Relational affect regulation: An integrative protocol for complex trauma surviviors

Attachment theory and interpersonal neurobiology demonstrate the importance of the therapeutic relationship as a primary change mechanism. With survivors of childhood relational trauma, betrayal of trust and attachment issues create obstacles to developing a secure therapeutic alliance. Even when the therapeutic relationship feels more secure, these clients often experience separation between sessions as attachment loss. This can feel burdensome to the therapist, who may receive multiple crisis phone calls throughout the week. In this presentation, the relational affect regulation protocol will be explained and case examples will illustrate how it is put into practice. Drawing upon concepts from Stress Inoculation Training (SIT), Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), the protocol helps facilitate dyadic affect regulation and object constancy during the stabilization phase of treatment with complex trauma survivors. The elements of an SIT script will be described and creative adaptations will be proposed. AEDP microprocessing of the client’s experience of the therapist reading the script to the client will be explained and illustrated. The EMDR procedure for installation of the therapist as a resource will be taught and strategies for utilizing this as a selfsoothing method between sessions will be delineated.

Participants will be able to: discuss two problems clients ♦♦ with Complex PTSD have with attachment and fear of attachment loss in therapy, and will be able to identify three strategies to address this issue. ♦♦ explain AEDP microprocessing of interactions between client and therapist, and how this technique can help survivors of childhood relational trauma to develop trust in the therapist. ♦♦ list the four essential elements of an SIT script and utilize the steps involved in the relational affect regulation protocol with their clients.

Conference

English

Andrea Goldberg

Goldberg, A. (2010, October). Relational affect regulation: An integrative protocol for complex trauma surviviors. Presentation at the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation 27th Annual International Conference, Atlanta, GA