The Handbook of Complex Trauma and Dissociation in Children Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications
Edited By Ana M. Gómez, Jillian Hosey
Copyright 2025
The Handbook of Complex Trauma and Dissociation in Children: Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications is a comprehensive and truly vital text for both experienced professionals and novice clinicians alike. In these pages, dozens of experts and pioneers thoroughly cover the complex nuances of theory, assessment, research, and clinical practice. Specific sections cover etiology, neurobiology, and various theoretical and conceptual models for working with the complexities of cumulative and chronic traumatization in childhood.
Additional sections cover standardized and non-standardized assessment and diagnostic tools, as well as the formulation and organization of the clinical interview with children and caregivers. Other chapters provide systematic and comprehensive reviews of current treatment modalities and effective approaches for treating children with complex trauma and dissociation across different stages of early development. The book’s co-editors bookend the volume with thorough explorations of the nuanced and multifaceted issues impacting children with complex trauma and dissociative symptoms and features.
Table of Contents (Chapter 31 written by Ana Gomez and Marshall Lyles)
1. Setting the Stage: An Introduction to Child Complez Trauma and Dissociation
Ana M. Gomez, MC, LPC & Jillian Hosey, MSW, RSW, LICSW
Part 1: Theory, Conceptual Models, and Neurobiology in Children with Complex Trauma and Dissociation
2. Epidemiology of Dissociation in Children
Colin A. Ross, MD
3. The Discrete Behavioral States/States of Being Model
John Lovern, PhD
4. Traumatic Attachment: Clinicial Reasoning for Attachment Trauma
Benedetto Farina, MD & Adriano Schimmenti, PhD
5. Affect Regulation, Attachment, and the Developing Social Brain: Implications for Assessment & Treatment of Dissociative Disorders
Richard M. Cross, UKCP
6. Structural Dissociation: Developmental Pathways and Treatment Implications
Kathy Steele, MN, CS
7. The Autohypnotic Model of Dissociation
D. Michael Coy, MA, LICSW
8. Knowledge Isolation, Protective Adaptation, and Long-Term Impacts: Betrayal Trauma Theory's Contribution to Our Understanding of Complex Trauma and Dissociation in Childhood
Laura K. Noll, PhD
9. Interpersonal Neurobiology
Robyn Gobbel, LMSW
10. Polyvagal Theory and The Autonomic Nervous System
George S. Thompson, MD
11. The Innate Connection System and Sensory-Affective Orienting: Relevance to Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR)
Jessica Christie-Sands, PhD, CPsychol., CSci., AFBPsS and Frank Corrigan, MD, FRCPsych
Part 2: Symptomatology, Assessment, & Diagnosis in Children with Complex Trauma and Dissociation
12. Symptomatology in Children with Complex Trauma and Dissociation
Betsy de Thierry, MA
13. Considerations in Screening, Assesment, and Clinical Interviewing
Alexis Arbuthnott, PhD, RD Psych., Billie Jo Bennet, MSW, RSW, Jillian Hosey, MSW, RSW, LICSW and Patti van Eys, PhD
14. Differential and Co-occuring Diagnoses, Neurodivergence, & the Complexity of Dissociative Features in Children
Patti van Eys, PhD and Alexis Arbuthnott, PhD, RD Psych
15. Working Considerations in Building the Road Map to Treatment: Case Conceptualization, Treatment Guidelines, and Treatment Planning
Jillian Hosey, MSW, RSW, LICSW
16. Clinical Applications of the Star Theoretical Model
Frances S. Waters, DCSW, LMSW, LMFT
Part 3: Treatment Modalities in Child Complex Trauma and Dissociation
17. Trauma-informed child psychoanalytic psychotherapy
Valerie Sinason, PhD., PGTC, MACP
18. Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy
Kim S. Golding, PsyD
19. The Attachment Video-Feedback Intervention (AVI): Reducing Dysregulated Parental Behavior, Attachment Disorganization and Dissociation
Valérie Langlois, PhD/PsyD., Gabrielle Myre PhD/PsyD (C) & Chantal Cyr, PhD
20. A Multimodal-Integrative Approach to EMDR Therapy
Ana M. Gomez, MC, LPC
21. Psycho-Sensory Intervention®: An Occupational Therapy Approach
Kim Barthel, BMR, OTR
22. A Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Perspective on Family Interventions
Bonnie Goldstein, PhD, Ed.M., LCSW
23. Somatic Experiencing
Maggie Kline, LMFT
24. Clinical Neurofeedback
Anna K. Morrell, MA, LMHC, BCN
25. Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Not Just for Acute Trauma Anymore!
Matthew D. Kliethermes, PhD
26. Animal-Assisted Therapy
Michael Remole, MA, LCPC, NCC
27. Child-Centered Play Therapy
Kristi L. Perryman, PhD, LPC, RPT-S
28. TraumaPlay: An Integrative Play Therapy Model for Children with Complex Trauma
Paris Goodyear-Brown, LCSW, RPT-S & Eleah Hyatt, LMFT, RPT-S
29. Theraplay and Parts Work for Treating Children with Trauma and Dissociation
Karen Andor, BA, BA (hons), B.Ed. (hons), MEd & Dafna Lender, LCSW
30. A Synergetic Play Therapy Approach
Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S
31. An Integrative and Phase-Oriented Approach to Sandtray Therapy
Ana M. Gomez, MC, LPC & Marshall Lyles, LPC-S, LMFT-S, RPT-S
32. Art Therapy for Developmental Trauma and Dissociation with Children
Elizabeth Davis, MFA, MS, LCAT, ATR-BC
Part 4: Important Considerations in the Treatment of Children with Complex Trauma and Dissociation
33. The Therapeutic Relationship
Jillian Hosey, MSW, RSW, LICSW & Eva Teirstein Young, MFA, MPS, ATR-BC, LCAT
34. Boundaries and Ethics
David S. Prescott, LICSW
35. Sociocultural Determinants, Anti-Oppresive and Culturally Responsive Practices
LaKaavia Taylor, PhD, LPC, NCC, RPT & Krystal K. Turner, M.A., LPC-Associate, NCC
36. Prenatal Reform: Complex Trauma, Dissociation, and Bonding with the Calming Womb Model
Rosita Cortizo, PsyD, MFT, MA
37. Fractured Bonds: Healing Trauma in the Caregiving System
Maria Zaccagnino, PhD, Martina Cussino, PhD & Civilotti Cristina, PhD
38. Intersecting Timelines: Generational Perspectives
Rebeca Chow, PhD, LPC, LCPC, RPT-S
39. Shame and Guilt
Paula Moreno, LCP, Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Sandra Baita, LCP, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
40. The Trauma-Formed Defense and Self-Protective System
Ana M. Gomez, MC, LPC
41. Self-Harm and Suicidality in Children with Complex Trauma and Dissociation
Alexis Arbuthnott, PhD
42. Complex Trauma and Dissociation in the Face of Ongoing Stress and Trauma: Child Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Safa Kemal Kaptan, PhD, Betül Yilmaz, MSc, Tania Bosqui, PhD & Trudy Mooren, PhD
43. Listening to the Body Speak: Conversion Issues and Functional Neurological Symptoms
Nicole Black, PhD, LPC-S, LCDC, RPT
44. Chronic Pain, Medical Issues, and Complicated Clinical Presentations in Children With Complex Trauma and Dissociation
Christine C. Forner, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW
45. "Mind Control" in Ritualistic and Other Extreme and Dissociation-Savvy Abuse
Ellen Lacter, Ph.D.
46. Psychiatry and Pharmacology in the Treatment of Children and Youth with Complex Trauma and Dissociation
Darren Bingham, MD, MRC Psych., Helen Milroy, MBBS, RANZCP, CATCAP, Guilia Pace, MD, RANZCP, Pradeep Rao, MBBS, MD, FRC Psych., FRANZCP, CCT & Alix Woolard, PhD
47. Conclusion
Jillian Hosey, MSW, RSW, LICSW & Ana M. Gomez, MC, LPC