The Biology of Surviving: From Etiology to Treatment of Trauma-related Dissociations

Abstract
Effectively addressing individuals experiencing trauma-related dissociative symptoms presents a substantial challenge within the field of psychotherapy. This workshop is designed to equip participants with an in-depth understanding of the foundational causes essential for comprehending trauma-related dissociative symptoms (Danböck et al., 2023; Lanius et al., 2018).

The experience of traumatic threats initiates a complex sequence of innate and evolutionarily adaptive defense reactions, which include freeze, flight, fight, fright, flag, and faint responses—all intricately designed to ensure survival. However, following trauma exposure, persistent dissociative symptoms emerge as intricately orchestrated adaptations that span multiple cognitive domains. These include consciousness, sensory perception, emotional processing, voluntary motor skills, memory, and the very core of one's identity and self-cohesion. This intricate interplay underscores the potential disruption of emotional and cognitive processing, which is pivotal for the success of trauma-focused psychotherapy (Atchley & Bedford, 2021).

This workshop aims to provide participants with a deep comprehension of the biological foundations of trauma-related dissociation. It also delves into diagnostic assessment, employing tools such as the Shutdown Dissociation Scale (Schalinski, Schauer, & Elbert, 2015). By exploring these critical aspects and offering diagnostic insights, the workshop aims to extract fundamental psychotherapeutic strategies that can be directly applied in clinical settings. This, in turn, fosters the development of effective trauma-focused therapies (Chessell et al., 2019).

Participants can anticipate several valuable outcomes, including:
Comprehensive Mastery: The workshop will empower participants with a profound grasp of the intricate biological underpinnings that underscore trauma-related dissociation.
Diagnostic Proficiency: Participants will gain expertise in using diagnostic tools like the Shutdown Dissociation Scale to identify and assess dissociative symptoms accurately.
Clinical Application: The knowledge and insights acquired during the workshop will have direct applicability in clinical environments, enabling participants to enhance their clinical interventions.

In conclusion, this workshop provides a unique opportunity to delve into the complexities of trauma-related dissociation, offering a holistic understanding of its biological foundations and practical tools for assessment and intervention. Participants can expect to emerge from this workshop with enhanced skills and insights that can significantly contribute to their effectiveness as trauma-focused therapists.

Potential to Distress: No

This recorded conference session was originally presented as part of a live conference in April 2024.

Target Audience

Those seeking to participate in this webinar must be licensed mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, accredited psychotherapists, etc.). ISSTD staff will audit license information prior to the start of the course and may request additional documentation for your license.

We do accept students 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. Students must submit proof of student status such as a transcript or registration record. For those who have completed their degree and are currently in the pre-licensure stage practicing under the license of another clinician, you must provide the name and license information for the person you are working with. Documentation should be sent to ISSTD staff at [email protected] before registering. 

This webinar content is at the beginning/introductory level.

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

  • Discuss the etiological factors that contribute to trauma-related dissociative symptoms, drawing from the peritraumatic defense-cascade
  • Describe intricacies of innate and evolutionarily adaptive defense reactions such as freeze, flight, fight, fright, flag, and faint responses, and their relevance to trauma survival and peritraumatic risks
  • Use diagnostic assessment, including the Shutdown Dissociation Scale, to accurately identify and assess dissociative symptoms in clinical settings
  • Explain the risk for dissociative responding during trauma-focused therapy
  • Identify fundamental psychotherapeutic strategies that can be applied in clinical environments to effectively address trauma-related dissociative symptoms

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: 
01/31/2025
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$55.00
Part of: 
The Healing Power of Dignity in the Treatment and Research of Complex Trauma & Dissociation - Day Three
Rating: 
0

Inga Schalinski

Prof. Dr. Inga Schalinski is a distinguished researcher and licensed Psychological Psychotherapist based in Germany. Her professional journey and contributions to the field of psychology are outlined below. Education Inga Schalinski's academic journey commenced with her graduate studies in Psychology at the Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany, where she obtained her Diplom degree in September 2008. Later, she earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology from the University of Konstanz, Germany, successfully defending her dissertation in February 2013. Additionally, she achieved licensure as a Psychological Psychotherapist in Germany with advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from the dgvt-Ausbildungsakademie Bodensee in September 2015. Professional Positions Prof. Schalinski has held various academic and research positions throughout her career. She currently serves as a Full Professor at the Universität der Bundeswehr München, Germany, a position she assumed in October 2022. Prior to this, she temporarily replaced a professorship at the Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Germany, from September 2021 to July 2022. Before her current position, Prof. Schalinski held postdoctoral researcher roles at prestigious institutions, including the Charité Universitätsmedizin and the University of Konstanz in Berlin, Germany. She also contributed significantly to science as a researcher at the University of Konstanz from October 2008 to August 2011. Publications Prof. Schalinski has made significant contributions to the scientific literature with numerous publications spanning her areas of expertise. Her research has been published in reputable journals, covering topics such as cumulative traumatic experiences, childhood maltreatment, PTSD, trauma-related dissociation, severe mental illness and alternations of the neuroendocrine stress axis.

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.

Registration Policies

All purchases of recorded content are final.

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