In this session, Dr. Ross will explain the principles and techniques of his Trauma Model Therapy (TMT). TMT was developed for treatment of people with complex PTSD and dissociative disorders, including their extensive comorbidity. This often includes depression and borderline personality disorder. TMT can be adapted for people with less severe trauma and less complex mental health problems and is suitable for all practice settings.

Dr. Ross will explain the principles of TMT including: the problem of attachment to the perpetrator; the locus of control shift; the problem is not the problem; just say ‘no’ to drugs; addiction is the opposite of desensitization; and the victim-rescuer-perpetrator triangle. The two core features of the therapy are a focus on conflicted, ambivalent attachment and the self-blame and self-hatred arising from the locus of control shift. These two aspects of the model are based on the biology of mammalian attachment and developmental psychology. The techniques of TMT will be illustrated through case examples. The therapy involves a blend of cognitive, systems, behavioral, experiential and psycho dynamic techniques within a unified theory.

 

Learning Objectives:

1. To describe the core principles of Trauma Model Therapy.
2. To describe the problem of attachment to the perpetrator and the locus of control shift in detail.
3. To describe specific treatment strategies through case examples.
4. To provide a forum for questions and discussion concerning trauma.