102075: Crisis Management for Clients with Complex Trauma

About the Course:

Therapists can be overwhelmed by working with clients with frequent crises that threaten the life, safety, and health of the client. Often, clients suffering from Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders present with a phenomenal array of crisis events. Therapists often struggle with the complexity, frequency, and severity of these events, and their overwhelming emotional toll on both client and therapist. This webinar will explore specific guidelines and techniques that have been developed for trauma survivors, as well as present a strategy of shifting from crisis management to crisis prevention as the treatment progresses. The role of various methods of intervention, including hypnosis will be discussed. Indications for hospitalization as well as alternatives to hospitalization will also be reviewed.

It has been said that within each crisis is an opportunity. We will approach the topic of crisis intervention from the perspective of both the resilience and specific vulnerability of trauma survivors to crisis reactions. Strategies for eliciting client’s resilience in the midst of crisis will be reviewed, as well as ways of utilizing crisis to strengthen clients coping resources and self-efficacy. The impact of crisis on the therapist and common countertransference dilemmas will also be discussed. Our goal for the webinar is to develop enhanced effectiveness in navigating the rough waters of client’s crises.

Journal/Publisher:

International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation

Publication Date:

6/13/2014

Author

Victor Welzant, Psy.D. (presenter)

About the Author:

Dr. Welzant maintains a private consulting and clinical practice in Towson MD, where he specializes in the treatment of Trauma and Stress related conditions, supervision, and training. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. Victor is the Director of Education and Training and past member of the Board of Directors of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, based in Ellicott City, MD. Victor previously served as Director of Acute Trauma Services for the Sheppard Pratt Health System and as a therapist in the trauma disorders program of Sheppard Pratt. Dr. Welzant is the Clinical Director for the Anne Arundel Fire Dept. Critical Incident Stress Management team in MD, as well as a supervisor for the Sheppard Pratt Health Care CISM team development. He is a consultant to the Harford County Maryland Sheriff’s Department’s Crisis Negotiation, and Peer Support teams and served on the adjunct faculty of Towson University in Psychology, Nursing, and Homeland Security. Victor currently serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience. Victor lectures and consults internationally on the treatment of trauma related conditions, Crisis Intervention, and workplace violence.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially psychologists, counselors and social workers who seek knowledge about crisis management strategies for individuals who experience complex trauma. It is appropriate for an introductory to advanced levels of participants’ knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. Identify 5 common precipitants of crisis clients with dissociative disorders and complex trauma.

2. Describe a strategy to address crises by eliciting and enhancing client resilience.

3. List 5 specific techniques for crisis management that have been proven useful for clients with Dissociative and Complex Trauma reactions.