families, when untreated, is contrasted with the impact of effective treatment among veterans. Precautions are highlighted as part of effective treatment requirements.


Timed Outline
90 Minutes - Uniqueness of the Military Population, Clinical Issues in Treating Military Personnel, The Dissociative Spectrum across Military Populations, Case Examples including Combat Trauma and military sexual trauma (MST), DOD/VA Clinical Practice Treatment Approaches, EMDR Therapy Applications
90 Minutes - From Acute Stress to Complex Trauma, Applying EMDR Therapy Protocol, Conceptual Approaches Integrating EMDR Therapy: Ego States and Structural Dissociation Models, Intervention Strategies: Case Presentations with Videos, Summary and Conclusion

This session was originally presented as a live conference session in April 2021.

Target Audience

Intermediate

Learning Objectives

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

  • Identify the uniqueness of military life as it relates to both trauma and attachment and bonding issues
  • Explain the concept of complex trauma as viewed from the DSM-5 and ICD-11 perspectives
  • Identify the features of complex trauma as experienced by veterans
  • Discuss the relationship of dissociative experiences on veterans’ suicidality
  • Describe the application of EMDR therapy in the treatment of complex trauma with dissociative features
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 to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2021 – 08/20/2024. 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.
Course opens: 
12/31/2020
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
ISSTD Member cost:
$59.00
Your Price:
$79.00
Part of: 
Rating: 
0

Presenter: E. C. Hurley, PhD, DMin, COL, USA (Ret), BCETS, LMFT
Presenter Bio: E. C. Hurley, DMin, PhD, is the Founder and CEO of Soldier Center, a community-based treatment center and training center specializing in the treatment of military, veterans, and first-responder populations. A retired Army Colonel with 33 years military service, his military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star, and Legion of Merit. Integrating his military experience with a committment to provide effective clinical treatment to military, veterans, and first-responders, he specializes in treating persons with complex PTSD and moral injury across the dissociative spectrum. The presenter developed a 10-day intensive treatment program for veterans with PTSD. Active military and veterans are referred to the 10-day intensive program from throughout the nation. Academically, he holds doctorates in Clinical Psychology (PhD) and pastoral counseling (DMin). The presenter is the recipient of the Elizabeth Stryker EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program's (EMDR HAP) Volunteer of the Year award (2010) and EMDRIA’s Francine Shapiro award (2019). He is author of several publications including his research in comparing EMDR weekly and intensive treatments (Hurley, 2018); coauthored a chapter treating PTSD with EMDR therapy in American Psychological Association's "Casebook to the APA Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of PTSD;" a chapter on “Treating military sexual trauma with EMDR therapy (Katz, 2015) and a recently released book "A Clinicians Guide for Treating Active Military and Veteran Populations with EMDR Therapy" published by Springer Publishing, 2020.

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 to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2021 – 08/20/2024. 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.

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. 

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 cfas@isst-d.org to receive the appropriate discount code.