Description

Handouts

Outline

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder vs. Complex PTSD: Understand the Difference

• Acute traumatic stress, PTSD, Complex PTSD
• Diagnostic clarification and differential diagnosis
• Key contributing factors of Complex PTSD
• The common symptoms of Complex PTSD

The Neurobiology of PTSD: Beyond Fight and Flight

• Polyvagal Theory
• 6 Stages of trauma response
• Heart Rate Variability and the Social Nervous System
• Interpersonal Neurobiology
• Psychobiological regulation
• Rupture and repair
• Implications of childhood neglect or abuse
• Neuroplasticity and Complex PTSD

Psychological and Physiological Repercussions of Complex PTSD: A Deeper Understanding for Accurate Assessment

• Intrusive symptoms and anxiety
• Emotional dysregulation: Outbursts of anger and debilitating shame
• Avoidance symptoms and phobic reactions to traumatic material
• Interpersonal problems and difficulty being close to others
• Dissociation and dysregulation
• Cognitive distortions and compromised meaning making
• Physical health problems, ACE factors and painful somatization
• Preverbal and nonverbal memories
• Disturbing somatic sensations
• Depressive symptoms
• Learned helplessness and shame

Therapeutic Interventions for Complex PTSD: Summary of Effective Therapies

• Psychodynamic and Relational Therapy
• Psychobiological perspectives: Polyvagal Theory
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• EMDR Therapy
• Somatic Psychology
• Parts Work Therapy: Work with Ego States
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM): mindfulness, yoga, and integrative healthcare

Integrative Treatment for Complex PTSD: Putting it All Together for an Effective Treatment Plan

• A biopsychosocial approach: Partner with clients to build a health care team
• Goal of treatment: Memory retrieval vs. trauma recovery
• History taking: Identify chronic, repeated, and/or developmental trauma events
• Cultural factors and Complex PTSD
• Recognize attachment Injuries
• How to work with transgenerational trauma
• Identify parts, ego states and defenses
• Assess for dissociation
• Mutual regulation and relational repair in therapy
• Prepare for trauma processing: Develop resources and stability
• Work through traumatic memories: EMDR and Somatic Psychology
• Grief work in Complex PTSD
• Integrate and Instill positive change

Experiential Interventions: Mind-Body Practices for Clients with Complex PTSD

• Conscious breathing for self-regulation
• Grounding and sensory awareness
• Containment: Reclaim choice and control
• Build imaginal allies
• Cultivate mindfulness, acceptance, and self-compassion
• Somatic interventions: Titration, sequencing, and somatic re-patterning
• Bilateral stimulation and dual attention in EMDR Therapy
• Potential risks and limitations of mind-body therapies

Fostering Resilience: For Post-Traumatic Growth and Healing

• Learn the 6 Pillars of Resilience
• Trauma recovery and the bell curve
• Resilience as a process and an outcome
• Help clients move from learned helplessness to learned optimism
• Post-Traumatic Growth: Help clients reach their potential

Vicarious Trauma: Improve Client Outcomes Through Effective Self-Care

• Identify resources that improve your clinical skills
• In-session self-care to improve focus on the client and therapeutic process
• Burnout prevention techniques

Faculty

Kathryn Seifert, Ph.D Related seminars and products: 2

CEO and Founder

CARE2, LLC

---

Kathryn Seifert, Ph.D, is a psychologist in Maryland and one of the leading experts in the fields of multi-victim violence, bullying, trauma and mental health related violence in the United States. Dr. Seifert specializes in the assessment and treatment of individuals who are at risk for violence and those who are emotionally disturbed, behaviorally disordered, victimized, delinquent, and/or are suffering from attachment disorders.

Dr. Seifert has appeared on CNN, Discovery ID, and Fox News and consults with numerous public agencies. She testifies in courts as an expert on the maltreatment of children and has a blog, Stop the Cycle, on Psychologytoday.com with over a half a million readers.

Dr. Seifert has written two books, How Children Become Violent (Acanthus, 2006) and Youth Violence: Theory, Prevention, and Intervention (Springer, 2015). In these two books, she wrote about the groundbreaking research such as the ACE’s research out of the CDC, connecting child maltreatment, delays in the developmental of coping skills, and youthful violent behaviors. Dr. Seifert also developed the CARE-2, Child and Adolescent Risk/Needs Evaluation.

Speaker Disclosure:

Financial: Kathryn Seifert is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Eastern Shore Psychological Services; and CARE-2, LLC. She receives royalties as an author of Acanthus Publishing and Springer Publishing. Dr. Seifert receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc.

Non-financial: Kathryn Seifert is a member of the American Psychological Association; and the Maryland Psychological Association. She writes a blog, Stop the Cycle, on Psychologytoday.com.