Course Description

The United States is in the midst of an unprecedented mental health crisis. A common factor across the multiple mental health stressors being reported is their traumatic nature, including specifically experiences of identity-based trauma (IBT) stemming from increased marginalization and violence towards groups based on race, sexual orientation, and other fixed and fluid identities. Research indicates that most mental health practitioners (MHPs) lack the self-efficacy, training, and resources to assess and treat IBT. More than 90% of general trauma and IBT cases are missed entirely and go undiagnosed. Most practitioners do not conceptualize identity-based trauma as a treatable mental health issue, and those who do often don’t address the issue because they feel ill-equipped to do so. The purpose of this presentation is to empower MHPs who likely encounter including IBT in their practices.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to relate the IBT framework to the AIP model and use them to improve case conceptualization and treatment planning for complex trauma with identity-based traumas.
2. Participants will be able to integrate the IBT framework into the 8 phases of the standard EMDR protocol.
3. Participants will be able to integrate the IBT framework into the standard three-pronged protocol.

Presenter(s)

Desyree Dixon, Ed, D, LCSW-C

Desyree Dixon, Ed, D, LCSW-C, is the Founder of Bolton Therapy & Wellness. She also is the Founder of Whew! Corporation, a psychological consulting firm that works with organizations to improve employee performance and wellness through training and coaching. She offers training to therapists on best practices in treating trauma, including courses in EMDR and Identity-Based Trauma (IBT). She created (i) the LIFESPAN Model, an innovative therapeutic framework for trauma therapy and (ii) Trauma-Based Identity Distressors (TBID), a framework for conceptualizing and treating identity issues, including identity-based trauma.