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DVD

2-Day: Healing from Toxic Relationships: Help Your Clients Recover from Gaslighting, Narcissism, and Emotional Abuse


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Faculty:
Stephanie Sarkis, PhD, NCC, DCMHS, LMHC
Duration:
12 Hours 16 Minutes
Copyright:
Nov 10, 2022
Publisher:
PESI Inc.
Product Code:
RNV059011

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Description

Toxic relationships come in all types— romantic partners, business partners, parents, siblings, friends…

and everyone, at some point in their lives, has experienced a toxic relationship.

As a therapist you’ll encounter at least one client a month who is preparing to leave or has left a toxic relationship. They’re emotionally fragile, so being well-educated on how to provide the best care for your client is a must - as well as how to deal with your own feelings of frustration when your client returns to the toxic relationship.

Stephanie Sarkis PhD is the author of the best-selling books Gaslighting: Recognize Manipulative and Emotionally Abusive People— and Break Free and Toxic Relationships: Help Your Clients Recover from Gaslighting, Narcissism, and Emotional Abuse.

Watch Dr. Sarkis, for this LIVE two-day webinar where she shows you, through evidence-based practice: trauma-informed therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, case studies and her 20 years of experience, how to help clients rebuild their lives after the trauma of a toxic relationship:

  • Knowing what to do when your client gets “hooked” on the cycle of abuse & reconciliation
  • Client who continues to seek out similar toxic relationships
  • Moving on without closure
  • Letting go of anger and self-blame
  • Establishing boundaries
  • Practicing self-care
  • Grief – working through the loss
  • Rebuilding emotionally healthy relationships

Don’t miss out on getting answers to an all-too common but underdiscussed personality type!

Purchase today!

Credit

Planning Committee Disclosure - No relevant relationships

All members of the PESI, Inc. planning committee have provided disclosures of financial relationships with ineligible organizations and any relevant non-financial relationships prior to planning content for this activity. None of the committee members had relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or other potentially biasing relationships to disclose to learners.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.



**

NOTE: Save time and money off other submission methods – purchase & take the CE test online for $39.99. Additional processing fees apply for other submission methods (i.e. mail, fax, etc.). CE certificate may be earned after passing the post-test (80% passing score) and completing the evaluation. Please contact our Customer Service at 1-800-844-8260 for more details. Instructional methods will include PowerPoint, didactic lecture, and others.

Continuing Education Information:  Listed below are the continuing education credit(s) currently available for this non-interactive self-study package. Program content is reviewed periodically per accrediting board rules for currency and appropriateness for credit. Credit approvals are subject to change. Please note, your state licensing board dictates whether self-study is an acceptable form of continuing education, as well as which credit types are acceptable for continuing education hours. Please refer to your state rules and regulations. If your profession is not listed, please contact your licensing board to determine your continuing education requirements and check for reciprocal approval. For other credit inquiries not specified below, please contact info@pesi.com or 800-844-8260 before purchase.

Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of your profession.  As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your profession's standards.  

For planning committee disclosures, please see the statement above. For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.


Counselors

This self-study activity consists of 12.25 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save the course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from the activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements.


California Counselors

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE programs that are approved by other approval agencies, including several that approve PESI and its programs.  A full list of approval agencies accepted by the BBS can be found at www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/cont_ed.html under “Where to find CE Courses.” This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 12.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Florida Counselors

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. Provider Number 50-399. This self-study course qualifies for 12.25 continuing education credits.


Illinois Counselors

This intermediate self-study activity consists of 12.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Per the IDFPR: Social Work Continuing Education Sponsors approved by the Division in accordance with the rules for the administration of Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act (225 ILCS 201), 68 Ill.  Adm. Code 1470.95; PESI, Inc. is a registered social work continuing education sponsor with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 159-000154. A certificate of attendance will be awarded at the end of the program to participants who are in full attendance, pass a post-test, and who complete the program evaluation.


Kentucky Counselors

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 14.5 continuing education credit hours for Kentucky Counselors. The Continuing Education Requirements for the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (201 KAR 36:030 Section 2) state continuing education programs from providers sponsored or approved by a state counseling licensure board shall be approved without further review by the board. PESI, Inc. is approved by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. Provider #4540. PESI maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.


Missouri Counselors

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 12.25 continuing education clock hours for Missouri Counselors. The Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors accepts continuing education programs relevant to counseling that are provided by organizations recognized by national social worker associations. PESI, Inc. is recognized by a national social worker association. Please see social work approvals for this program.


Montana Counselors

The Montana Board of Behavioral Health no longer pre-approves any courses or sponsors. Each licensee is responsible for taking courses which contribute to their competence and directly relate to their scope of practice as defined in board statute (MAR 24-219-32). Licensees must keep CE documentation for three years in case of an audit. This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 12.25 clock hours of instruction.


Nevada Counselors

PESI, Inc. is an approved CEU provider with the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors. This self-study activity qualifies for 12.25 contact hours. Approved Provider # NVCEP2006.


New York Counselors

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0033. This self-study activity will qualify for 14.5 contact hours. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance


Ohio Counselors

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board. Provider approval #:RCST071001. Full attendance at this course meets the qualifications for 12.25 clock hours of general continuing education. Tracking number: 20-TBD


Pennsylvania Counselors

The Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors accepts many national association CE approvals, several of which PESI offers. For a full list, please see your State Board regulations at https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/. This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 12.25 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


South Carolina Counselors

This self-study program has been approved for 12.0 continuing education hours by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. Provider #4540.


Texas Counselors

This self-study activity consists of 12.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors no longer approves programs or providers. PESI activities meet the continuing education requirements as listed in Title 22 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 681, Subchapter J, Section 681.142 Acceptable Continuing Education. Please retain the certificate of completion that you receive and use as proof of completion when required.


Social Workers - National ASWB ACE

PESI, Inc., #1062, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: January 27, 2023 - January 27, 2026. Social workers completing this course receive 12.25 Clinical continuing education credits.

 

Course Level: Advanced Format: Recorded asynchronous distance. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.

 

Canadian Social Workers: Canadian provinces may accept activities approved by the ASWB for ongoing professional development.


California Social Workers

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE programs that are approved by other approval agencies, including several that approve PESI and its programs.  A full list of approval agencies accepted by the BBS can be found at www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/cont_ed.html under “Where to find CE Courses.” This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 12.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Colorado Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Provider #1413. This self-study course has been approved for 12.2 continuing education hours. 

 

COLORADO PARTICIPANTS ONLY: If you did not answer YES to be reported to the Colorado Chapter of the NASW on the evaluation, please contact cepesi@pesi.com and provide the full title of the webcast, speaker name, date of live broadcast, your name and your license number in the email.


Florida Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. Provider Number 50-399. This self-study course qualifies for 12.25 continuing education credits. 


Illinois Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Illinois, Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 159-000154. Successful completion of this self-study activity qualifies for 12.0 contact hours.


Kansas Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. Provider #14-006. This self-study course has been approved for 12.0 continuing education hours.


Minnesota Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Minnesota, Board of Social Work. Provider #: CEP-140. This self-study package has been approved for 12.0 continuing education hours. This certificate has been issued upon successful completion of a post-test.


Montana Social Workers

The Montana Board of Behavioral Health no longer pre-approves any courses or sponsors. Each licensee is responsible for taking courses which contribute to their competence and directly relate to their scope of practice as defined in board statute (MAR 24-219-32). Licensees must keep CE documentation for three years in case of an audit. This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 12.25 clock hours of instruction.


New York Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0008. This self-study activity will qualify for 14.5 contact hours. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance. 


Ohio Social Workers

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board. Provider approval #:RCST071001. Full attendance at this course meets the qualifications for 12.25 clock hours of general continuing education. Tracking number: 20-TBD


Pennsylvania Social Workers

The Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors accepts many national association CE approvals, several of which PESI offers. For a full list, please see your State Board regulations at https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions. This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 12.25 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Arizona Psychologists

This activity consists of 12.25 hours of continuing education instruction and is designed to meet the requirements of the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners (Sec. R4-26). Please save the course outline, certificate of completion, and any other supporting documentation you receive from this home study activity in case it is requested by the board.


California Psychologists

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 12.0 continuing education credit hours for California Psychologists. The California Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Psychology recognizes and accepts for continuing education credit courses that are specifically applicable and pertinent to the practice of psychology and by entities approved by the ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education). This enduring material is certified for a maximum of 12.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ by PESI as an accredited ACCME provider authorized to award credit by the AMA. PESI, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.


Canadian Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. PESI, Inc. maintains responsibility for the program. This program is approved for 12.0 self-study continuing education hours. Full credit statement at: www.pesi.com/cpa-statement


Florida Psychologists

PESI, Inc., is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Psychology.Provider Number #50-399.This product qualifies for 12.2 self-study continuing education credits.


Illinois Psychologists

 

PESI, Inc is an approved provider with the State of Illinois, Department of Professional Regulation. License #: 268.000102. Full attendance at this self-study course qualifies for 12.0 contact hours.


Kentucky Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is approved by the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology to offer continuing education for psychologists, approved provider #202312H. PESI maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This self-study activity will qualify for 12.25 contact hours.


New York Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0014. This self-study activity will qualify for 14.5 contact hours. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.


North Dakota Psychologists

CE credit is available. This course consists of 12.25 continuing education clock hours for North Dakota Psychologists. The North Dakota State Board of Psychologist Examiners, pursuant to 66-03-01-03, confirms acceptance of continuing education programs for content related to practice authorized in North Dakota (century code 43-32) for programs approved by certain ce associations. When printing your certificate, please include any national social work approvals.


Ohio Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is approved by the Ohio Psychological Association, Provider #263896894, to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PESI, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content. PESI is offering this self-study activity for 12.25 Standard hours of continuing education credit.


Pennsylvania Psychologists

PESI, Inc. is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology to offer continuing education for psychologists. Provider #PSY000211. PESI maintains responsibility for the program(s). This self-study program qualifies for 12.25 continuing education hours.


Psychologists & Physicians

Physicians: PESI, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. PESI, Inc. designates this enduring material for a maximum of 12.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. This activity was originally recorded on 11/10/2022. It was last reviewed on 08/17/2022 and is valid until 08/17/2025.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. You are required to successfully complete and submit a post-test prior to receiving a certificate of completion.


Psychologists: The following state psychologist boards recognize activities sponsored by PESI, Inc. as an approved ACCME provider: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin. This activity consists of 12.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. You are required to successfully complete and submit a post-test prior to receiving a certificate of completion.


Marriage & Family Therapists

This self-study activity consists of 12.25 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Credit requirements and approvals vary per state board regulations. Please save this course outline, the certificate of completion you receive from this self-study activity and contact your state board or organization to determine specific filing requirements. 


California Marriage & Family Therapists

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE programs that are approved by other approval agencies, including several that approve PESI and its programs.  A full list of approval agencies accepted by the BBS can be found at www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/cont_ed.html under “Where to find CE Courses.” This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 12.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Florida Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. Provider Number 50-399. This self-study course qualifies for 12.25 continuing education credits.


Illinois Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. has been approved as a provider of continuing education by the State of Illinois, Department of Professional Regulation. Provider #:168-000156. Full attendance at this self-study activity qualifies for 12.0 credits.


Montana Marriage & Family Therapists

The Montana Board of Behavioral Health no longer pre-approves any courses or sponsors. Each licensee is responsible for taking courses which contribute to their competence and directly relate to their scope of practice as defined in board statute (MAR 24-219-32). Licensees must keep CE documentation for three years in case of an audit. This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 12.25 clock hours of instruction.


Nevada Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. is an approved CEU provider with the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors. This self-study activity qualifies for 12.25 contact hours. Approved Provider # NVCEP2006.


New York Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. #MFT-0024. This self-study activity will qualify for 14.5 contact hours. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance


Ohio Marriage & Family Therapists

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board. Provider approval #:RCST071001. Full attendance at this course meets the qualifications for 12.25 clock hours of general continuing education. Tracking number: 20-TBD


Pennsylvania Marriage & Family Therapists

The Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors accepts many national association CE approvals, several of which PESI offers. For a full list, please see your State Board regulations at https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/. This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 12.25 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


South Carolina Marriage & Family Therapists

This self-study program has been approved for 12.0 continuing education hours by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. Provider #4540.


Texas Marriage & Family Therapists

This self-study activity consists of 12.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction. Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists no longer approves programs or providers. PESI activities meet the continuing education requirements as listed in Title 22 of the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 801, Subchapter K, Section 801.264 Types of Acceptable Continuing Education. Please retain the certificate of completion that you receive and use as proof of completion when required.


Addiction Counselors - NAADAC

NAADAC

This self-study course has been approved by PESI, Inc., as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 12.0 CE in the Counseling Services skill group. NAADAC Provider #77553. PESI, Inc. is responsible for all aspects of their programming. Full attendance is required; no partial credit will be awarded for partial attendance.


California Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors (CADTP)

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider by the CADTP, Provider #: 201. This Category H activity meets the qualifications for 12.0 CEU's (continuing education hours).


Connecticut Addiction Counselors

Provider #120924. This course has been approved as a CCB approved training and has been awarded 12.25 hours by the Connecticut Certification Board.


Oklahoma Alcohol & Drug Counselors

PESI, Inc. is an Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors approved provider #20240032. This self-study activity consists of 12.25 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


California Licensed Educational Psychologists

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE programs that are approved by other approval agencies, including several that approve PESI and its programs.  A full list of approval agencies accepted by the BBS can be found at www.bbs.ca.gov/licensees/cont_ed.html under “Where to find CE Courses.” This intermediate level self-study activity consists of 12.0 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


South Carolina Psycho-Educational Specialists

This self-study program has been approved for 12.0 continuing education hours by the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. Provider #4540.


New York Creative Art Therapists

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Art Therapists. #CAT-0087. This self-study activity will qualify for 14.5 contact hours. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.


Other Professions

This self-study activity qualifies for 12.25 continuing education clock hours as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Save your activity advertisement and certificate of completion, and contact your own board or organization for specific requirements.



Handouts

Faculty

Stephanie Sarkis, PhD, NCC, DCMHS, LMHC's Profile

Stephanie Sarkis, PhD, NCC, DCMHS, LMHC Related seminars and products


Dr. Stephanie Sarkis is a renowned therapist and leading expert on gaslighting. With over two decades of experience as a clinician, author, and speaker, Dr. Sarkis has become a trusted voice in the fight against gaslighting and related forms of psychological manipulation. Her groundbreaking book, Gaslighting: Recognize Manipulative and Emotionally Abusive People – and Break Free, has become a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the devastating impact of gaslighting and how to heal from its effects. She was named a diplomate and clinical mental health specialist in child and adolescent counseling by the American Mental Health Counselors Association, one of only 20 professionals in the United States with this dual designation. Dr. Sarkis is also a national certified counselor, licensed mental health counselor, and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and Circuit Mediator. She has been in private practice for over 20 years. Dr. Sarkis is a senior contributor for Forbes online and is also a contributor to Psychology Today. Her Psychology Today posts have been viewed over 70 million times. Her Psychology Today article “11 Red Flags of Gaslighting in a Relationship” went viral, with over 15 million views. She has taught the graduate-level classes Diagnosis and Assessment of Mental Health Disorders in addition to Law and Ethics of Counseling at the University of Florida and Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Sarkis earned a PhD, EdS, and MEd in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida, named by US News and World Report as the top counselor education program in the country. Dr. Sarkis has appeared on CNN, 10% Happier with Dan Harris, Sirius XM Doctor Radio, ABC (U.S.), ABC (Australia), in USA Today, The Washington Post, Newsweek, and many more media outlets. Her research on comorbid ADHD and its impact on pediatric executive function was published in the Journal of Attention Disorders. She hosts the Talking Brains podcast and is based in Tampa, Florida. Her latest book Healing from Toxic Relationships is available now. Visit her website at www.stephaniesarkis.com.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Stephanie Moulton Sarkis maintains a private practice. She serves as a contributor to Forbes, The Huffington Post, and Psychology Today and is an advisory panel member for Evergreen Certifications. Dr. Sarkis is a facilitator for Collaborative Divorce. She receives royalties as a published author. She receives a speaking honorarium, recording, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Stephanie Moulton Sarkis is a professional expert for Understood.org, part of the National Center for Learning Disabilities. She is a member of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association, American Mental Health Counselors Association, Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder, and the National Board for Certified Counselors.


Additional Info

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepesi@pesi.comAccess never expires for this product.


Questions?

Visit our FAQ page at www.pesi.com/faq or contact us at www.pesi.com/info


Objectives

  1. Employ evidence-based practice from trauma-informed therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, solution-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy to assist clients in rebuilding their lives.
  2. Assess suicidality effectively and treat it through integrative psychodynamic psychotherapy and dialectical behavior therapy.  
  3. Determine a diagnosis of complex PTSD through trauma-informed interviewing skills. 
  4. Evaluate the research-based benefits of altruism through volunteering in increasing self-esteem and self-efficacy.
  5. Analyze how parental alienation further traumatizes clients and their children.
  6. Build 10 tools to help clients reestablish healthy boundaries via research-based activities.
  7. Utilize clinical strategies to uncover and heal client’s family-of-origin trauma.
  8. Minimize symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder through trauma-informed therapeutic techniques.
  9. Prescribe individualized therapeutic care to improve client engagement when discussing experience of abuse.
  10. Determine level of family-of-origin pathology in order to inform choice of treatment interventions.
  11. Demonstrate knowledge of vicarious trauma for purposes of reducing clinician burnout.
  12. Diagnose complex post-traumatic stress disorder in a clinical setting.

Outline

Neurochemical Cycle of Abuse: Every Day is a Recovery

  • Harder to leave when trauma bonding has occurred
  • Abuse = cortisol levels and adrenaline increases
  • Reconciliation = dopamine and oxytocin increase
  • Client’s brain can get addicted to this cycle
  • Withdrawal and/or reframing grief after the relationship (i.e., drug withdrawal)

Phases of Toxic Relationships – Cycle of Abuse

  • Attachment Style – Predictor of abuse vulnerability
  • Idealizing - Relationship begins - seems too good to be true, pressured commitment
  • Devaluing - Toxic person starts emotional abuse, eventually ramps up into physical abuse
  • Discarding - Client discovers toxic person’s infidelity, “financial cheating” or toxic person leaves

Results of Toxic Relationships

  • Complicated grief
  • Questioning what was “real” in the Relationship
  • Complex PTSD
  • Dissociative episodes
  • Brief psychotic episode
  • Dissociative identity disorder
  • Suicidality
  • Case study: Sarah, a 52-year-old female who is experiencing complex grief as a result of an abusive family of origin and abusive relationship

Returning to the Toxic Relationship

  • Leave toxic relationships at least three times before they leave for good or are killed
  • Abusers “hoover” victims to get their “narcissistic supply”
  • Therapists may start “fixing” rather than supporting client – codependent behavior

Solution-Focused Therapy to Relearn Self-Care

  • Creating future plans
  • Emotional and physical safety
  • ADL’s – in extreme cases
  • Reconnecting with healthcare (infidelity, etc)
  • Seeking injunction – restraining order
  • Reframing self-care as a necessity rather than a luxury
  • Case study: James, a 53-year-old male relearning basic life skills that were lost as a result of severe abuse and depression

Trauma-Informed Therapy to Break Free from Codependence

  • Multicultural therapy’s view that codependence is a culture-bound term
  • Multi-cultural implication – divorce, religious, traditional gender roles/abuse
  • Determining clients “secondary gain” from codependent behavior

Toxic Family of Origin

  • Abuse can be intergenerational
  • Family of origin substance abuse
  • “Splitting” - golden child and a scapegoat child
  • Siblings may maintain dysfunctional roles into adulthood
  • Using genograms to identify client’s familial behavior patterns
  • Transgenerational family therapy
  • Caregiving and elderly toxic parents

Existential Therapy Tools to Manage Suicidality

  • Best way to assess for suicidality according to research
  • Myths about suicidal behavior
  • Hidden signs of suicidality
  • Evidence-based treatment of suicidality resulting from abuse
  • Case study: Emma, a 17-year-old who has ended an abusive relationship

Coparenting with a Toxic Personality

  • Parental alienation
  • Using detailed parenting plan
  • Resources available - parent coordinator, family law attorney (some do pro bono work)
  • Communicate via a coparenting app
  • Case study: Ian, a 48-year-old who is learning how to coparent with their ex-partner who has been diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder.

DBT & Grief Therapy Techniques to Redefine Closure

  • Toxic person will not give closure
  • Toxic people keep exes and friends “in rotation”
  • Helping clients find their own closure
  • Forgiveness is not necessary for closure
  • Dangers of pushing an agenda of forgiveness on clients
  • Sometimes closure is not possible
  • Clients can have fulfilling lives without closure or forgiveness

Reconnecting with Trusted Friends and Family

  • Reassessing emotional health of client’s loved ones
  • Client’s level of disclosure about the abuse to friends and family – how much is too much
  • Case study: Jimmy, a 28-year-old male reconnecting with family after going no-contact with his mother

ACT & Trauma-Focused Techniques to Help Client Forgive Themselves

  • Forgiving can be a continual process
  • Empty chair and writing techniques
  • CBT – changing inner dialogue (to non-violent communication)
  • Altruism as pathway to healing volunteerism – increase self-esteem and self-concept

The Power of Language in Session

  • When to refer to a relationship as “abusive”
  • Go at same pace of your client
  • Ask client what words they prefer
  • Some words can be triggers
  • Case Study: Sheila, a 38-year-old mother of two who feels she is the cause of the difficulties in her marriage

Trauma-Informed and Solution Focused Therapy - Prepare for Life After a Toxic Relationship

  • Helping clients identify signs of a healthy person
  • Addressing client’s concerns about a healthy relationship feeling “boring”
  • Addiction to the excitement of a toxic relationship
  • Reviewing client’s progress

TIPS for Therapists

  • Attend regular therapy sessions and clinical supervision
  • Beware of client’s experiences triggering your trauma
  • Expect to be contacted by abuser
  • You may be involved in litigation
  • Protecting yourself and your practice
  • Look for signs of burnout
  • Practice proactive self-care

Target Audience

  • Mental health professionals who specialize in women’s issues, work in domestic violence shelters, work with LGBTQIA+ clients, marriage and family therapists, and therapists that work in private practice, group settings, inpatient, and at schools.
  • Members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, American Psychological Association, American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, and American Mental Health Counseling Association would benefit.

Reviews

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