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Practical Strategies for Complex PTSD: An Integrative Mind-Body Approach to Treating Repeated, Chronic, and/or Developmental Trauma e-learning course

Practical Strategies for Complex PTSD: An Integrative Mind-Body Approach to Treating Repeated, Chronic, and/or Developmental Trauma e-learning course
While it took some time for researchers and practitioners to agree that Complex PTSD has its own aetiology, symptomatology and recommended therapeutic methods; distinct from PTSD – there is now increasing realization that our clinical approaches need to be considerably different when our clients have suffered prolonged and repeated incidences of interpersonal trauma. Such trauma could have been chronic sexual, psychological and physical abuse, neglect, intimate partner violence or situations that involved captivity – resulting in extended periods of terror, fear and severe dysregulations of affect and arousal.
Instructions on how to access the e-learning course will be included in a downloadable document in your booking confirmation email (under ‘Download’). The e-learning course becomes available within 24 hours from placing the order and online access remains available for 2 years from the date you receive the e-learning course.
There is no known commercial support for this programme.
This course does not qualify for CE credits.
$277.98

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Speaker(s)

Course length in hours
Full course information
This practical and clinically oriented e-learning course draws on efficacy proven techniques from relational psychotherapy, Parts Work Therapy, Somatic Psychology, EMDR Therapy, DBT and mindfulness-based techniques – to explain effective therapeutic tools that facilitate a strength-based approach to trauma recovery and increase resilience in our clients.
While a number of practitioners have been trained to work with single, traumatic events – navigating Complex PTSD requires us to work with multiple layers of personal, relational, societal and / or cultural losses. Dr Schwartz has organized this course in an experiential format – aimed at helping us successfully organize and prioritize our clients’ therapeutic goals. Through a series of lectures, case vignettes and examples, we will learn how to compassionately and effectively work with clients who have experienced multiple traumatic events and prolonged trauma exposure.
Our learning objectives include:
- identify contributing factors to the development of Complex PTSD
- discuss a phase oriented, evidence-based approach to complex trauma treatment as a structured approach to therapy
- recognize how polyvagal theory provides an essential foundation for understanding arousal states as related to the tri-phasic model of trauma recovery
- explain how mutual regulation serves as a precursor to self-regulation in treatment
- identify at least five practical mind-body therapy tools to help clients feel resourced and prepared for trauma processing
- describe how to help clients build affect and sensation tolerance in preparation for trauma processing
- recognize how working with the “Window of Tolerance” can help reduce the likelihood of re-traumatization
- describe how “top-down” and “bottom up” interventions can speed up or slow down the pacing of trauma treatment
- practice at least three interventions for working with somatic symptoms in trauma treatment
- recognize how client’s “parts” related to early developmental trauma can contribute to somatic symptoms
- understand how to work with preverbal memories by attending to somatic sensations
- identify self-care practices for therapists to manage somatic countertransference and vicarious trauma
Our focus will be on the following skills:
- Reclaiming Choice and Containment
- Somatic Release and Grounding
- Breath Awareness Practice
- Developing Dual Awareness
- Create your Resilience Recipe
- Relational Resourcing and the Tree of Life
- Increasing Affect & Sensation Tolerance
- Imagining a Reparative Experience
Programme
Module 1: Understanding Complex PTSD
- Defining Complex PTSD
- Diagnostic Clarification and Differential Diagnosis
- Contributing Factors of C-PTSD
- Symptoms of C-PTSD
- Skill: Reclaiming Choice and Containment
- Realities of Working with Complex PTSD
- Skill: Self-Awareness and Self-Care for Therapists
Module 2: The Neurobiology of C-PTSD
- The Neurobiology of C-PTSD: Beyond Fight and Flight
- Polyvagal Theory
- Mobilization and Immobilization
- 6 Stages of Trauma Response
- Conditioned Immobilization
- Skill: Somatic Release
- Dissociation and Dissociation
- Preverbal and Nonverbal memories
- Clinical Assessment tools: Triggering Events, Avoidance Behaviours, and Dissociative Symptoms
- Skill: Grounding
Module 3: Implications for Therapy
- Interpersonal neurobiology
- Neuropsychotherapy: The 6 R’s of Healing Trauma
- “Window of Tolerance”
- Top-Down and Bottom-Up Processing Interventions
- Psychobiological Tools in Therapy
- Skill: Breath Awareness Practice
Module 4: Phase Based Treatment
- Stabilization and Safety
- Skill: Anchoring the Adult Self
- Working Through Complex PTSD
- Skill: Develop Dual Awareness
- Integration and Meaning Making
- Skill: Create your Resilience Recipe
Module 5: Integrative Model of Care
- Introduction to the Integrative Approach
- Biopsychosocial Model of Treatment
- Relational Therapy
- Co-Regulation
- Psychobiological Regulation and Applied Polyvagal Theory
- Skill: Relational Resourcing
- CBT, ACT, & NET
- Skill: The Weather Report and Forecast
- Skill: Tree of Life
Module 6: Integrative Model Part 2
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
- Skill: Cultivate Wise Mind
- Skill: Build Boundaries
- Skill: Increase Affect and Sensation Tolerance
- Parts Work Therapies
- Skill: Identify Allies
- Skill: Imagine a Reparative Experience
Module 7: Integrative Model Part 3
- Exposure and EMDR Therapy
- Skill: Reprocessing the Past
- Skill: Pendulation
- Somatic Psychology
- 5 Stage model of Trauma Processing
- Skill: Sequencing and Somatic Re-Patterning
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Acceptance and Compassion Practices
- Skill: Mindfulness of the Moment
- Skill: EFT
- Skill: Gratitude and Loving Kindness Meditations
Module 8: Integration and Closure
- Integration and Closure
- Existential Considerations
- Fostering Resilience
- Integration and Installation of Positive Change
- Skill: Golden Nugget Practice
- Case Conceptualization, Discussion, and Questions
What's included in this course
- Presented by world-class speaker(s)
- Handouts and video recording
- 10 hrs of professionally produced lessons
- 2 years access to the e-learning course
- CPD Certificate
- Join from anywhere in the world
This practical and clinically oriented workshop draws on efficacy proven techniques from relational psychotherapy, Parts Work Therapy, Somatic Psychology, EMDR Therapy, DBT and mindfulness-based techniques – to explain effective therapeutic tools that facilitate a strength-based approach to trauma recovery and increase resilience in our clients.
Learning objectives
- Identify contributing factors to the development of Complex PTSD
- Discuss a phase oriented, evidence-based approach to complex trauma treatment as a structured approach to therapy
- Recognize how polyvagal theory provides an essential foundation for understanding arousal states as related to the tri-phasic model of trauma recovery
- Explain how mutual regulation serves as a precursor to self-regulation in treatment
- Identify at least five practical mind-body therapy tools to help clients feel resourced and prepared for trauma processing
- Describe how to help clients build affect and sensation tolerance in preparation for trauma processing
- Recognize how working with the “Window of Tolerance” can help reduce the likelihood of re-traumatization
- Describe how “top-down” and “bottom up” interventions can speed up or slow down the pacing of trauma treatment
Overall, the aim is to facilitate reconnection of mind, body and brain and integration of disavowed parts, to restore presence and embodiment in both client and therapist.

Arielle Schwartz, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist, EMDR Therapy consultant, and certified yoga instructor with a private practice in Boulder, Colorado. She earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Fielding Graduate University and holds a Masters degree in Somatic Psychology through Naropa University. She is the author of three books: The Complex PTSD Workbook: A Mind-Body Approach to Emotional Control and Becoming Whole (Althea Press, 2017), EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology: Interventions to Enhance Embodiment in Trauma Treatment (W. W. Norton, 2018) and The Post Traumatic Growth Guidebook. She is a core teacher with The Maiberger Institute offering Advanced Workshops on topics of EMDR Therapy, Somatic Psychology, Attachment Trauma, and Chronic Pain. Her psychotherapy practice specializes in PTSD, Complex PTSD, grief and loss, resilience, and therapeutic yoga. She is dedicated to offering informational mental health and wellness updates through her writing, public speaking, social media presence, and blog. Learn more at www.drarielleschwartz.com
3 reasons why you should attend this course
- Join from anywhere: we provide online streaming as well as access to a video recording after the event
- Courses delivered by internationally renowned experts
- Our courses are stimulating, relevant and actionable and wide-ranging

What we offer
125+
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Join from anywhere
All timings for our physical events (plus live streaming) and online webinars are shown in London, UK time. Depending on where you are in the world, all you need to do is check the time difference and if the timings of the live event don’t work for you, your ticket includes a 1-year access to the full video recording of the session and a full set of handouts. You can watch the programme at the time of your convenience after the event date. Whether you opt for live attendance or video recording, you will still receive a certificate of completion!
Yes, delegates join our training programmes from all over the world. Whether you are in Europe, Americas, Asia or Australia, you can watch our courses both live or you can opt for a video recorded version. All you need is reliable internet access! Our online webinars are conducted on Zoom and all our physical events are live streamed so you can join these from anywhere in the world. We also make video recordings of all our events, so if you are not able to join live, all tickets include access to the video recorded version for 1 year.
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