Working with Dissociation in Children in Theraplay Sessions to Overcome Impasses

CEs Available: 6       |     Two Day Training      |     Virtual      |     $243 - $270

Dissociation is the primary defense mechanism the psyche uses to cope with trauma, whether this trauma is caused through abuse, neglect, or a disorganized attachment. There is no trauma without the presence of dissociation. However, despite this fact, very little training is offered to help therapists understand dissociation, and even less is offered to help therapists manage adult clients who dissociate in sessions. The situation is even more dire when it comes to information and training on children and dissociation. This workshop aims to address this.

I have successfully adapted Janina Fisher’s Trauma- Informed Stabilization Treatment model to working with children. This model works particularly well within Theraplay sessions as Theraplay is a relational therapy where children often trigger into dissociative parts. This can lead to sessions going wrong becoming stuck, which can be frustrating and disheartening for therapists. However, once the therapist understands that the child is dissociating and how to work with this, this enables them to effectively process the trauma with the child using Theraplay activities. Children and parents feel more empowered and in control as a result.

Schedule

This is a two day training taking place December 5 - 6, 2024 from 9:00 am - 12:15 pm Central Time each day. This program will be recorded and available for viewing for 90 days. View agenda.

Trainer

Karen Andor trained as an Educational Psychologist in South Africa where she worked in private and public settings as well as in townships and informal settlements before moving to England. Her original training was in psychodynamic psychotherapy, systemic family therapy as well as some CBT and narrative psychotherapy. Since moving to England, she has certified in and practices as a Theraplay Therapist. Karen has completed the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Level 1 training and is certified as a practioner of Ralf Vogt’s SPIM30 model. She has completed Sensorimotor Psychotherapy training up to level 2. She is certified in Janina Fisher’sTrauma Informed Stabilisation Treatment (TIST) model. Karen has created a therapeutic approach for working with children who dissociate based on Janina Fisher’s TIST model and this supported by Janina Fisher.

Summary Points

• Understanding dissociation
• Understanding parts and the core self and communicating this understanding to parents and children
• Identifying dissociation in therapy sessions
• Strategies for managing dissociation using Theraplay activities
• Identifying which parts have been triggered
• Managing children’s resistance to working with parts
• Managing parents and parts
  

Learning Objectives

1. A deeper understanding of dissociation in children and how to identify when children are dissociating
2. Strategies to develop the child’s core self and separate this from dissociative parts
3. Ability to identify specifically which parts the child is dissociating into and to support each of these parts
4. Using Theraplay to support the core self to manage dissociating parts
5. Managing therapy sessions when there is resistance from children
6. Managing therapy sessions when there is resistance from parents

Who Should Attend

This program contains introductory level content appropriate for psychologists, psychoanalysts, psychiatrists, social workers, MFTs, counselors, substance abuse counselors, occupational therapists, nurses, and dentists.

Bibliography

View this training’s bibliography for books and other materials referenced in the development of the content for this program.

For information about our CE process, cancellation policy, and how to contact us with questions and concerns visit our FAQ page. Attendance of the entirety of a program (in-person or virtual) is required in order to receive continuing education or a letter of completion.

There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.

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