Video Recording: The HEART Model: Treating Dissociative Disorders

* This is a video recording of a continuing education session held on January 10, 2025.

Check with your local licensing board to confirm continuing education compliance.

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Description:

The HEART Model was designed over 20 years of research and study working with survivors of complex sexual trauma. Over the last 18 years, these techniques and issues have been applied to working with survivors of sexual trauma, refugees, and survivors of human trafficking. The methodology is a ten-stage process that embraces secular techniques and best practice methodologies such as Exposure Therapy, EMDR, Somatic Work, etc. The process also works with the faith-base of the client (not the therapist's). Recent research has shown a significant improvement in client outcomes when faith is included and asked for by the client (Rosmarin 2007, 2018). The underpinnings of the techniques of the model are rooted in Gestalt and Solution-Focused Therapy. Discussion and spiritual integration with be active activities of this workshop with a focus on chairwork and resolving cognitive and spiritual distortions. Helping the client achieve homeostasis in resolving internal dissonance and coming to a place of confluence will be discussed along with establishing a solid connection with God will be a particular focus. This Model, though written from a Judean-Christian perspective, has been successfully modified with Islamic, Buddhist, and Jewish populations. A brief look at the underlying 7-year research study with human trafficking survivors will be reviewed along with the significantly positive results showing decreases in all symptoms of PTSD, dissociation, depression, anxiety, and significant increases in personal self-esteem, positive self image and a positive increase in God image. Please join the workshop and be a part of the discussion while learning the methodology of this model for treatment of dissociative disorders, PTSD, sexual trauma, and other disorders.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to integrate a spiritual trauma model with standard practices of care in individual or treatment programs as based on current research.

2. Participants will be able to apply the chairwork technique with clients they are currently working with.

3. Participants will to able to apply spiritual integration with psychological practices applied to the Dissociative Continuum.

4. Participants will be able to gain a working knowledge of the HEART Model and be able to synthesize and utilize both the secular part of the model and to also use faith-based applications.

5. Participants will be able to facilitate and apply Gestalt theory and the use of the empty-chair technique to connect with clients internal beliefs and connect with God in a context that by-passes theology, polity, and denominationalism.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Benjamin Keyes’ specialties include dissociative disorders, domestic violence, child abuse, addictions, and mood and anxiety disorders, human trafficking and work with refugees. Dr. Keyes received his BA in Psychology and his Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of South Florida in 1969 and 1978, respectively; a Doctorate in Rehabilitation Counseling in 1985 from International College and his most recent in Counseling Psychology from the University of Sarasota in 2003. He also has Doctoral Degrees in Theology, Divinity and Ministry. Over the years, Dr. Keyes has worked extensively with hospitalization programs, private practice, and has established himself as one of the leading program innovators for partial hospitalization programs. Dr. Keyes has been in Private Practice for over forty years and has been a researcher in the area of Trauma and Dissociation for the last 26 years. Dr. Keyes and his colleagues have received the Richard A. Kluft Research Award for work and research in the People’s Republic of China from the Journal of Trauma and Dissociation and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. His work dispelled the Cultural Model of Dissociation and has resulted in Dissociative Disorders being treated throughout mental health facilities in China. Dr. Keyes has also received The Hope Award from Restoration Ministries for his work in establishing the HEART Model, a faith-based trauma model for working with Trafficked Survivors and complex trauma. Over the last nine years, Dr. Keyes has been a Professor and Director for the Center for Trauma and Resiliency Studies at Divine Mercy University in Sterling, Virginia. As head of the Center for Trauma and Resiliency Studies, Dr. Keyes supervised the development and training of graduate students in First Response and Chronic Trauma. Dr. Keyes also serves the University as a Clinical Mental Health Program professor. The Center’s Trauma Team will deploy to traumatic events worldwide as needed, train professionals and paraprofessionals, and do research on the HEART Model and its efficacy with trafficking survivors. The book, The HEART Model ( Keyes, 2023) is a 20-year project coming to fruition, following a 7-year study showing its effectiveness with PTSD and Dissociative Disorders. Dr. Keyes is also the Executive Director of The Green Cross Academy for Traumatology. He is happily married to Kim, has two adult children Shawn and Jasmin, and an adopted 10-year-old son, Garite, three beautiful granddaughters Violet, Amber, and Arella, and a Grandson, Xander.

Host or Publisher CentrePointe Counseling, Inc.