Treatment of Complex Dissociative Disorders: An International Community Perspective

Abstract
Few clinicians have received training in research-supported treatment approaches for clients with complex dissociative disorders (CDD), despite these clients urgently needing treatment for severe symptoms, including high rates of self-injury and suicidality. In this talk, Dr. Brand will discuss research findings related to the treatment of dissociative disorders, including several studies conducted with her research team, highlighting the promising findings from the international treatment studies called the Treatment of Patients with Dissociative Disorders (TOP DD) studies. These prospective studies show that phasic, trauma-based treatment is associated with decreased symptoms of PTSD and dissociation, self-harm, suicide attempts, hospitalizations, and treatment costs. These studies are crucial to know about because their findings address debates and myths about dissociative disorders. 

In her presentation, Dr. Brand will first review the myths related to the treatment of CDD clients and what science “says” about them. She will then share new, cutting-edge findings from a study about the most common triggers and functions of unsafe behavior among dissociative individuals and another study that reveals clients’ perspectives about barriers to accessing and continuing treatment. Thereafter, Dr. Brand will present findings from the TOP DD Network study, a web-based program for CDD patients and their therapists. Next, Dr. Brand will describe the program used in the TOP DD Network study, called Finding Solid Ground, that enhances CDD clients’ ability to regulate emotions, manage symptoms, and stabilize safety. This program also teaches clinicians a conceptualization of CDD clients’ unsafe behaviors and practical interventions that are useful in stabilizing clients.  Using clients’ journaling and artwork, and data from clients’ surveys, Dr. Brand will illustrate the experience of surviving trauma by having developed disowned self-states.  She will also share clients’ reactions to participating in the TOP DD Network program.  Lastly, Dr. Brand will discuss the exciting first randomized control trial for clients with CDD, complex PTSD, and the dissociative subtype of PTSD, which is based on the Finding Solid Ground Program, and has just launched.   

Potential to Distress No

This presentation was originally presented as a live webinar in February 2022.
 

Target Audience

Intermediate

Learning Objectives

Upon Completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • List three functions of unsafe behavior in complex dissociative disorder patients
  • List the most common triggers for unsafe behavior in individuals with complex dissociative disorders
  • Discuss the primary findings of the TOP DD Network study
  • Describe the approach to stabilization that is taught in the Finding Solid Ground program, which is the educational program that was used in the TOP DD Network study
  • Explain the importance of clients being taught management of PTSD in the Finding Solid Ground program.
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 to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2021 – 08/20/2024. 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.
Course opens: 
03/01/2023
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$35.00
Part of: 
Living Legends Package
Rating: 
0

Presenter: Bethany Brand, PhD
Presenter Bio: Bethany Brand, is a Psychology Professor and the Director of the Clinical Focus program at Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Dr. Brand specializes in the assessment and treatment of trauma related disorders.  She has over 30 years of clinical and research experience, including training at Johns Hopkins Hospital, George Washington University Hospital, and at Sheppard Pratt Health System’s Trauma Disorders program.  Dr. Brand has been honored with numerous research, teaching and clinical awards and served on several national task forces that developed guidelines for the assessment and treatment of trauma-related disorders. Dr. Brand has over 100 published papers focusing on treatment of dissociative individuals (i.e., the TOP DD studies); assessment methods for distinguishing dissociative disorders from other conditions including malingering; and the assessment of the adequacy of textbooks’ coverage of trauma, among other topics. She has delivered clinical and research presentations around the world. In addition to assessing and treating patients, Dr. Brand serves as a forensic expert in trauma-related cases including state, federal and capital (i.e., death penalty) cases. Her two books on the treatment of dissociative disorders (“Finding Solid Ground”) will be published in 2022 and her book on the assessment of dissociation will be published in 2023.

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 to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2021 – 08/20/2024. 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.

Price

ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$35.00
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  • 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. 
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