Austin Regional Conference

Student registrations are reviewed and accepted upon approval. Student registrants must provide proof of current status in a related field and must submit verification by email or fax. Discounts for Emerging Professionals (first three years after licensure or graduation) are available, please email a copy of your license or degree to ISSTD HQ for discount codes. All registration fees listed are in US Dollars (USD).

Group rates are available for groups of five or more from the same hospital, facility, or university. Please email the ISSTD HQ for assistance with group rates.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received in writing via email or fax. A processing fee of $45 will be charged for cancellations received on or before September 27, 2019 at 5:00 PM ET. No refunds will be issued for no-shows. Refund requests will not be accepted after September 27, 2019. Not all requests will be granted. Substitutions for attendees are accepted at any time.

Registration Contact Information
Email: info@isst-d.org
Phone: 202.803.6332
Fax: 202.747.2864

Meet our Speakers!

Colin A. Ross, MD completed medical school at the University of Alberta and his psychiatry training at the University of Manitoba in Canada. He is a Past President of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, and is the author of over 225 papers and 32 books. He has spoken widely throughout North America and Europe, and in China, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. He has been a keynote speaker at many different conferences, and has reviewed for over 30 different professional journals.

Dr. Ross is the Director of hospital-based Trauma Programs in Denton, Texas, Torrance, California and Grand Rapids, Michigan. He provides cognitive therapy groups at all three locations, in person in Texas and by video-conference in Michigan and California. He has been running a hospital Trauma Program in the Dallas area since moving to Texas in 1991.

Dr. Ross’ books cover a wide range of topics. His clinical books focus on trauma and  dissociation and include: Dissociative Identity Disorder. Diagnosis, Clinical Features and Treatment of Multiple Personality, Second Edition (1997); Schizophrenia: Innovations in Diagnosis and Treatment (2004); The Trauma Model: A Solution to the Problem of Comorbidity in Psychiatry (2007); Trauma Model Therapy: A Treatment Approach for Trauma Dissociation and Complex Comorbidity (2009); Structural Dissociation: A Proposed Modification of the Theory (2013); and Treatment of Dissociative Identity Disorder: Techniques and Strategies for Stabilization (2018).

Dr. Ross has published a series of treatment outcome studies in peer-reviewed journals, which provide evidence for the effectiveness of Trauma Model Therapy. Many of his papers involve large series of cases, with original research data and statistical analyses, including a paper entitled ‘Trauma and Dissociation in China” in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Besides his clinical psychiatry interests, Dr. Ross has published papers and books on cancer and human energy fields, as well as literary works including essays, fiction, poetry and screenplays. He has several different hobbies including travel.

Melissa Caldwell Engle, MS, LPC, ATR is a co-founder and co-owner of Healing Springs Ranch (HSR) LLC. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Registered Art Therapist (ATR). She has over 20 years of experience treating trauma and addictions in the behavioral health arena. Through her experience, she was able to create a truly unique clinical program for HSR that addresses all addictive patterns (substance and process) as well as all co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses during one treatment stay. Her integrated addiction model addresses the underlying function of all symptoms, which in turn eliminates the reasons behind most, if not all, continued self-defeating behaviors.

Melissa’s clinical background began with her role as the Executive Clinical Director of the Colin A. Ross Institute for Psychological Trauma. While in this position, she clinically managed three inpatient programs where she was involved in the development, certification, and implementation of the Trauma Model and its integration into the programs’ curriculum.  In addition to her administrative role, she also provided groups, individual therapy, supervision and consultation.  She has co-presented with Dr. Ross for over 15 years.

Mrs. Caldwell Engle is also a co-founder of the Trauma Recovery Associates (TRA 2002), which was originally created in response to the Catholic Church’s “sex abuse scandal” in 2002. TRA has since grown with its focus being to educate and foster the development of organizational leaders, human service providers, and trauma survivors themselves to respond more effectively to the impact of childhood trauma on individuals and on society. 

In addition, Melissa has also worked in her private practice for 15 years. She has worked with many behavioral health diagnoses including Depression, Dual-Diagnoses, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Personality Disorders, PTSD, Eating Disorders, OCD, Dissociative Disorders and all addictive patterns and diagnoses both at the individual and group level.

She is an internationally recognized speaker on the effects of trauma, addiction and the comorbid client. She has a unique way of combining theory and specific treatment techniques emphasizing experiential/expressive treatment modalities. This combination allows her to reach a broad range of clinicians and participants. Her humor and case examples create a highly entertaining presentation style that makes her a recognized and sought after speaker.

Abstract

In this workshop, Dr. Ross and Melissa Engle will describe how to recognize dissociative identity disorder (DID) and the principles of its treatment. In the morning Dr. Ross will describe the key symptoms of DID and how to ask about them in a clinical interview. He will then demonstrate how to use the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) and the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule (DDIS) to screen for and diagnose DID. Attendees will receive copies of the DES and DDIS by email for their own use. The second half of the morning and the afternoon will be spent on treatment. Principles of the therapy include: the central paradox of DID; the problem of host resistance; and talking through to the voices. Time will be spent on techniques for fostering inter-personality communication and cooperation, grounding and stabilization and other tasks. Techniques and strategies will be illustrated through case examples.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this training participant will be able to:

• Describe symptoms of DID and how to ask about them clinically.
• Describe the use of the DES as a screening instrument for DID.
• Describe how to use the DDIS as a diagnostic interview for DID.
• Describe and explain the central paradox of DID.
• Describe and explain the problem of host resistance in DID.
• Describe the technique of talking through to the voices and how to use it.
• Describe techniques for increasing inter-personality communication and cooperation in DID.
• Describe treatment strategies for different forms of dissociation in full and partial DID.
• Describe techniques for grounding of use in treatment of DID.

References

• Ross, C.A. (2009).  Errors of logic and scholarship concerning dissociative identity disorder.  Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 18, 221-231.
• Ross, C.A. (2017).  Treatment strategies for “programming” and ritual abuse.  Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 18, 3, 454-464.
• Ross, C.A., Ness, L. (2010).  Symptom patterns in dissociative identity disorder patients and the general population.  Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 11, 458-468.
• Ross, C.A., Ferrell, L., & Schroeder, E. (2014).  Co-occurrence of dissociative identity disorder and borderline personality disorder.  Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 15, 79-90.
• Ross, C.A., & Browning, E. (2017).  The self-report dissociative disorders interview schedule:  a preliminary report.  Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 18, 31-37.
• Ross, C.A., Engle, M., & Baker, B. (2019). Reductions is symptomatology at a residential treatment center for substance use disorders. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma, https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771/2018/1543746.

Potential to Stress

This workshop has a low potential to cause stress. No graphic trauma details will be described, however some case histories could be triggering to anyone with unresolved trauma.

American Psychological Association

CE Learning Systems, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE Learning Systems maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Texas Board of Social Work Examiners

CE-Go, a service of CE Learning Systems, is approved to offer continuing education courses by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#6460). CE Learning Systems maintains responsibility for the courses.

Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors

CE-Go, a service of CE Learning Systems, is approved to offer continuing education courses by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (#2032). CE Learning Systems maintains responsibility for the courses.

Live music capital of the world, an artists mecca, a bat haven, a culinary hot spot.. You might think we’re talking about several different cities, but you only need one ticket to experience it all. Austin, Texas, has for many years now experienced a boom of music, entertainment, culture, and world renown cuisine. This Texas town has a huge personality and is set on the stunning outdoor backdrop of the American Southwest. From the minute you set foot in this town there is one thing you can’t help but notice –Austin is a little weird – and in a good way! Known not only for its very eclectic array of residents, from cowboys to creative types, Austinites also pride themselves on supporting locally owned businesses, area artists, and the quirky culture and home-grown history of the city. People from all walks of life call Austin home, and they celebrate all things weird and off-the-beaten-path, creating a local community spirit of fun and authenticity.

Your Guide to Local Attractions from Visit Austin
Dining, Entertainment and Nightlife
Arts and Culture
Live Music

Conference Venue

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Austin

6505 N. Interstate 35
Austin, TX 78752
Phone: 512.454.3737

The DoubleTree by Hilton Austin hotel features an inspired, Spanish colonial design and a location with easy accessibility for navigating the top Austin attractions. Situated just off I-35, our Austin hotel is central to the downtown business district and the Austin Arboretum, and is only 20 minutes from Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Exploring the rest of the city is easy with the Highland MetroRail just a short walk away. Shop and dine at the nearby North Loop neighborhood or use our complimentary shuttle service to travel to attractions within a 2-mile radius for hotel guests.

Travel – Air

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Address: 3600 Presidential Blvd Austin, TX 78719
Phone: 512.530.2242
Visit website

Travel Distance to Doubletree by Hilton Austin
Approximately 12 miles (20 minutes)

Transportation Options

• Super Shuttle $17.00 USD
• Rental Car $35.00 USD
• Taxi $30.00 USD

Travel – Ground

Directions to Hotel from Highway
Enter IH 35 North toward North Central Austin. Take the FM 2222 exit (238A). Move to the far right lane of the access road. After passing the Intersection of Hwy 290 E and IH-35, take the first right onto La Posada Dr. The hotel is located in Central Austin at the corner of La Posada Dr. and IH-35 North.

Discover New Connections in Austin!

Our conference attendees represent the leading professionals in the world of trauma and dissociation. Our conferences allow for organizations to network with and promote your organization to attendees who have traveled from around the globe to be present. As a supporter or exhibitor, you will have the unique opportunity to tap into this esteemed network of professionals. Don’t miss out on this limited opportunity to connect one on one with psychologists, social workers, counselors and other mental health professionals who use and promote the products and services you have to offer!

ISSTD Organizational Membership Available Now!
ISSTD has launched a new Organizational Membership. This membership is open to treatment facilities, hospitals, multi-clinician practices, government organizations/agencies, and colleges/universities who specialize in the treatment of complex trauma and/or dissociation. Bronze, Silver and Gold memberships include exhibit and supporter opportunities in addition to membership. For more information on benefits and prices of the Organizational Membership with ISSTD, click here!

2019-20 Exhibit Pricing

Benefits include:

• One six foot draped table, two chairs, and exhibitor tent card
• Listing on Conference Website
• Copy of Attendee Registration list with contact information
• ONE complimentary registration to the conference (Additional exhibitor registrations can be purchased as noted above)

Exhibitor Add-Ons

• Break Supporter
• Lunch Supporter
• Tote Bag Inserts

Contact Mary Pat Hanlin, Executive Director via email at mhanlin@isst-d.org for additional information or to develop a custom sponsor package today.