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