Making complex PTSD simple again!

‘Complex PTSD’ is a term that will be used in ICD-11 to denote a severe form of PTSD comprising symptom clusters reflecting difficulties in regulating emotions, disturbances in relational capacities, and negative beliefs about self. Although some experts recommend that trauma-focused treatment of those suffering from this condition should be preceded by a stabilization phase, there is mounting evidence from research showing that those suffering from Complex PTSD can be treated with EMDR, or other evidence based trauma-focused therapies, without much preparation.

Clearly, from a clinical point of view, there are a number of challenges when treating patients with Complex PTSD, including the fact that many of them are afraid of a confrontation with their emotions, the occurrence of severe abreactions, or dissociation that limits access to the trauma memories during the sessions, SUD levels that do not decline, and cognitive distortions, for instance about guilt, that do not shift.

The goal of this workshop is to provide (1) an overview of evidence based, trauma-focused treatment strategies for complex patients using EMDR, (2) solutions for difficulties that are associated with the treatment of individuals suffering from Complex PTSD, and (3) helpful techniques to deal with problems around dissociation and guilt. This presentation will be illustrated by many video segments of treatment sessions using EMDR with a wide range of patients suffering from Complex PTSD.

Conference

English

Ad de Jongh

de Jongh, A. (2018, June). Making complex PTSD simple again! Preconference presentation at the at the 19th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Strasbourg, France