Trauma-Related Dissociation: Intersection of Clinical Phenomenology and Neuroscience

Abstract
The goal of this workshop is to weave together a coherent narrative describing several different (yet interrelated) types of reactions to traumatic stress: 1. classic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); 2. the dissociative subtype of PTSD; and, 3. dissociative identity disorder. Each reaction type will be examined by using a single case study followed by a neurobiological analysis using data derived from recent neuroimaging studies to highlight key brain regions involved in the generation of trauma-related symptoms. In this way, we will intersect the language of clinical phenomenology with the language of neuroscience to create a shared narrative. We will end this workshop presentation by presenting NIMH-funded neuroimaging research our group is conducting to further elucidate the brain basis of traumatic dissociation.

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:

  • Define the symptoms that differentiate the classic and dissociative subtypes of PTSD
  • Identify whether the activation patterns of the amygdala are hyperactive, hypoactive or both in Classic PTSD, Dissociative Subtype, and DID
  • Identify the three stages of treatment for complex posttraumatic presentations
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.50 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.
  • 1.50 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 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
Course opens: 
12/31/2020
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$55.00
Part of: 
Rating: 
0

Presenter: Milissa Kaufman, MD, PhD
Presenter Bio: Milissa Kaufman, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. At McLean Hospital in Boston, MA, she is the Director of the Initiative for Trauma Research, Training and Care. She also is the Director of the Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Research Program, and the Medical Director for both the Hill Center for Women and the Adult Outpatient Trauma Clinic. Dr. Kaufman has over 20 years of experience in the assessment and treatment of trauma-spectrum and dissociative disorders. She has served as the principal investigator or co-investigator on varous studies designed to further our understanding of the neurobiology of PTSD and DID. Her research utilizes a multimodal approach involving sophisticated psychometric assessment paired with neuroimaging, psychophysiology, genetic, and neurocognitive techniques. She and her colleagues at McLean Hospital have received both philanthropic funding and federal funding from the National Institute of Mental Health to study biomarkers of dissociation in traumatized individuals. Dr. Kaufman serves as a member of the Scientific Committee for the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation and is the Co-Chair of the Education and Research Sub-Committee. She has been honored to receive numerous national and local awards for her work as a clinician, researcher and educator. She is the former Associate Training Director for the MGH/McLean Adult Psychiatry Residency Program and currently serves as the Director of the Trauma Psychiatry Didactics curriculum.

Presenter: Lauren Lebois, PhD
Presenter Bio: Dr. Lauren Lebois is a cognitive psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist who uses neuroimaging, psychophysiological, and behavioral techniques in humans to understand how the mind, brain, and body adapt in the aftermath of trauma. She is the Director of Neuroimaging for the Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Research Program, and an Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She also serves as Operations Co-Director of the Initiative for Integrated Trauma Research, Care and Training. Overall, her work aims to scientifically examine the predictors and correlates of posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae, and in doing so reduced stigma and improve psychiatric care. She has a particular interest in self-processing related to PTSD and Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Available Credit

  • 1.50 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.
  • 1.50 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 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.

Price

ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$55.00
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 [email protected] to receive the appropriate discount code.