PTP Course Descriptions, Fees & Policies

The Professional Training Program (PTP) advances understanding and treatment of trauma and dissociation. ISSTD PTP courses provide current, high-quality content and instruction, setting the standard for graduate and continuing education in trauma and dissociation. The program includes four levels of discussion-based training courses.

ISSTD Professional Training Program courses are designed to be heavily discussion based with minimal formal, didactic instruction. The courses are intended to offer insight, exploration, and critical thought opportunities beyond that of a typically structured post graduate program. Participants are encouraged to complete the assigned readings and attend every session prepared to engage in active discussion of the material in collaboration with expert insight and consultation from the instructor.

For information about current courses and to register, visit the ISSTD Center for Advanced Studies.

Course Descriptions

Level I

The Complexities of Complex Trauma

Curriculum Director: Su Baker, MEd


The course will focus on the etiology of chronic trauma, its clinical picture, tools of assessment, the phase oriented approach to trauma and treatment pitfalls and therapeutic alliance. The course is partly didactic, based on the assigned readings, and partly discussion of the “Case of Erica”, a teaching case which unfolds in a naturalistic progression over 4 classes.

This course then continues the information learned in the first half of the course and will focus on betrayal and memory, treatment modalities, the role of attachment, applications of theoretical models, and secondary trauma. The course is partly didactic, based on the assigned readings. In addition, students must be prepared to discuss theories as applied to treatment of their own clients.

Intended Participants

Licensed mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, accredited psychotherapists, etc.) who are interested in developing their skills in treating clients with chronic trauma related disorders. 

This course content is at the beginning/intermediate level.

Required Textbooks

  1. Courtois, CA, and Ford, JD  (2013) Treatment of Complex Trauma: A Sequenced, Relationship-Based Approach. NY, NY: The Guilford Press.
  2. Courtois, CA, and Ford, JD, eds. (2020) Treating Complex Traumatic Stress Disorders in Adults, second edition. NY, NY: The Guilford Press.
  3. Herman, JL (2022) Trauma and Recovery: The aftermath of violence – from domestic abuse to political terror. NY, NY: Basic Books

For full course syllabus and references, click here.

Course Format

Twelve 2.5 hour sessions completed over a period of six to twelve months.

Course Completion Requirements

Course completion requires attendance, participation in sessions, and completion of session and overall evaluations. APA continuing education credits will only be awarded for live attendence for 50 minutes out of every hour of training. 

To receive ASWB ACE credit, participants must participate and attend live the full time of all course sessions and complete session and overall evaluations. Students must attend all sessions in full to be eligible for credits, no partial credit is available.

Continuing Education & ISSTD Certificate Program Credits

ASWB ACE
The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers.  State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 30 continuing education credits.

American Psychological Association (APA)
The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ISSTD Certificate Program: This course has been approved for 30 credits towards the ISSTD Certificate of Advanced Studies in Trauma & Dissociation. Participants must participate live in at least eight out of twelve sessions to receive credit.

Level II

From Complex Trauma to Dissociative Disorders

Curriculum Directors: Su Baker, MEd and Joan Turkus, MD


Participants must have taken The Complexities of Complex Trauma to enroll in this course.

Course Description

This course was created to give clinicians a solid education in how to identify and work with complex trauma and dissociation. The first half of the course covers guidelines for treatment and how to fulfill those guidelines in the process of therapy. Students will learn how to recognize the signs of complex trauma and dissociation, and understand the effects of trauma on the development and functioning of adult clients. They will be taught the relevant assessment tools to use, and how to structure therapy to be most effective for clients with all levels of traumatic experiences.  Students will also learn how working with traumatic material challenges both client and therapist, and how to meet the relational challenges that may emerge in therapy.  

Special features that are common with dissociative clients will be covered, along with the skills necessary for the successful treatment of dissociation in clients. The course includes literature review and discussion, lecture and the explorations of a teaching case, “The Case of Harold.”

The second part of the course covers opening treatment of dissociative disorders, disorganized attachment, neurobiology, self (ego) states, treatment and techniques, self-care, suicidality and self-injury, affect and sensate regulation, and integration techniques. Students must be prepared to discuss theories as applied to the treatment of their own client. Each student will be expected to select one or two clients to discuss in class. The case of Harold used in Part I may also be utilized during class discussions.

Intended Participants

Licensed mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, accredited psychotherapists, etc.) who are interested in developing their skills in treating clients with complex trauma and dissociative disorders. Students must have taken the Level I course to take this course.

This course content is at the beginning/intermediate level.

Required Textbooks

  1. Boon, S, Steele, K & van der Hart, O (2011) Coping with trauma-related dissociation: Skills training for patients and therapists. NY: NY, Norton.
  2. Chu, JA (2011) Rebuilding Shattered Lives: Treating Complex PTSD and Dissociative Disorders, 2nd edition. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley and Sons.
  3. Chefetz, RA (2015) Intensive Psychotherapy for Persistent Dissociative Processes: The Fear of Feeling Real. NY, NY: Norton
  4. Howell, EF (2011) Understanding and treating Dissociative Identity Disorder. NY: NY Routledge.
  5. Steele, K, Boon, S & van der Hart, O (2017) Treating trauma-related dissociation: A practical, integrated approach. NY: NY, Norton.

For full course syllabus and references, click here.

Course Format

Sixteen 2.5 hour sessions completed over a period of eight to twelve months.

Course Completion Requirements

Course completion requires attendance, participation in sessions, and completion of session and overall evaluations. APA continuing education credits will only be awarded for live attendence for 50 minutes out of every hour of training. 

To receive ASWB ACE credit, participants must participate and attend live the full time of all course sessions and complete session and overall evaluations. Students must attend all sessions in full to be eligible for credits, no partial credit is available.

Continuing Education & ISSTD Certificate Program Credits

Continuing Education: Fees include continuing education (CE) credits. This course has been approved for 40 CE credits.

ASWB ACE
The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers.  State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 40 continuing education credits.

American Psychological Association (APA)
The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ISSTD Certificate Program: This course has been approved for 40 credits towards the ISSTD Certificate of Advanced Studies in Trauma & Dissociation. Participants must participate live in at least 12 out of 16 sessions to receive credit.

Level III

Advanced Topics in Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders

Curriculum Directors: Su Baker, MEd and Joan Turkus, MD


Course Description

This course consists of nine sessions. Each session is “free-standing” in that it encompasses an entire topic to be covered in a single class.

Session Topics

  • Session One – An Introduction to Complex Trauma and Dissociation in Children and Adolescents
  • Session Two – Depersonalization and Derealization
  • Session Three – Institutional Betrayal
  • Session Four – Psychopharmacology and Medical Consequences of Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders
  • Session Five – Neurobiology of Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders and Research Update
  • Session Six – Shame and Moral Injury and Their Roles in Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders
  • Session Seven – Addictions and Eating Disorders
  • Session Eight – Sexual Victimization of Boys and Men and its Outcomes
  • Session Nine – Suicidality and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Intended Participants

Licensed mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, accredited psychotherapists, etc.) who are interested in developing their skills in treating clients with complex trauma related disorders. Students must have successfully completed From Complex Trauma to Dissociative Disorders to register for this course. Students who have completed the previous “Standard Course” before 2012 must have permission from the course instructor and one of the course directors.

The course content is at the advanced level.

Required Textbooks

There are no required textbooks. All materials will be provided at no cost via the online course portal. 

For full course syllabus and references, click here.

Course Format

Nine 2.5 hour sessions over a period of up to nine months.

Course Completion Requirements

Course completion requires attendance, participation in sessions, and completion of session and overall evaluations. APA continuing education credits will only be awarded for live attendence for 50 minutes out of every hour of training. 

To receive ASWB ACE credit, participants must participate and attend live the full time of all course sessions and complete session and overall evaluations. Students must attend all sessions in full to be eligible for credits, no partial credit is available.

Continuing Education & ISSTD Certificate Program Credits

Continuing Education: Fees for in-person and teleseminar courses include continuing education (CE) credits. This course has been approved for 22.5 CE credits.

ASWB ACE
The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers.  State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 22.5 continuing education credits.

American Psychological Association (APA)
The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ISSTD Certificate Program: This course has been approved for 22.5 credits towards the ISSTD Certificate of Advanced Studies in Trauma & Dissociation. Participants must participate live in at least seven out of nine sessions to receive credit.

The Assessment and Treatment of Traumatic Dissociation in Children and Adolescents

Course Description

This course focuses on the assessment and treatment of traumatic dissociation in children and adolescents with complex trauma-related disorders. Over nine sessions, participants will engage in literature discussions, lectures, and case studies, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications. The course curriculum covers a wide range of topics, starting with models of dissociation in children, which includes exploring developmental and attachment-related theories and relevant neurobiological research. Subsequent sessions delve into the identification and manifestation of dissociative symptoms across different developmental stages, emphasizing accurate diagnosis and the avoidance of misdiagnoses.

A significant portion of the program is dedicated to developing case conceptualization skills and integrating treatment guidelines and principles tailored to dissociation in young clients.This involves using comprehensive assessment data to guide treatment planning, understanding the role of family dynamics, and addressing cultural considerations in therapy. Stabilization techniques and building therapeutic relationships form the core of the initial treatment phase, focusing on safety, emotional regulation, and establishing trust. The program also covers advanced strategies for bridging dissociative states, addressing self-harm and aggression, and ensuring environmental safety. Further sessions address collaboration and advocacy within child-serving systems, emphasizing the therapist’s role in communicating and advocating for clients across various milieus. The course also explores trauma processing techniques, including memory work and managing flashbacks, and concludes with strategies for integration and post-integration work, preparing therapists to support clients through the final stages of therapy and ensuring long-term resilience and well-being.

Intended Participants

Licensed mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, accredited psychotherapists, etc.) who are interested in developing their skills in treating clients with chronic trauma related disorders in children and adolescents. 

The course content is at the advanced level.

Required Textbooks

  1. Sinason, V., & Renée Potgieter Marks. (2022). Treating Children with Dissociative Disorders. Routledge.
  2. Silberg, J. L. (2021). The Child Survivor: Healing Developmental Trauma and Dissociation. Routledge.

For full course syllabus and references, click here.

Course Format

Nine 2.5 hour sessions over a period of up to nine months.

Course Completion Requirements

Course completion requires attendance, participation in sessions, and completion of session and overall evaluations. APA continuing education credits will only be awarded for live attendence for 50 minutes out of every hour of training. 

To receive ASWB ACE credit, participants must participate and attend live the full time of all course sessions and complete session and overall evaluations. Students must attend all sessions in full to be eligible for credits, no partial credit is available.

Continuing Education & ISSTD Certificate Program Credits

Continuing Education: Fees for in-person and teleseminar courses include continuing education (CE) credits. This course has been approved for 22.5 CE credits.

ASWB ACE
The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers.  State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 22.5 continuing education credits.

American Psychological Association (APA)
The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ISSTD Certificate Program: This course has been approved for 22.5 credits towards the ISSTD Certificate of Advanced Studies in Trauma & Dissociation. Participants must participate live in at least seven out of nine sessions to receive credit.

Level IV

Master Seminar: Complex Posttraumatic and Dissociative Disorders

The Master Seminar provides a seminar/small group format of knowledgeable mental health professionals, who are treating clients with Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Dissociative Disorders. This is an opportunity to read and discuss the latest books in our field, peruse recent journal articles, and present clinical cases.

Intended Participants

Licensed mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors) who are personally treating clients with Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Dissociative Disorders and who have personally treated a significant number of such clients in a minimum of eight (8) years in clinical practice. In addition, the participants must have taken one of our Level III courses.

This course content is at the advanced level.

Course Format

Once monthly 2.5 hour sessions for eight or nine months.

No courses at this level are open at this time.

Course Completion Requirements

Course completion requires attendance, participation in sessions, and completion of session and overall evaluations. APA continuing education credits will only be awarded for live attendence for 50 minutes out of every hour of training. 

To receive ASWB ACE credit, participants must participate and attend live the full time of all course sessions and complete session and overall evaluations. Students must attend all sessions in full to be eligible for credits, no partial credit is available.

Continuing Education & ISSTD Certificate Program Credits

Continuing Education: Fees for in-person and teleseminar courses include continuing education (CE) credits. This course has been approved for up to 22.5 CE credits.

ASWB ACE
The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers.  State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ISSTD maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 22.5 continuing education credits.

American Psychological Association (APA)
The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ISSTD Certificate Program: This course has been approved for 22.5 credits towards the ISSTD Certificate of Advanced Studies in Trauma & Dissociation. Participants must participate live in at least seven out of nine sessions to receive credit.

Course Fees

Below you will find the fees for the ISSTD Professional Training Program courses. Fees include continuing education (CE) credits. Fees listed are in US dollars (USD).

ISSTD Member FeeNon-Member Fee
The Complexities of Complex Trauma $799.00$899.00
From Complex Trauma to Dissociative Disorders $1099.00$1199.00
Advanced Topics in Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders$699.00$749.00
The Assessment and Treatment of Traumatic Dissociation in Children and Adolescents $699.00$749.00
Master Seminar: Complex Posttraumatic and Dissociative Disorders$449.00$499.00

Course Policies

Registration Policies

Receiving Approval to Register
ISSTD is interested in the success of this program. Applicants must be licensed clinicians. If you are a licensed clinician, you do not need to receive approval to register for the The Complexities of Complex Trauma Course.

We do accept students, trainees, interns, etc. under the following conditions:

  • If you are currently working under the supervision of a licensed clinician as part of the pre-licensing process, a letter from your supervisor giving you permission to participate must be submitted to professionaltraining@isst-d.org.
  • If you are a graduate student, a letter from your Department Chairperson permission to participate must be submitted to the professionaltraining@isst-d.org.

The letter for either must include that your supervisor approves you taking the class, that it will not interfere with your coursework, will not interfere with your practice, and will directly benefit your educational development.

Once a letter of recommendation is received and approval for registration is granted, you will receive an email from staff with next steps for registration. If you register without prior consent, we cannot guarantee your approval and your registration fee may be refunded to you, minus an administrative fee of $45 for handling of improperly submitted registration materials.

Class Size
Registration is limited to no more than 14 persons per in-person and live teleseminar course. Registration limits for online classes may vary.

Course Sequence
Students must start with Level I and proceed sequentially. Level III offers two options: one for those treating adults and another for those treating children and adolescents. Students may choose between these options or complete both after completing Levels I and II.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations will only be accepted up to 14 days prior to the first course session. Cancellations are subject to a $45 cancellation fee plus the cost of copyrighted materials. The course fee is not refundable if you withdraw from the course less than 14 days before the start of the course. Once the course starts, no new students can be accepted more than one week after the course begins. Please note that to receive ASWB ACE credit, all sessions must be attended. All materials used for this course are subject to copyright laws and are not for duplication or distribution by course participants. Fees must be submitted with registration, and must be submitted in US dollars.

If you have a problem or a concern about the course, please contact the ISSTD Professional Training Program at professionaltraining@isst-d.org.

Additional Policies

Grievance Policy
ISSTD is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformation with the APA and ASWB grievance procedures.

During a course, instructors will address any concerns that arise. Every effort will be made to address the concerns during the course when possible. If the course instructor(s) are unable to address the participant’s concerns, the complaints and grievances shall be presented in writing to ISSTD Headquarters at professionaltraining@isst-d.org. These will be forwarded on for review by the PTP Chair and Course Level Director(s).

Social Workers: Should social workers have a specific grievance, these grievances will be addressed by D. Michael Coy, LICSW. In situations where the social worker would have a conflict of interest, then, Christine Forner, MSW will review the grievance.

ISSTD strives to resolve grievances in a manner that is in the best interest of the participant. All complaints and grievances are reviewed within 5 working days. Formal grievances are required to be written and emailed as directed above and will be responded to within 15 business days.

Disability Policy (ADA)
We would be happy to accommodate your ADA needs. Please contact ISSTD Headquarters via email at professionaltraining@isst-d.org or via phone at 844.994.7783 for assistance.

Course Completion Requirements and Awarding of Credit
Course completion requires live attendance, participation in sessions, and completion of session and overall evaluations. APA and ASWB credit cannot be awarded for watching the recording of a session. Please be advised that all courses have a course closure date, which is the last day of the month following the last session. All requirements must be completed by the course closure date. At that time, the course will no longer be accessible to participants who have pending tasks and credit cannot be retrieved at a later date. Course completion requirements for each course are listed above in the course descriptions.