Short Courses

Prof Onno van der Hart

A survivor with a complex trauma-related dissociative disorder once remarked that therapists should realize that dissociative people have a great capacity for imagination, which often remains greatly under-utilized. However, imagination may also act as a liability, playing a major role in the maintenance of trauma-related dissociation of the personality, which consists of dissociative parts mainly functioning in daily life (Apparently Normal Parts of the Personality; ANPs) and parts stuck in trauma-time (Emotional Parts; EPs). EPs may intensely and involuntarily imagine, even hallucinate, that the traumas of the past occur again. Such experiences can be regarded as malignant hypnotic trance states, in which the involved part of the personality is caught, having no possibility to reflect on the experience. Indeed, hypnotic states are characterized by a narrowed field of consciousness, absorption, and (often but not always) suggestibility. In this webinar Prof Van der Hart will discuss the application of two types of hypnotic-like guided imagery work in which clients are assisted in voluntary and deliberately realize reaching mutually agreed positive treatment goals:

(1) Resolving specific problems or symptoms with concrete or metaphoric images. Regarding metaphoric approaches, language is full of metaphors, with so-called metaphoric kernel statements referring to something essential; e.g., the way a patient may experience a particular problem. Whether concrete or metaphoric, these pathogenic kernel statements will be taken as point of departure for guided imagery.

(2) systemic work for fostering safe communications and increased collaboration among dissociative parts, in particular with regard to the construction and utilization of protective imagery,  imaginary inner meeting places, safe or calm places, confrontation with and titration of traumatic memories, fusion rituals among dissociative parts. The short course will cover theoretical literature, case illustrations, and practical guidelines.

Dr Kris Rao

In this Short Course, you will gain understanding of some of the key legal & ethical issues involved in providing online therapy especially around current industry requirements, informed consent, jurisdiction, legal requirements, etc.

Prof Andrew Moskowitz

In this online course, Dr Andrew Moskowitz will provide a comprehensive overview of the links and overlaps between the psychosis, trauma and dissociation – relationships which are poorly understood. You will be introduced to the historical background of schizophrenia and contemporary developments in psychosis research. Experiences of delusions will then be discussed from  trauma and attachment perspectives, followed by a presentation of the extensive links between dissociation and hallucinations – particularly voice hearing. A couple of case illustrations will be employed to tease out important nuances and practical applications.

Prof Andrew Moskowitz

Carl Gustav Jung certainly needs no introduction. His ideas and theories profoundly influenced 20^th century psychology, religion, literature and the arts, and remain highly influential today. In the popular mind, he is often characterized as a ‘disciple’ of Freud, yet this is clearly inaccurate. During the intense seven years (1906-1913) that they were friends and colleagues, Jung was already known for his research and writings; for a time, he willingly aligned himself with Freud’s ambitions, but his thinking was always independent. The influence of the dissociation pioneers Pierre Janet and the Swiss psychologist Theodor Flournoy on Jung’s ideas ultimately won out.

Though volumes have been written by Jung and about Jung, here we will focus on only one aspect of his work and life, albeit a most important one – Jung’s role as a pioneer in the field of trauma and dissociation. We will trace his life and work in three areas: 1) Biographical and autobiographical writings focusing particularly on his early life and sense of himself as divided into more than one part, 2) Jung’s concept of the complex, its relation to trauma and dissociation and its influence on Bleuler’s (1911) construct of schizophrenia, and 3) Jung’s view of normal personality as characterized by personality types and as being inherently dissociative, with the concept of archetypes complementing the concept of complexes. This final section will discuss Jung’s views on the Self and the process of individuation, and will include a review of contemporary ‘multi-mind’ theories of personality directly influenced by Jung, such as Hal and Sidra Stone’s Voice Dialogue and Dick Schwartz’s Internal Family Systems therapy.

Dr Kevin Keith

Erich Fromm [1900-1980] was a truly an exceptional figure. He lived through eight decades of the 20th Century. We still have much to rediscover from his life’s work, which actively engaged a fracturing world. Fields as broad as psychoanalysis, sociology, economics, critical theory and philosophy have all benefited from his accessible style and courageous focus. Indeed, his highly influential ideas—including ‘love’ ‘listening’ ‘hope’ and ‘social justice’—expressed throughout his prolific career have gained rightful recognition decades after his death.   

The three webinars will roughly follow a chronological order: (1) his early life, key influences and emergence of a refined social-theoretical psychoanalytic foundation, (2) key clinical contributions and technique from love and listening, and finally, (3) how his ideas match with contemporary issues and have been taken up by current scholars and therapists to address global concerns. Central ideas, select publications, and comments by Fromm scholars will be curated throughout the series to bring back to life relevant practical applications for work in 2025.