Session Two – Content Level: Beginning and intermediate
Best practices in the psychotherapy for adults with complex trauma and the therapeutic relationship

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 will be discussed in relation to attunement, reenactment and attachment. Time will be given to discuss case material as it relates to the readings.

Objectives:
1.    Discuss the complexities of treatment of clients with complex trauma
2.    Discuss the principals of best practice with adult clients with complex trauma
3.    Describe and discuss the complications in the therapeutic relationship that are encountered when treating clients with complex trauma
4.    Apply the above to cases in treatment

Readings
A.    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
B.    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)

Timed outline:
30 minutes:    Discussion of Reading A – complexities of trauma treatment for adults
30 minutes:     Discussion of Reading A – principals of best practices for treatment of adults with complex trauma
30 minutes:    Discussion of Reading B – therapeutic relationship complications with complex trauma clients
60 minutes:     Discussion of case materials applying the above readings to disguised cases