Transference Dynamics in the Treatment of Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders

Abstract
It has been well established that the treatment of complex trauma and dissociative conditions is a complex endeavor requiring specialized professional skills (Brand, Classen, McNary, & Zaveri, 2009). The establishment of boundaries has long been recognized as a critical function in the initial phases of treating complex trauma and dissociation (Van der Kolk, 2001), to help provide containment and consistency, and is typically a more straightforward process of establishing limits related to frequency of contact, availability, treatment expectations and functional aspects of treatment. But sometimes from the start or as treatment progresses and certainly as it moves toward longer-term, trauma reenactments and repetitions arise along with a wide range of traumatic transference and countertransference issues which substantially complicate treatment (Cavanagh, Wiese-Batista, Lachal, Baulet,& Moro, 2015;Gedo, 2013), in addition to ethical and clinical actions that are needed. This panel presentation will discuss a range of transference, countertransference and boundary issues that relate to treatment techniques (Brenner, 2018; Draijer & VanZon, 2013; Piedmont-Martin,2018) and special transference situations (West,2013), with emphasis upon erotic transference. Boundaries will be conceptualized as “breathing boundaries” (Sinason, 2017) and not purely a set of rule-bound limits. Transference treatment will be presented as a cohesive element of exposing the repetition of the affective tone of past traumatic experiences. Treatment “errors” will be shown as opportunities to engage in the repair and restoration process, an essential, vital aspect of transference/countertransference dynamics. Audience questions and participation will be encouraged.

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:

  • Describe the importance of establishing initial boundaries in the treatment of complex trauma and dissociation
  • Discuss the relevant aspects of transference and countertransference in the treatment of complex trauma
  • Explain the importance of traumatic transference and how it shapes the treatment of complex trauma conditions
  • Utilize the concept of "breathable boundaries" and how it impacts the treatment of complex trauma
  • Discuss the role of erotic transference and how it influences the treatment of complex trauma
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: 
12/31/2020
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$55.00
Part of: 
Rating: 
0

Presenter: Peter A. Maves, PhD
Presenter Bio: Dr. Maves is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, practicing in Longmont, Colorado since 1982, specializing in the treatment of complex trauma and dissociative disorders. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder and the former Assistant Director of the Emergency Psychiatric Service of Boulder. He was the Clinical Director of Adams Community Mental Health Center and developed and was the Clinical Director of Centennial Peak’s Hospital’s Trauma and Dissociative Disorders Treatment Program. He was the Clinical Director of Columbine Hospital’s National Trauma Center. Dr. Maves has served as a Practice Monitor for the Grievance Board, State of Colorado and was an oral licensing examiner for the Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners, Department of Regulatory Agencies. Dr. Maves is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences on the treatment of complex trauma, dissociative disorders, traumatic brain injuries and military trauma. He is a Clinical Instructor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, supervising Ph.D. graduate students in Clinical Psychology. He is a Fellow and Board member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, a Diplomate in Clinical Forensic Counseling and a member of the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation.

Presenter: Valerie E. Sinason, PhD
Presenter Bio: Dr Valerie Sinason is a poet, writer, child and adolescent Psychoanalytic psychotherapist and adult psychoanalyst. She has specialized in trauma and disability for forty years. She is a widely published writer and lectures nationally and internationally. Founder and Patron for the Clinic for Dissociative Studies UK she is on the Board of the ISSTD . Her latest book is Sinason, V (2020) The truth about trauma and dissociation : everything you didn’t want to know and were afraid to ask (Confer Karnac).

Presenter: Richard A. Hohfeler, PsyD
Presenter Bio: Dr. Rick Hohfeler is a clinical psychologist who has maintained a private practice in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area for the past 30 years. He has specialized in psychological trauma since 1986 as co-manager of an inpatient program treating survivors of abuse at Rogers Memorial Hospital where he also co-managed an inpatient program treating children and adolescents until 1995. He continues to treat adults, children, and adolescents suffering from disorders associated with severe developmental trauma including a special emphasis on dissociative disorders in private practice, as well as with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. He has provided supervision and consultation to therapists and case managers from a variety of agencies in the Milwaukee area for the past 20 years with consultation affiliations having expanded internationally.

Rick is a faculty member of the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he teaches courses in trauma and dissociation. He is a member of ISSTD and was elected to their Board of Directors in 2016. Since 2014 he has acted as moderator for the Virtual Book Club sponsored by ISSTD. He has presented professionally on topics related to trauma and dissociation locally, nationally, and internationally.

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:
$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 cfas@isst-d.org to receive the appropriate discount code.