Description
Children and adolescents often present in confusing, inconsistent ways. They may struggle with emotional and behavioural dysregulation. Young people frequently respond poorly to non-specific treatment. They may have multiple diagnoses or be prescribed multiple medications, without consistent, positive results. Sometimes these children present as highly achieving, success oriented young people who are seen as “remarkably resilient” to their traumatic histories, until they enter into crisis in adolescence.
In this training, participants will explore the complex realities of children and adolescents with traumatic dissociation. Recognizing, assessing, and treating these young people requires specialized understanding and training to address dissociative symptoms. Grounded in leading edge research in dissociative disorders and developmental neurobiology, participants will be introduced to specific techniques to build and improve relationships with children and youth. They will practice ways to address the challenging (and often confusing) presentations and behaviours that interfere with daily functioning, creating chaos and disruption in the family home, placement, and school.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe key characteristics of traumatic dissociation, related behaviours and responses.
- Assess young people with traumatic dissociation and plan for effective treatment.
- Manage and respond to the challenging behaviours exhibited by these children and adolescents.
- Use strategies to engage and form helping relationships with children and adolescents with traumatic dissociation.
Who Should Attend
This training suitable for mental health professionals, clinicians, psychotherapists, social workers, counsellors and more.
Course Dates & Format
There are no scheduled dates for this course at this time, however in-service is available.
This is a 6-hour training. This course consists of two 3-hour interactive virtual sessions using Zoom.
Instructor: Niki Gomez-Perales, MSW, RSW
Niki Gomez-Perales is a recognized expert in the areas of children’s mental health, complex trauma, attachment and dissociation. Niki completed her B.S.W. from McMaster University in 1986 and her M.S.W. from the University of Toronto in 1991. She has more than 30 years of experience in the fields of child welfare and children’s mental health. For the past 25 years Niki has worked as a therapist at a Children’s Mental Health clinic in Hamilton Ontario.
Niki has lectured on Complex Trauma and Attachment with the ISST-D, the ESTD, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Association for Training on Trauma and Attachment in Children, Safeguards Training for Children and Adult Services and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She has special interests in the areas of Interpersonal Neurobiology, Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Experiencing, Early and Pre-verbal Trauma and Attachment.
Niki has advanced training in EMDR, Clinical Hypnosis, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy. She is an active member and Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation and a winner of the ISSTD 2016 written media award for her book, “Attachment-Focused Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents: Phase-Oriented Strategies for Addressing Complex Trauma Disorders,” (2015. Routledge).
Training Fee
Group Registration: Save 20% off individual fees with a group registration of 4 or more participants. Download the group registration form HERE.
Continuing Education Information
Licensing boards and professional organizations will grant Continuing Education credits for attendance at their discretion when participants submit the course outline and certificate.
In-Service
This is available as an in-person or virtual in-service training and customized to suit your needs.
