Trauma Treatment Course
Complex Trauma
Trainer: Crystal Wildes
Available on-demand
How prepared are you to support clients who have experienced not just one traumatic event, but a lifetime of complex trauma? The Complex Trauma course, led by expert Crystal Wildes, delves deep into the intricate and often misunderstood world of complex trauma. This course is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and tools to recognize the pervasive effects of prolonged trauma on the mind and body. Through this course, you’ll learn how chronic trauma reshapes the brain, disrupts emotional regulation, and complicates the therapeutic process, making it crucial for therapists to have specialized skills and approaches.
By enrolling in the Complex Trauma course, you’ll gain practical strategies for building strong therapeutic alliances, creating safe spaces, and guiding clients through the healing process. This course offers invaluable insights into how to help clients not just survive but thrive, even in the aftermath of profound and ongoing trauma. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your practice and provide the compassionate, informed care that your clients need to reclaim their lives.
This course was recorded on May 22, 2024.
Available for asynchronous on-demand.
This course is an individual module from our Foundations of Traumatology: Key Skills for Trauma Therapy program, which is a 20 CE, 9 module program. You can get access to this module, and 8 more modules with the entire comprehensive program!
COURSE DETAILS
The Complex Trauma course, presented by Crystal Wildes, offers an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted nature of complex trauma and its profound impact on individuals. The course begins by defining complex trauma, emphasizing that it goes beyond single traumatic events to include prolonged and repeated exposure to traumatic situations, often in a relational context. This type of trauma can deeply affect a person’s sense of self, relationships, and overall functioning.
The course delves into the neurobiological effects of complex trauma, explaining how chronic stress can alter brain structures and functions, particularly in areas responsible for emotional regulation, memory, and executive functioning. These changes can lead to long-term mental health issues, including dissociation, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships. The course also highlights the role of the autonomic nervous system and the body’s physiological responses to ongoing trauma, contributing to a heightened state of arousal and difficulty in achieving a sense of safety.
A significant focus of the course is on therapeutic approaches to treating complex trauma. It emphasizes the importance of building a strong therapeutic alliance, creating a safe and supportive environment, and using trauma-informed care practices that are sensitive to the unique needs of those who have experienced complex trauma. The course also discusses strategies for helping clients develop resilience, process traumatic memories, and regain a sense of control over their lives. The overall aim is to equip therapists with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively support individuals dealing with the long-term effects of complex trauma.
AGENDA
- Differentiating CPTSD from PTSD
- Core Features & Symptoms
- Impact on Cognition, Emotion, & Memory
- Interplay of Attachment & Trauma
- Conclusion
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Identify the core features and symptoms of Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) that differentiate it from traditional Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
- Describe the impact of prolonged, repeated trauma on cognition, emotion, and memory.
- Analyze the interplay of attachment and trauma and how attachment is linked to Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD).
ABOUT YOUR TRAINER, CRYSTAL WILDES
Dr. Crystal Wildes is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years experience working, training, and providing supervision/consultation in a variety of settings. She’s a Trauma Therapist Institute trainer and senior faculty member, and an expert EMDR clinician. Crystal has worked with individuals and families of all ages, including adjudicated youth, at-risk teens, families involved with social services, and victims of crime. Crystal is committed to providing compassionate and effective mental health care with a focus on healing complex trauma. Specializing in EMDR therapy, she brings a wealth of expertise to her practice, offering a unique and evidence-based approach to support individuals on their journey to recovery. In addition to her clinical work, Crystal is a dedicated educator and trainer. She shares her expertise with fellow clinicians through workshops, seminars, and training programs focused on trauma-informed care and the implementation of EMDR therapy. Crystal is committed to equipping mental health professionals with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the intricate landscape of trauma treatment. She prides herself in being authentic and genuine in her approach to facilitating the learning experience.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
