Session Seven: Best Practices and the Therapeutic Relationship: Transference, Countertransference and Enactments
Session Seven: Best Practices and the Therapeutic Relationship: Transference, Countertransference and Enactments
Content Level: Beginning and Intermediate
Abstract: Due to the complexities of complex trauma, treatment needs to be carefully planned and trauma informed. This session discusses the best practices with complex trauma and dissociative clients including assessment, evidence-based practice and guidelines of 30 best practice principles will be outlined and explored. The complexities and possible pitfalls within the therapeutic relationship with complex trauma and dissociative clients, including issues related to transference, countertransference and enactments, will be discussed in relation to attunement, reenactment and attachment. Time will be given to discuss case material as it relates to the readings.
Readings
- Courtois, CA, Ford, JD, Cloitre, M, Schnyder, U (2020) Best Practices in Psychotherapy for Adults, (pp. 62-98) in CA Courtois and JD Ford, eds. Treating Complex Traumatic Stress Disorders in Adults, second edition. NY, NY: The Guilford Press
- Courtois, CA, and Ford, JD (2013) Treatment of Complex Trauma: A Sequenced, Relationship-Based Approach. NY, NY: The Guilford Press. pp. 269 – 297 (Chapter 9)
- Courtois, CA, and Ford, JD (2013) Treatment of Complex Trauma: A Sequenced, Relationship-Based Approach. NY, NY: The Guilford Press. pp. 298 – 327 (Chapter 10)
Timed outline:
20 minutes: Discussion of Reading 1 - complexities of trauma treatment for adults
20 minutes: Discussion of Reading 1 - principals of best practices for treatment of adults with complex trauma
30 minutes: Discussion of Reading 2 - therapeutic relationship complications with complex trauma clients
30 minutes: Discussion of Reading 3 - the impact of transference, countertransference and enactments on therapy with complex trauma clients
50 minutes: Discussion of case materials applying the above readings to disguised cases
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the complexities of treatment of clients with complex trauma
- Discuss the principals of best practice with adult clients with complex trauma
- Describe and discuss the complications in the therapeutic relationship that are encountered when treating clients with complex trauma, including transference, countertransference and enactments
Available Credit
- 2.50 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.
- 2.50 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 2.50 continuing education credits.
- 2.50 ISSTD Certificate ProgramThis program is eligible for 2.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.