The developer of two relational, yet empirically-informed therapies, Dr. Briere has written or co-written a number of books, articles, and psychological tests in the area of trauma and interpersonal violence. His highly acclaimed books and treatment guides include Integrative Treatment of Complex Trauma for Adolescents: A Guide for the Treatment of Multiply-Traumatized Youth; Principles of Trauma Therapy; Psychological Assessment of Adult Posttraumatic States: Phenomenology, Diagnosis, and Measurement; Therapy for Adults Molested as Children; and Child Abuse Trauma: Theory and Treatment of the Lasting Effects.

Recent research indicates that trauma-related disturbance can be quite complex. When trauma exposure involves early, repetitive, interpersonal maltreatment, especially in the context of ongoing psychological neglect or parental disattunement, the outcome may involve not only classic posttraumatic stress, but also dysfunctional attachment styles, altered relational schema, affect dysregulation, and overdeveloped avoidance responses.

Drawing on the latest research and theory, Dr. Briere will present a nonpathologizing, developmentally-informed therapy for these complex posttraumatic presentations. His approach incorporates relational, cognitive-behavioral, and mindfulness principles to support the processing of implicit and explicit traumatic memories through careful therapeutic exposure, and the development of increased affect regulation capacities so that avoidance behaviors such as substance abuse or tension reduction activities are less necessary for psychological equilibrium. Participants also will learn to describe the reworking of cognitive responses and activated relational schema within the therapeutic relationship, and a reconsideration of culturally transmitted assumptions regarding emotional pain, suffering, and the need to avoid “negative” internal states.