“What’s Going On? Understanding and Working with Transference and Countertransference When Dissociation is in the Room

September 27, 2025

Abstract
Therapy with people who have been severely traumatized is challenging for both the client and the therapist.  The impact of the trauma is felt in the room, and it impacts both people.  Some therapists come from relatively trauma-free backgrounds, but many come with their own trauma histories, and some of those are as severe or worse than the clients’.  How do therapists stay present and help clients heal when there’s so much going on in the room?  One way to track and address the issues in the room is to be aware of both the transference and countertransference constantly at play between therapist and client.  This presentation will focus on identification and use of transference and countertransference in working with clients who are dissociative. 

Potential to Distress: No

Target Audience

Intermediate

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to:

  • Explain the difference between transference and countertransference
  • Use their countertransference to identify emotions the client is sharing through behavior
  • Identify potential reenactments, and bring those issues into conscious therapeutic dialogue
  • Identify the impact of intersectionality in their clients, and in their relationship to the client, and consciously bring that into the therapy
  • Plan for their own self-care while working with clients who may activate their own trauma histories
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: 
07/01/2025
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
Event starts: 
09/27/2025 - 2:30pm EDT
Event ends: 
09/27/2025 - 4:00pm EDT
Part of: 
Minding the Gaps: Listening for the Unspoken and Seeing the Unseen - Day One
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Lynette S. Danylchuk, PhD
Lynette Danylchuk, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist, a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, and The California Graduate School of Family Therapy (now Argosy).  She  has been working in the trauma field since mid-80, starting with Vietnam Vets and people with complex trauma and dissociative disorders. She served 12 years on the original Board of Directors of Survivorship, and then worked for the Board of the Star Foundation for several more years. She had her private practice in San Mateo, California, where, in addition to working with clients, she did (and continues to do) periodic consultation and teaching where she sees a need, including a local graduate school, juvenile hall, or the county trauma-informed services conference. Lynette has been adjunct faculty to graduate schools in the San Francisco area where she has taught, and been a dissertation chairperson. She has given keynote speeches and workshops across the state and at annual conferences of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD).

She has been a member of ISSTD since 1996.  She served as Volunteer Chair, Director of the Professional Training Program for seven years, and as a Member of the Board.  She is a Past President of ISSTD, having served as President in 2015. She has received numerous awards over the years, including ISSTD’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.  She is currently still on a number of ISSTD committees, and is Co-Chair with Joan Turkus of the Center for Advanced Studies.  In addition, she often presents at ISSTD events, and is doing consultation work with therapists around the world. 

She and Kevin Connors completed the second edition of their book ‘Treating Complex Trauma and Dissociation: A Practical Guide for Navigating Therapeutic Challenges’, published by Routledge.  Their book received ISSTD’s Frank Putnam Award for best clinical book of the year (2024).
 

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.
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Early registration ends August 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM US Eastern Time. Prices will increase for emerging professional and professional/retired rates at that time by $50. 

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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. 
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. 

Available Discounts

  • 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. 
  • Group rates are available for groups of five or more from the same hospital, facility, or university. Please email ISSTD HQ for assistance with group rates. For groups of 5-9 the discount is 10% off registration fees, for groups of 10 or more the discount is 15% off registration fees. 

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received in writing via email or fax. A processing fee of $45 will be charged for cancellations received on or before Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM US Eastern Time. No refunds will be issued for no-shows. Refund requests will not be accepted after August 31, 2025. Not all requests will be granted. Substitutions for attendees are accepted until September 23, 2025.

Grievance Policy
ISSTD is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformation with the APA and ASWB grievance procedures.

During this conference, conference organizers, presenters and staff will address any concerns that arise. Every effort will be made to address the concerns during the conference when possible. If these individuals are unable to address the participant’s concerns, the complaints and grievances shall be presented in writing to ISSTD Headquarters at [email protected]. These will be forwarded on for review by the Virtual and Regional Conference Committee.

Social Workers: Should social workers have a specific grievance, these grievances will be addressed by D. Michael Coy, LICSW. In situations where the social worker would have a conflict of interest, then, Christine Forner, MSW will review the grievance.

ISSTD strives to resolve grievances in a manner that is in the best interest of the participant. All complaints and grievances are reviewed within 5 working days. Formal grievances are required to be written and emailed as directed above and will be responded to within 15 business days.

Disability Policy (ADA)
We would be happy to accommodate your ADA needs. Please contact ISSTD Headquarters via email at [email protected] or via phone at 844.994.7783 for assistance.

Registration Contact Information
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Phone: 844.994.7783
Fax: 888.966.0310