The Assessment and Treatment of Dissociation in Traumatized Children and Adolescents


The Assessment and Treatment of Dissociation in Traumatized Children and Adolescents


This 2 day presentation delivered in four parts will introduce a developmental understanding of dissociation and describe how early symptoms of trauma and dissociation are manifest in young children and adolescents.

The first section will emphasize theory with  an introduction to the Affect Avoidance Theory of Dissociation.

The second topic to be covered will be how to assess childhood and adolescent dissociation using existing tools and careful interview.

In the third section a treatment model will be presented that moves logically through education about trauma symptoms through teaching affect regulation and mastering traumatic memories. Children's artwork and writings will be presented that help to illustrate the impaired sense of identity that traumatized children may experience. Case presentations and videos will enrich the didactic content.  The presenter will introduce ways of communicating even to young children that will help them understand the effects of trauma and how to use skills to overcome the disabling effects of their experiences.

In the final section of the course participants will have opportunities to learn about complex management issues and to  share case questions. Also included will be a discussion of the effect of online commercial exploitation of children, and how to work with families to rebuild attachment after trauma.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• 16 hours of lessons
• Video lessons in original language
• Slides