From Ruin to Rebirth: Relational and Attachment Perspectives on the Treatment of Addiction and Developmental Trauma (908)

 Instructor: Natalie Peacock-Corral, MSW, LCSW, CGP

 Addiction is the most common of all psychiatric illnesses and yet perhaps the most misunderstood. We will consider addiction—in all its forms, which will go well beyond substance addiction, as an adaptation to complex developmental trauma. We will offer an approach to the treatment of addiction based on psychoanalytic relational and attachment theory.

How do impaired early relationships predispose someone to later addiction issues? How is addiction a consequence and solution for impaired attachment relationships? How can we heal these early attachment issues with a psychoanalytic relational approach?

We plan to study countertransference, transference, enactment, projection, projective identification, affect regulation, and the container function via in depth case presentations by the instructor, and by applying these concepts to participants' case vignettes. We will discuss accessing the unconscious and repairing attachment wounds via art, music, writing, and other creative approaches. We will view a compelling DVD on Addiction, Trauma, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE).

We will discuss how adjunct treatments are often necessary in early recovery, and how Alcoholics Anonymous may work to heal attachment wounds. Renowned guest speakers will deepen our experience.

We will examine how adjunct treatments are often necessary in addiction and trauma treatment. We will consider how increasing the frequency and length of treatment may be necessary for deep and lasting relational change. We will discuss the way in which Alcoholics Anonymous may play a powerful role in reworking of attachment relationships. We will also discuss the use of art, music, writing and other creative approaches to enhance the work of healing.

This course is meant to be dynamic, engaging, and creative. Join us as we break new ground by broadening our analytic community and integrating a psychoanalytic relational approach into addiction and developmental trauma treatment.

Class will be limited to nine (9) participants and is intended for psychodynamically oriented psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, and other clinicians at an intermediate to advanced level.

Prerequisite: Participants should have a basic understanding of psychoanalytic theory and its application to the treatment of patients. Applicants can meet this requirement through previous coursework, training, or supervision (e.g., Thinking Psychoanalytically: The Basics; the PPSC Introductory Course; Psychoanalytic coursework or supervision in graduate school/residency or post graduation). Applicants who do not meet this requirement may register for the course through permission from the instructors.

Registration Full

Where:    Franklin Square, 1829 E. Franklin Street, Suite 900B, Chapel Hill, NC

When:     October 5, 2018 - December 14, 2018

Time:       12:00-1:30 pm

CME Credits: 12 / CE Credits: 12 / NBCC: 12 clock hours / All others: Letter of Attendance

*NOTE: Psychologists must attend all 12 instructional hours of this class to receive any CE credit through the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA does not allow giving partial credit. If you are a psychologist registering for this class, please contact our administrator at [email protected] for additional information.

Training Program Credit: Students who successfully complete this course can earn elective credit in both the psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy training programs.

About the Instructor: Natalie Peacock-Corral, MSW, LCSW, CGP

Required Text:  Addiction as an Attachment Disorder by Phil Flores. If you click on the book title, you will be linked to the book's page at amazon.com, however other bookstores also carry copies of this text. 

Syllabus: To be posted

Registration and Tuition Deadline deadline is September 28.  $25 Registration Fee is due at time of application.
Tuition: $315
$235 for students matriculated in the training programs 
$290 for residents and graduate students

Payment plans can be arranged with the Administrator
Matriculated students aren't charged a course registration fee.  Students who register for more than one course in a semester pay only one registration fee.  In special circumstances we may accept registrations after the registration deadline, but there will be an additional $20 late registration fee.

Course Cancellation Policy

Registration Full

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss addiction as a biological, psychological, social and spiritual disease.
2. Describe how childhood and adolescent chronic developmental trauma, when co-occuring with impaired attachment relationships with caregivers, often creates a vulnerability to addiction and re-occuring adult trauma.
3. Describe how addiction is often a consequence and solution for impaired attachment relationships.
4. Demonstrate relational treatment approaches and techniques that result in the healing of addiction and trauma.
5. Describe countertransference, transference, enactment, projection, affect regulation, and the container function as part of relational addiction and trauma treatment.
6. Describe how creative treatment approaches via art, writing, music and movement can strengthen the therapeutic alliance, rework early attachment experiences via the transference relationship, and allow access into the patient’s unconscious.
7. Identify what adjunct treatments and support groups (Alcoholics Anonymous) are useful in the treatment of addiction and trauma and why they are effective and often necessary for positive treatment outcomes.
8. Explain how disassociation is often a component to addictive disorders.
9. Explain how differing self-states impact addictive disorders.
10. Describe how the Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) risk factors impact an individual’s predisposition to developing addiction.