Session One - An Introduction to Complex Trauma and Dissociation in Children and Adolescent

February 13, 2026

Session One - An Introduction to Complex Trauma and Dissociation in Children and Adolescent
Content Level: Advanced

Session Description
Given that dissociative disorders such as DID and OSDD-1 generally begin in childhood, it is imperative even for clinicians treating dissociative adults only, to have an understanding of the etiology and presentation of dissociation in children and adolescents, as well as interventions and treatments that are indicated. While it is widely accepted that ongoing, severe trauma, abuse and neglect in childhood, are antecedents to developing dissociative disorders, this course will also delve into some of the parental factors that contribute to dissociation. There continues to be a paucity of research on the assessment and treatment of dissociation in children and adolescents, and no appropriate diagnosis for children and adolescents with developmental trauma disorder. In this session, we will explore the need for such a diagnosis, as well as review the current treatments for children and adolescents with pathological dissociation.

Readings

  1. Lewis, J., Binion, G., Rogers, M., & Zalewski, M. (2019). The associations of maternal emotion dysregulation and early child dissociative behaviors. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 21(2), 203–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2019.1647911
  2. Ford, J. D. (2023). Why we need a developmentally appropriate trauma diagnosis for children: A 10-year update on developmental trauma disorder. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 16(2), 403–418. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-022-00496-0
  3. Woolard, A., Boutrus, M., Bullman, I., Wickens, N., Gouveia Belinelo, P. D., Solomon, T., & Milroy, H. (2024). Treatment for childhood and adolescent dissociation: A systematic review. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 16(S3), S483–S491. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001692

Timed Outline
40 minutes:    Discussion of Reading 1
40 minutes:    Discussion of Reading 2
40 minutes:    Discussion of Reading 3
30 minutes:    Discussion of Readings 1-3 as applied to disguised clinical case material

Learning Objectives

After the completion of this class, participants will be able to:
  1. Identify and discuss the impact of maternal emotional dysregulation on early childhood behaviors and the relevance to the development of dissociative coping strategies in children
  2. Discuss the needs and recommendations for a diagnosis of “Developmental Trauma Disorder”, for children and adolescents
  3. Review and discuss the current treatments for children and adolescents
  4. Apply these topics to disguised case material of student’s clients
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 2.50 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.
  • 2.50 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 2.50 continuing education credits.
  • 2.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 2.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
Course opens: 
09/29/2025
Course expires: 
11/30/2026
Event starts: 
02/13/2026 - 11:30am EST
Event ends: 
02/13/2026 - 2:00pm EST
Part of: 
Advanced Topics in Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders | Flakser 2026
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Available Credit

  • 2.50 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.
  • 2.50 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 2.50 continuing education credits.
  • 2.50 ISSTD Certificate Program
    This program is eligible for 2.50 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
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Required Hardware/software

Please review the following documents prior to the first course session. 

Insert Syllabus

fileA Student's Guide to ISSTD PTP teleseminars 2021.docx

Required Module One
Friday, September 17, 2021
10:30am - 1:00pm Eastern Time

Zoom Information