Dignity in Dissociating, Dignity in Treatment

Abstract:
Discussions and new research the last few years have explored how dissociative presentations in the therapeutic setting look and feel different than decades ago. Shifting culture and changing needs require cultural humility to adapt and improve services for effective and ethical treatment. How do clinical models in other movements, such as with disability and LGBTQIA+ movements, inform us in our efforts to care for dissociative and plural populations today?

Systemic oppression is the mistreatment of people of a specific group that is supported and enforced by society and its institutions. This mistreatment often continues through generations, even when those abuses change “shape” and are given different labels. What has been the role of historical trauma in the treatment setting, and how do these collective conversations impact treatment today?

Recent years have also brought specific historical traumas to the surface with fresh focus on reparations improving quality of life. In the mental health community specifically, there have been controversies and communal calls for action in effort to improve care for people with trauma and dissociation. How does cultural humility help us to empower clients rather than oppressing them?

Building on previous presentations about the history of dissociation as a diagnosis, the development of treatment models, and the growth of mad pride culture, Dr. Christensen explains how existing models already validate the space of functional multiplicity – and why we have not noticed it before. This begs the question: What has been the impact of the online community phenomena… and the clinical role in its development?

Come learn the current trends in language and cultural experience of trauma and dissociation, why it matters, and how to effectively and sensitively provide services for people with these experiences.This eye-opening session will change how you interact with your clients, while providing a level of cultural competency that is a critical aspect of any ethical practice with cultural humility.

Potential to Distress: &es

This presentation was originally presented as part of an in-person conference in March 2024.

Target Audience

Advanced

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to: 

  • Explain the impact of the disability and LGBTQIA+ movements in the plural community context
  • Identify examples of historical trauma in the treatment setting
  • Explain cultural humility in treating trauma and dissociation
  • Identify the phenomena of functional multiplicity
  • Discuss differences in traditional dissociative presentations and plural presentations of dissociation
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.50 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the 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.
  • 1.50 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
Course opens: 
05/01/2025
Course expires: 
12/31/2050
ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$35.00
Part of: 
Advancing Clinical Insights of Complex Trauma and Dissociation Content Package
Rating: 
0

Presenter: Emma Sunshaw, PhD, LCPC
Presenter Bio: Emma Sunshaw earned her BS in Human Development, her MS in Professional Counseling, her MDiv in Pastoral Counseling, and her PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy, and she works as licensed clinical counselor and a chaplain. She served as the ISSTD Professional Training Program Administrator, numerous committees and workgroups, moderates the annual DID Awareness Day webinar, and is currently a member of the ISSTD Professional Training Program faculty. As a licensed clinical counselor, she has been in private practice since 2004, with additional experience in ER triage, inpatient psychiatric, residential treatment, school-based, and outpatient settings. Dr. Sunshaw has served as the international clinical coordinator for humanitarian aid organizations offering counseling and trauma resiliency training to government leaders, humanitarian aid workers, and first responders in war zones, refugee camps, and natural disaster sites. Besides numerous syndicated articles online about mental health issues, she is the author of the 2019 EJTD article about DID and the Online Community. She is also the author of a "if tears were prayers", a memoir about Dissociative Identity Disorder, as well as a lived experience interactive workbook for those with dissociative disorders. She is also the editor of a clinical compilation written by several ISSTD members, "Perspectives of Dissociative Identity Response: Ethical, Historical, and Cultural Issues". She has just this year released the book "The Problems of Complex Trauma Therapy". She lectures internationally about trauma and resiliency, and they are the voice behind "System Speak: A Podcast About Dissociative Identity Disorder", which has aired for nine years in 101 countries around the world thus far.
 

Available Credit

  • 1.50 APA
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the 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.
  • 1.50 ASWB ACE
    The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1.50 continuing education credits.
  • 1.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 1.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.

Price

ISSTD Member cost:
$35.00
Your Price:
$35.00
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"Your Price" above reflects your price based on your membership status. In the checkout process you will be asked to specify your career level and may be eligible for further discounts based on your selection.

  • ISSTD defines a student as those enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation. 
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  • If you do not fall into one of the above categories please register as Professional/Retired. 

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