Session Five: The First Phase of Treatment of Complex Trauma

December 9, 2022

Session Five: The First Phase of Treatment of Complex Trauma
Content Level: Beginning and Intermediate

Abstract: The first phase of treatment is essential in establishing safety, self-regulation, self-control and development of trust in the therapeutic relationship. This phase sets the stage for future processing of traumatic material giving the client the tools to cope with distressing traumatic material. The therapist is taxed with creating a stable and consistent environment for which the client can feel safe to learn self-regulating strategies. Common pitfalls of early stage treatment are identified and explored in this session. Time will be given to discuss “The Case of Erica” and clinical interventions and therapeutic modalities in phase one of therapy

Readings:

  1. Herman, JL (2015) Trauma and Recovery: The aftermath of violence – from domestic abuse to political terror. NY, NY: Basic Books, Chapter 8, pp. 155 – 174.
  2. Courtois, CA, and Ford, JD  (2013) Treatment of Complex Trauma: A Sequenced, Relationship-Based Approach. NY, NY: The Guilford Press, Chapter 5, pp. 120 – 143.
  3. Courtois, CA (2020), Therapeutic Alliance and Risk Management (pp. 99 – 124) in CA Courtois and JD Ford, eds. Treating Complex Traumatic Stress Disorders in Adults, second edition. NY, NY: The Guilford Press. 

Additional Materials:
The Case of Erica: Part 3

Timed Outline:
45 minutes: Discussion of Readings 1 and 2 - competencies in phase one, including safety and stabilization
45 minutes: Discussion of Reading 3 - therapeutic relationship, and common pitfalls
60 minutes: Discussion of the Case of Erica, Part 3 and clinical interventions and therapeutic modalities in phase one
 

Learning Objectives

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

  • Explain the competencies to be achieved in the first phase of therapy
  • Discuss the therapeutic alliance and frame in the first phase of therapy
  • Describe the common pitfalls of early stage therapy with complex trauma
  • Discuss, using “The Case of Erica”, clinical interventions in the phase one of treatment of complex trauma, utilizing various treatment modalities
     
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 2.50 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.
  • 2.50 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 2.50 continuing education credits.
  • 2.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 2.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
Course opens: 
02/01/2022
Course expires: 
07/31/2023
Event starts: 
12/09/2022 - 11:00am EST
Event ends: 
12/09/2022 - 1:30pm EST
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Available Credit

  • 2.50 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.
  • 2.50 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 2.50 continuing education credits.
  • 2.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 2.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
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