ISSTD -- the premier organization for clinical teaching about complex trauma and dissociation

Clinical Consequences of Complex Psychological Trauma: Assessment, Treatment, and Recovery

Dear Friends,

We invite you to come to Atlanta for the 27th annual conference of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD)!  This year’s meeting focuses on the effects of complex trauma in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. During the course of the meeting, we will examine complex trauma through the lens of an important new concept---Developmental Trauma Disorder.

Developmental Trauma Disorder describes what usually happens when children undergo multiple adverse events—especially interpersonal violence and disruptions/distortions of protective caretaking.  Developmental Trauma Disorder was proposed by Bessel van der Kolk in 2005. Since then, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed a consensus-based set of diagnostic criteria. These criteria were derived from five US datasets on traumatized children and adolescents. Absent effective treatment, children with Developmental Trauma Disorder often become adults with a painfully familiar polysymptomatic presentation—depression, anxiety, intrusive symptoms of PTSD, sleep problems, dissociation, and poor coping skills (e.g., problems with reactive anger, avoidance, substance abuse, self-injuring behavior, etc.).
 
Please note: This meeting is for all clinicians—not just trauma specialists. Why? Because every clinician has several patients with a complex trauma history. Not surprisingly, these patients are often difficult to treat. There are at least two reasons for this: (1) complex trauma patients are inherently complicated; and (2) clinicians are faced with a clinical presentation that graduate school did not prepare them to treat. Accordingly, this conference is a golden opportunity for general clinicians to acquire a truly invaluable set of clinical understandings and skills. Take a break. Get out of the office!  It’s time to learn something new. Come to Atlanta for some continuing education that will be genuinely useful week after week.

We invite both clinical and research proposals. We particularly encourage proposals from new members and from international members. By the way, you do not need to be a member of ISSTD to submit a proposal. We especially invite proposals that address the conference theme, but we welcome all proposals that address any aspect of trauma or dissociation. Clinicians are encouraged to submit presentations on theory, assessment, treatment innovations, and instructive case studies. We are interested in the entire spectrum of trauma-related disorders and symptoms, but, in keeping with the focus of ISSTD, we value most highly those proposals that pertain to complex trauma and dissociation, including Developmental Trauma Disorder, Complex PTSD, the dissociative disorders, and comorbid disorders with a hidden trauma-related etiology. Proposals may address any kind of treatment setting (e.g., individual, group, inpatient, day treatment, primary health care, etc.). Proposals may focus on any population (e.g., children, adolescents, adults, various clinical populations, etc.). We also encourage submissions on ethical, cultural, and diversity issues that relate to trauma and dissociation. Researchers should submit studies on clinical, psychobiological, social, and public health concerns related to trauma and dissociation.

ISSTD’s present and future efforts are primarily directed to helping chronically traumatized individuals by (1) developing better diagnostic and assessment protocols for complex trauma and dissociation; (2) developing evidence-based treatments for the complicated comorbidity of individuals who have experienced complex trauma; (3) engaging in research on the biopsychosocial effects of complex traumatization, especially dissociation; and (4) educating professionals and the public about complex  traumatization and dissociation.

Great advances are being made in short-term treatment interventions for PTSD, but these appear to help only some chronically traumatized individuals. Short-term treatments for PTSD do not address adequately the complex and wide-ranging psychological and relational struggles of individuals with complex trauma, especially those with complex dissociative disorders.

Our work extends well beyond the mental health and social needs of the individual. Complex trauma in childhood has devastating effects not only on the child, but on public health and the whole of society. Individuals with complex trauma not only have soaring levels of mental health comorbidity: they also are at unusually high risk for chronic medical problems, many of which are leading causes of death.

As always, our 2010 conference will feature a rich mixture of educational workshops and scientific presentations. ISSTD conferences are noted for their friendliness, warmth, and their encouragement of dialogue. If you work with trauma or dissociation—as a clinician, as a researcher, or as an academic—we invite you to submit a proposal to present your work in Atlanta this October.

Sincerely,

Click Here to Go to Conference Registration Now!

Paul F. Dell, PhD, ABPP
ISSTD President

Donald Fridley, PhD
President-Elect
2010 Annual Conference Chair

Jennifer Frank Smith, MA, LPC
27th Annual Conference Vice-Chair