ENACTING DISTRESS: CLARIFYING AND WORKING WITH TRAUMA EXPRESSIONS - Addressing the clinical interface between complex trauma and dissociation.

It is well known that trauma is re-enacted but the re-enactment of trauma poses many clinical challenges. This is partly because unresolved trauma is often dissociated and non-verbal, expressed in domains other than spoken language.

 While the basic trauma response of `fight/flight/freeze’ is now familiar, less attention has been paid to the third of these and to dissociative responses in which what cannot be expressed in words is interpersonalised and enacted including in the therapy room.

 Many clinicians recognize that trauma is enacted in the lives of their clients but are less attuned to how it plays out within the therapy relationship itself. This is especially when the trauma is complex.

This seminar addresses the interface between complex trauma and dissociation, which is interpersonalised in the form of enactments which occur within - as well as outside - the therapy room, and which can derail the therapy unless identified and addressed. While this task falls to the therapist, the role of unconscious dynamics and intersubjectivity pose ongoing challenges to effective trauma therapy.

The seminar explains why enactments (`the interpersonalisation of dissociation’) are frequent 

and inevitable in therapy for complex trauma, how to identify them, and how to address the clinical challenges which arise when they occur.

Via initial focus on the nature and process of dissociation, we will explore how this process becomes enacted and interpersonalised in the therapy room, and how the attempt of the client to self-protect can tangle with our own unconscious processes. This will assist in navigation of crises and `stuckness’ which are common in clinical work of various types. It will also enhance confidence in addressing the many therapeutic challenges involved.

Feedback from Pam's recent presentations for PDP:

“Great seminar! Pam is exceptional! She has great knowledge, she cares that we learn and can apply what she imparts and the day was so beneficial for me.”

“Pam, thank you for your presentation which was thoughtful and well-prepared and along with your clinical expertise was an incredible day of learning for me. I feel so much more prepared and skilled for my work now.

“Presenter was excellent, demonstrated high level of interest and experience in the area. Excellent presentation skills”.

“Content was comprehensive and very well evidence-based. Thank you for your wisdom, examples of practice and discussions.”

“As a student this course was extremely helpful in giving me a solid foundation on a difficult topic.”

“Content of the seminar was really helpful to me. The presenter clearly has lots of experience and knowledge and conveyed it clearly.”

“This was the best training I have ever been on and would recommend any I meet to do this training. It’s a wonderful training. Thank you.”

“The trainer’s knowledge was amazing.”   “Well presented course that raised many points relevant to my current clinical practice.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the course and will definitely attend more PDP courses and in particular with Pam.”

“A most informative and valuable resource for my ability to improve my understanding of the role of non-verbal experience and the body. Many rich resources supplied. Thank you Pam.”

“I was really impressed by the facilitation of the topic by Pam and the professionalism of your representative. The venue choice is compatible, and the refreshments provided were excellent and more than enough.”