Being thoroughly informed about dissociation is mandatory for all clinicians working with traumatized individuals. Structural dissociation of the personality - originally described by Pierre Janet and further elaborated in recent times by van der Hart, Nijenhuis, and Steele (2006) - is fundamental to the understanding and treatment of any client or patient who has been seriously traumatized. Many clinicians associate traumatization and subsequent dissociation with posttraumatic stress and complex dissociative disorders. However, both research and clinical experience indicate that some clients or patients with other DSM-IV disorders also may experience significant structural dissociation. These include cases of borderline personality disorder, disordered eating and sleeping, anxiety, depression, addictions, somatization, some psychoses, as well as particular dysfunctional attachment patterns.

The theory of structural dissociation of the personality (TSDP) postulates that the personality of traumatized individuals is unduly divided in two basic types of dissociative parts. One type involves apparently normal parts of the personality (ANP), primarily mediated by daily life action or motivational systems. The other type involves emotional parts (EP), primarily mediated by the defensive action or attachment cry system, that contain the individual’s traumatic memories. The more complex and chronic the traumatization, the more complex also the structural dissociation, manifesting in the development of more EPs and ANPs respectively. Structural dissociation can manifest in a wide range of psychological, somatic, behavioral, and relational symptoms, and may vary in severity from minor to major. Even “minor” forms of dissociation, such as “isolation of affect,” can be understood as a psychobiological division of the patient’s personality into dissociative parts of the personality. These parts range from extremely limited and minor, to those that exhibit a strong sense of separateness and autonomy.

Although not required, it would be helpful to read, prior to the workshop: Onno van der Hart, Ellert Nijenhuis, & Kathy Steele. (2006). The Haunted Self: Structural Dissociation of the Personality and Treatment of Chronic Traumatization. New York: Norton.

The workshop will describe the nature of structural dissociation
and its various levels of complexity. Participants will be informed
about a practical and theoretically sound phase-oriented approach
to treating the "whole" client or patient while dealing effectively with
dissociative parts. Phase-oriented treatment consists of:

1. stabilization, symptom reduction, and skills training;
2. treatment of traumatic memories; and
3. personality (re)integration and rehabilitation.

The workshop will include a brief overview of
theory, didactics, role plays, and video presentations.

Eligibility :This training is available to all those who have completed a minimum of the Weekend 1 training  

• Thursday April 7, 2011
  

About the instructor:
Roger Solomon, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who specializes in treatment of trauma and grief. He is on the Senior Faculty of the EMDR Institute and provides EMDR training internationally. At the present time, he is a consultant to NASA, the US Senate, South Carolina Department of Public Safety, and Polizia di Stato (Italy). He has also worked with are the FBI, the Secret Service, US Department of State Diplomatic Security, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, several national security agencies. Dr. Solomon has authored 33 articles and book chapters on topics of trauma, grief, stress, and EMDR.