The Dissociative Table

This episode, "The N.E.S.T. Model: Ego-State Therapy approaches for the dissociated 'S' (self)" is the third part (of four) of a conversation with Dr. Sandra Paulsen, arguably EMDR's most well-known authority on complex dissociative issues. In this episode, she speaks about the topic she is most widely known for: the integration of Ego-State Therapy with EMDR. Dr. Paulsen is an active clinician, prolific author, and educator. Her lengthy CV includes dozens of published articles in peer-reviewed journals, and can be found at paulsenpsychology.com. Her more accessible books are most EMDR clinicians' introduction to treating complex trauma. A "cartooning psychologist," she also has an Etsy store!

Highlights include:

-The integral connection between Ego-State work and somatic techniques discussed in the last episode

-Accessing traumatic affect and dealing with blocked processing by "interviewing the body"

-The misunderstanding of "ego energy" as a pseudo-spiritual or unscientific concept

-The scarcity of training resources in Ego-State Therapy, and where to find what exists

-The advantages of Ego-State Therapy over other methods of working with dissociative parts of the self

-A discussion of the common criticism that therapists create parts of self by suggestion in attachment-wounded clients

-A defense of working with parts of self based on demonstrable connections to physical intrusions of traumatic affect, and related changes that take place during successful treatment

Dr. Paulsen's books, endorsed equipment, and art can be found at www.paulsenpsychology.com. Most of her online trainings are located at www.sfrankelgroup.com.

In future (as in past) episodes, guests will offer counterpoints to Dr. Paulsen's views, and this video is a dialogue, rather than an endorsement of his perspectives. Likewise, The Dissociative Table does not endorse the views of its hosts, nor do any professional organizations to which the hosts or guests might belong.

Join the discussion of this episode and others at the anonymous, free, clinicians-only discussion board by emailing [email protected].

The music in this episode is taken from the song "Song of Artemis," from Cracked Machine's 2024 album Wormwood. The band has generously donated rights to their music in support of increased global access to effective trauma treatment. Stream or download at: https://crackedmachine.bandcamp.com/

This episode, "Mechanisms of healing: Flash, OCD, EMDR 2.0, and research validity" is the fourth part (of four) of a conversation with Dr. Phil Manfield. Dr. Manfield is now best known as the creator of the Flash Technique, and for decades has been one of the most influential EMDR educators worldwide.

Episode highlights include:

-Dr. Manfield presents an argument that Ad de Jongh's EMDR 2.0 is actually a more complex version of Flash, and shares some personal anectdotes.

-The remarkably successful treatment of OCD by non-specialist Flash practitioners is discussed, with the mechanism of healing contrasted with the most successful current methods.

-Criticisms are raised surrounding publication standards in the psychology literature, in that less-successful treatments promoted simply because they fit a particular research model. Dr. Manfield provides a shocking example that was recently exposed.

-The host and Dr. Manfield reflect on how the role of conversation between colleagues has been lost amid the divide of research and practice.

-A call is made for clinicians using any serious modality to explore how Flash can speed their process when heightened emotional response derails treatment.

Dr. Manfield is the author or editor of five books on psychotherapy, an international EMDRIA-Approved EMDR trainer, and creator of The Flash Technique. A more detailed bio is contained in the first episode of this series. His websites are www.flashtechnique.com, and www.emdrvideo.com.

The music in this episode is taken from the song "Jormundandr," from Cracked Machine's album Call of the Void. The band has generously donated rights to their music in support of increased global access to effective trauma treatment. Be sure to check out their new album, Wormwood, at: https://crackedmachine.bandcamp.com/

Highlights include:

"A Question of Pain: Grief and catharsis in EMDR, Flash, and psychodynamic approaches," is the third part (of four) of a conversation with Dr. Phil Manfield. Dr. Manfield is now best known as the creator of the Flash Technique, but for decades has been one of the most influential EMDR educators worldwide.

This episode represents the best of what TDT intends to offer, which is a challenging, opinionated, but lighthearted conversation about the role of narrative in treating complex trauma. Highlights include

-The host presents voiced challenges to Dr. Manfield's models of treatment, based on objections that neglect is an *absence* of memories, and that attachment pain must be experienced to be grieved.

-Dr. Manfield narrates his own early experience of attachment-based therapy according to a psychodynamic model, and offers this as a contrast to his approach.

-Criticisms of certain psychodynamic models of complex trauma treatment, in particular a recent attempt to integrate EMDR with Schema Therapy.

-EMDR discussed as a "dissociation detector," altering the careers of therapists who did not previously notice complex trauma as widespread.

-Grieving the narrative as a healing approach, rather than the need to experience catharsis through pain.

-Dr. Francine Shapiro's radical impact on the understanding of trauma and traumatology (AIP model), and the need for a "visceral shift" in healing.

-A discussion of how psychodynamic (and other models) can successfully incorporate Flash simply to save time and pain, without a "mashup" of modalities that requires reconceptualizing one's treatment modality.

In future (as in past) episodes, guests will offer counterpoints to Dr. Manfield's views, and this video is a dialogue, rather than an endorsement of his perspectives. Likewise, The Dissociative Table does not endorse the views of its hosts, nor do any professional organizations to which the host or guest might belong.

Dr. Manfield is the author or editor of five books on psychotherapy, an international EMDRIA-Approved EMDR trainer, and creator of The Flash Technique. A more detailed bio is contained in the first episode of this series. His websites are www.flashtechnique.com, and www.emdrvideo.com.

The music in this episode is taken from the song "Temple of Zaum," from Cracked Machine's album Gates of Keras. The band has generously donated rights to their music in support of increased global access to effective trauma treatment. https://crackedmachine.bandcamp.com

This episode, titled "The Great Taboo: The role of literature and myth in understanding complex trauma," features the second part of a conversation with NPD expert, author, and clinician Wendy Behary. One of today's most influential figures in the Schema Therapy world, she specializes in the treatment of covert narcissism. This segment unexpectedly evolved into a discussion of psychodynamic esoterica often eschewed or outright rejected by the trauma therapy world. A dangerous episode, certain to be loved or hated!

Highlights include:

-The host's conceptualization of certain resentful fight parts as resembling the Faust archetype, and Ms. Behary's comparison of this to the "super-suffering" covert NPD presentation

-The function of this phenomenon in covert NPD as an avoidance of accepting personal responsibility for flaws, given a childhood in which this was unacceptable

-The perpetrator as as an abused child's only model for power, seen through the lens of Goethe's interpretation of Mephistopheles

-Janet's concept of the "substitute action" in thwarted defense systems as it may apply to a Schema understanding of simultaneous loyalty to and hatred of an abusive caregiver.

-"Ego-states" as possibly analogous to "Schema Modes"

-Differentiation of the cases of traumatized clients with an NPD presentation, and traumatized clients with "NPD" dissociative parts; possible treatment in microcosm

-Practical advice for therapists dealing with NPD clients who are both tragic victims, and victimizers: countertransference, boundaries, confrontation as compassion, and self-care

And finally,

-A brief argument by the host for the validity of studying and treating complex trauma through the lens of archetypes common to world literature and mythology

In future (as in past) episodes, guests will offer counterpoints to Ms. Behary's views, and this video is a dialogue, rather than an endorsement of her perspectives. Likewise, The Dissociative Table does not endorse the views of its hosts, nor do any professional organizations to which the host or guest might belong.

Ms. Behary is the Founder and Director of the Cognitive Therapy Center of New Jersey, and the Schema Therapy Institutes of New York City, DC, and New Jersey. She is a founding Fellow and consulting supervisor for the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. She served as President of the Executive Board of the International Society for Schema Therapy (ISST) from 2010-2014, and now sits on the ISST's Training and Advisory Board. She is the author of or contributor to 14 publications, and her book "Disarming the Narcissist" has been translated into 16 languages.

The music in this episode is taken from the song "Kirimu," from Cracked Machine's album Call of the Void. The band has generously donated rights to their music in support of increased global access to effective trauma treatment. https://crackedmachine.bandcamp.com/

In this episode, titled "The N.E.S.T. Model: Treating the "N" in complex trauma (Neuroaffective)" Dr. Sandra Paulsen, who played a (the?) major role in taking the EMDR world into the field of treating complex traumatic dissociation, speaks about her integrative treatment model. This episode will be of great interest to any frustrated therapist! See below for an index of topics covered.

Dr. Paulsen's work, besides being most EMDR therapists' first step in treating complex trauma, includes dozens of published scientific articles and host of books and book chapters. She has hosted a large number online trainings integrating Ego-State Therapy, attachment theory, and the work of Jaak Panksepp, uniquely having one foot in neuroscience and one foot in more esoteric aspects of treatment. Many trainings are available on www.sfrankelgroup.com. Her most popular works provide accessible training to beginning clinicians, and her reputation as a "cartooning psychologist" comes from these. A more complete bio is available on her website, www.paulsenpsychology.com, where you can also purchase her most popular books. She also is active on social media--and for her cartoons, on Etsy as well! (sandrapaulsenphdart.etsy.com)

Some major topics covered are:

-Dealing with complex trauma through the lens of

-The relevance of Structural Dissociation theory to even the

-The critical nature of dealing with perpetrator introjects

-"Temporal integration" as a gentler method (working forward rather than backward) -Limitations of standard, unmodified approaches, with special attention to locating early trauma that blocks treatment of later trauma

-Symptoms as a "shrine" to the neglectful or abusive caregiver

-Imagination as the major tool for accessing early trauma

 -The tragedy of the "foster care to prison pipeline"

In future and previous episodes, guests offer counterpoints to these views, and this video is intended to present rather than endorse Dr. Paulsen's perspectives. The host has a connection to Dr. Paulsen through EMDRIA membership and the EMDR Institute, and likewise, The Dissociative Table does not specifically endorse the views of the host.

The music used in this episode is taken from the song "Vritra," from the album Call of the Void, by the band Cracked Machine. The band has generously donated rights to their music in support of increased global access to effective trauma therapy.

In this episode, titled "A Flash of Insight: Innovative approaches for unusual or highly dissociative presentations," internationally acclaimed trauma therapist, author, and instructor Dr. Phil Manfield addresses the following topics:

This episode, titled "Covert Narcissism as a Development of the 'Child's Unheard Story' in Complex Trauma," features the first part of an interdisciplinary dialogue with NPD expert, author, and clinician Wendy Behary. One of today's most influential figures in the Schema Therapy world, she specializes in the treatment of covert narcissism. In this episode, the following topics are prominent:

In future episodes, guests will offer counterpoints to these views, and this video is intended to present rather than endorse Dr. Manfield's perspectives. The host has a connection to Dr. Manfield through EMDRIA membership and some shared modalities, and likewise, The Dissociative Table does not specifically endorse the views of the host.

Dr. Manfield is the author or editor of five books on psychotherapy, an international EMDRIA-Approved EMDR trainer, creator of The Flash Technique. His websites are www.flashtechnique.com, and www.emdrvideo.com.

The music used in this episode is taken from the song, "The Wood Demon," from the album Gates of Keras, by the band Cracked Machine. The band has generously donated rights to their music in support of increased global access to effective trauma therapy.