A702 Working with Complex Trauma

Explore the symptoms of complex trauma, which results from ongoing developmental injury, and discover the importance of a staged, multicomponent approach in addressing the various dimensions of this disorder. Learn key interventions that include the establishment of safety, psychoeducation, trauma processing, self-soothing and self-care, and cognitive-behavioral skills-building.

Meet the Instructor

Mary Jo Barrett, M.S.W., is director of the Center for Contextual Change and teaches at the University of Chicago. She’s the author of Systemic Treatment of Incest and Treating Incest: A Multiple Systems Perspective.

Course Contents

Session 1: Defining Complex Trauma • Understanding the differences between stress, trauma, PTSD, and complex trauma • Exploring the long-term effects of trauma and the consequent implications for treatment

Session 2: Exploring the Essential Ingredients of Successful Trauma Treatment • Examining the 5 functions of successful trauma treatment • Understanding the role of attachment in creating the therapeutic alliance • Examining the therapist’s reactive styles

Session 3: The Collaborative Stage Model • Overview of the model • Detailed description with examples of the components of Stage 1: creating a context for change

Session 4: Detailed description of the components of Stage 2: challenging patterns and expanding realities

Session 5: Detailed description of Stage 3: consolidation and compassion fatigue

Session 6: Case Consultation

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the difference between PTSD and complex trauma.
2. Discuss and demonstrate the Collaborative Stage Model.
3. Create an effective, successful treatment plan for the client with complex trauma.