For almost three decades this conference has examined the evolving knowledge of how trauma affects psychological and biological developmental processes, and how the damage caused by trauma and neglect can be reversed. This year we will explore new frontiers in this work, frontiers that transcend old paradigms of explaining, fixing troublesome behaviors, or administering drugs.
The study of psychological trauma has been accompanied by an explosion of knowledge about how experience shapes the central nervous system and the formation of the self. Developments in the neurosciences, developmental psychopathology and information processing have contributed to our understanding of how brain function is shaped by experience and that life itself can continually transform perception and biology.
The study of trauma has probably been the single most fertile area in helping to develop a deeper understanding of the relationship among the emotional, cognitive, social and biological forces that shape human development.
Starting with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults and expanding into early attachment and overwhelming experiences in childhood, this endeavor has elucidated how certain experiences can “set” psychological expectations and biological selectivity.
We have learned that most experience is automatically processed on a subcortical level in the brain; i.e., by “unconscious” interpretations that take place outside of awareness. Insight and understanding have only a limited influence on the operation of these subcortical processes. When addressing the problems of traumatized people who, in a myriad of ways, continue to react to current experience as a replay of the past, there is a need for therapeutic methods that do not depend exclusively on drugs and cognition. In this conference we will pay particular attention to physical self-experience, finding one’s voice to speak the truth of experience, and the transformative potential of action, mind altering medications and theater.
Workshops included in this recording:
This online program is worth 6.25 hours CPD.
Bessel A. van der Kolk, MD, is a clinician, researcher and teacher in the area of post-traumatic stress. His work integrates developmental, neurobiological, psychodynamic and interpersonal aspects of the impact of trauma and its treatment.
Dr. van der Kolk and his various collaborators have published extensively on the impact of trauma on development, such as dissociative problems, borderline personality and self-mutilation, cognitive development, memory, and the psychobiology of trauma. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed scientific articles on such diverse topics as neuroimaging, self-injury, memory, neurofeedback, Developmental Trauma, yoga, theater, and EMDR.
He is founder of the Trauma Center in Brookline, Massachusetts and President of the Trauma Research Foundation, which promotes clinical, scientific, and educational projects.
His 2014 #1 New York Times best seller, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Treatment of Trauma, transforms our understanding of traumatic stress, revealing how it literally rearranges the brain’s wiring – specifically areas dedicated to pleasure, engagement, control, and trust. He shows how these areas can be reactivated through innovative treatments including neurofeedback, somatically based therapies, EMDR, psychodrama, play, yoga, and other therapies.
Dr. van der Kolk is the past president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and professor of psychiatry at Boston University Medical School. He regularly teaches at conferences, universities, and hospitals around the world.
Speaker Disclosures:
Ruth Lanius, MD, PhD, FRCPC, Professor of Psychiatry, is the director of the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research unit at the University of Western Ontario. She established the Traumatic Stress Service and the Traumatic Stress Service Workplace Program, services that specialize in the treatment and research of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and related comorbid disorders. She currently holds the Harris-Woodman Chair in Mind-Body Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Western Ontario.
Her research interests focus on studying the neurobiology of PTSD and treatment outcome research examining various pharmacological and psychotherapeutic methods. She has authored more than 100 published papers and chapters in the field of traumatic stress and is currently funded by several federal funding agencies. She regularly lectures on the topic of PTSD nationally and internationally She has recently published a book The Impact of Early Life Trauma on Health and Disease with Eric Vermetten and Clare Pain.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Ruth Lanius has employment relationships with Western University of Canada, McMaster University, St. Joseph's Health Care, University of Western Ontario, Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research, London Health Sciences Centre, Robarts Research Institute, and the Lawson Health Research Institute. She receives grants from the National Defence (Canada), the Academica Medical Organization of Southwestern Ontario, the Trauma Research Foundation, and the Canadian Institute of Health Research. Dr. Lanius receives royalties as a published author. She receives a speaking honorarium, recording, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Ruth Lanius is a fellow with the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, a member of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, the New York Academy of Sciences, and the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. She is a journal reviewer for several publications, to see a complete list contact PESI, Inc.
Wendy’s research focuses on the psychobiological alterations associated with exposure to complex trauma. This work has focused on changes in factors such as affect recognition and regulation, attention and cognition, relationship, and identity, with an eye towards using lab-based and physiological methodologies for assessment.
Her work also attempts to unpack the contributions of marginalization to ways in which individuals adapt to adversity. This research unfolds both the lab as well as in the field, in psychosocial intervention settings. Dr. D’Andrea received her doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Michigan and completed her postdoctoral training at The Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute. She is an associate professor of psychology and director of clinical training at The New School in New York, NY. When not working, she loves to dance and cook (sometimes at the same time).
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Wendy D'Andrea has an employment relationship with The New School in New York, NY. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships.
Non-financial: Dr. Wendy D'Andrea is the program co-chair of Ad-hoc Committee on Grant Funding for Psycho physiologists Society for Psychological Research. She is a member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and American Psychological Association.
Alexander McFarlane, MB BS (Hons) MD, is the Professor of Psychiatry, Head CMVH, University of Adelaide Node, The Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health, Australia; and Past President, ISTSS. He’s the author of more than 300 peer-reviewed scientific articles on PTSD, and Co-author of Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience in Mind, Body and Society. He’s also the principal investigator, Australian Department of Defense longitudinal study of combat exposure.
Peter J. Bayley, PhD, War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, clinical assistant professor, Stanford University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
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