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The Trauma Bond - Why Abused People Stay

Previously Recorded
Dr. Laura Spencer
$39.99

The “Trauma Bond” is one interpersonal mechanism through which an abusive or coercive individual exerts power over others. How a trauma bond works is complicated and difficult for those not involved in such relationships to understand (Dutton and Painter, 1981). What is clear is the development of the trauma bond is insidious and intricate – the formation of the patterns not only involve the two people in the relationship (or the family or group, if applicable) but the culture and society in which the individuals live and interact (Durvasula, 2024).

Trauma bonding, which is a relational trauma when the abuse or neglect occurs between a caregiver and child, is not only something that occurs in IPV but also in narcissistic abuse, cults, and abusive family relationships (Shaw, 2022). When someone becomes involved in this cycle the likelihood of this toxic dynamic awareness is low and has long-lasting effects (Shaw, 2022; Durvasula, 2024) similar to complex posttraumatic stress disorder. This course is an introduction to the Trauma Bond, how it affects the individual and what the clinician can do when confronted with this in practice.

About the Presenter

Dr. Laura Spencer is a Licensed Mental Health Clinician with over 20 years’ experience working in the behavioral health field. Dr. Spencer has worked with individuals, families and couples, navigating many types of difficulties, from serious emotional disturbances to typical life changes. In addition to clinical practice and supervision, Dr. Spencer has taught graduate level classes in Counseling and Psychology at SUNY at Buffalo and conducted research on what works in parenting.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Summarize an understanding of the term Trauma Bond
  2. Identify characteristics of the Trauma Bond
  3. Apply a few strategies to help those who have experienced the Trauma bond

Agenda:

Introduction to Course - 5 minutes

Definition and nuances of the trauma bond - 10 minutes

How the trauma bond "works" - 20 minutes

Individuals or personality types who create the trauma bond in a relationships - 20 minutes

Individuals who are vulnerable to the trauma bond - 20 minutes

Strategies to help those who have experienced a trauma bond - 30 minutes

Questions/Discussion - 10-15 minutes



This workshop offers 2 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live credits.

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: introductory
Level of Clinician: beginner
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0122.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0275.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0774.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.