Two-day workshop
The Treatment of Traumatic Memories in Patients
with Complex Dissociative Disorders
Prof. Onno van der Hart
March, 14 -15, 2018, Jerusalem
Abstract: The treatment of traumatic memories in the therapy of chronically traumatized patients, especially those who have complex dissociative disorders, needs careful preparation and the utmost care. Without such preparation, memory work with these patients can destabilize or even decompensate them. Thus therapists need to have a good understanding of the dissociative personality structure that exists in these patients, involving types of dissociative parts, their strengths and deficits, and their interrelationships. The theory of structural dissociation of the personality can guide therapists in such understandings and related therapeutic interventions. Phase-oriented treatment is the standard of care. The following treatment phases are commonly distinguished: (1) stabilization, symptom reduction, and skills training; (3) treatment of traumatic memories; and (3) personality (re)integration and rehabilitation. Phase-oriented treatment takes the form of a spiral, in which these different treatment phases can be alternated according to the needs of the patient. The workshop consist of two parts: (1) essential preparatory work; and (2) the treatment of traumatic memories per se. Using the framework of phase-oriented treatment and the theory of structural dissociation of the personality, this workshop will help participants understand essential preparatory work which has to be completed before treating the traumatic memories in a sequential manner. The theory of structural dissociation helps the therapist become aware of which dissociative parts of the personality (and their interrelationships) need to be included in the preparation phase, which deficits need to be recognized and treated, and which resources need to be developed for the treatment of traumatic memories to be successful. Special attention will be given to those dissociative parts that idealize the
perpetrator(s) and those that imitate them. The treatment of traumatic memories per se involved two levels of interventions: (1) guided synthesis (which may take many forms, including EMDR), and which involves the sharing of a traumatic memory among parts, with some of them oriented to the present; and (2) guided realization, which involves making trauma memories part of one’s “autobiography,” thus becoming owner of these memories and realizing they pertain
to past events. These approaches, and the variations in them, will be extensively discussed, illustrated by video presentations, and some of them will be demonstrated and trained in role-playing. The workshop thus contributes to
participants becoming more knowledgeable and skilled in helping their patients to successively transform their traumatic memories into
autobiographical narrative memories, as an essential part of their ongoing integration of the personality.
For whom:Therapists with basic knowledge on complex trauma and dissociation.
PlaceKehillat Yedidya, Rechov Lifshitz 12, Jerusalem
TimeMarch 14 and 15, 9:00 to 17:00
PriceNIS 850for registration until February 20, NIS 900 after.
Registration through
המרכז הישראלי לטיפול בפסיכוטראומה
ת.ד. 3900
ירושלים 91035
טל: 02-6449666 (לתשלום בכרטיס אשראי בטלפון)
פקס: 02-6449777
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נא לשלוח עם המחאה ע"ס850 ש"ח על שם: הרצוג המרכז הישראלי לטיפול בפסיכוטראומה, ת.ד. 3900, ירושלים 91035