Guest Speakers

2015 Trauma and Dissociation Conference speakers

COLIN A. ROSS, M.D.

Dr. Ross is an internationally renowned clinician, researcher, author, and lecturer in the field of trauma-related disorders. He is the Founder and President of the Colin A. Ross Institute for Psychological Trauma. Dr. Ross is the Executive Medical Director of three trauma programs located at Timberlawn Mental Health System in Dallas, Texas; Forest View Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Del Amo Hospital in Torrance, California. Dr. Ross provides treatment for patients with trauma related disorders and symptoms. This would include treatment for: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Dissociative Disorders; Borderline Personality Disorder; Addictive Disorder; Anxiety Disorders; Depression, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The symptoms treated and the admission criteria are: suicidal ideation; homicidal ideation; self-destructive behaviors; addictive behaviors, and inability to function. Dr. Ross has written extensively on the subject of dissociation and trauma. His latest book is, Trauma Model Therapy: A Treatment Approach for Trauma Dissociation and Complex Comorbidity. Other books by Dr. Ross include: The Trauma Model: A Solution to the Problem of Comorbidity in Psychiatry; and Schizophrenia: Innovations in Diagnosis and Treatment. Dr Ross’ books are available through his web site at www.rossinst.com, at www.amazon.com and at area bookstores. Dr. Ross has authored 170 professional papers and 27 books. He has reviewed for numerous professional journals, is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and is a Past President of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. In addition, Dr. Ross has served as an expert witness in over 50 court cases, consulted on television, movie, and video productions on trauma-related disorders. Dr. Ross has also produced six educational videos and CD’s for mental health professionals on the treatment of trauma-based disorders.

RICHARD LOEWENSTEIN, M.D.

Dr. Richard J. Loewenstein is a Nationally and Internationally known Senior Psychiatrist and the Founder and Medical Director of the Trauma Disorders Program. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to research and clinical studies of trauma and dissociation. Dr. Loewenstein is Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.

A. STEVEN FRANKEL, PH.D., J.D.

Steve Frankel is Board Certified Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and an Attorney at Law, who practices both professions in San Francisco’s East Bay. A past Director of Clinical Training and current Clinical Prof. of Psychology at USC, he began recognizing childhood trauma in his adult patient case-load in 1980 and has specialized in working with that population ever since. He joined the Int’l. Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation in the 1990s and was the consultant to the Trauma Program at Del Amo Hospital from 1993 until 2001. He was President of the ISSTD in 2002 and has been active in developing and teaching courses in trauma treatment as well as publishing chapters in books and professional journals in the trauma field.

LAURA S. BROWN, PH.D

Laura S. Brown is a clinical and forensic psychologist in independent practice in Seattle, Washington. A writer and speaker on feminist therapy theory and practice, she offers workshops and trainings to professionals and the public on such topics as trauma treatment, cultural competence, psychological assessment, and ethics. She is also the founder and Director of the Fremont Community Therapy Project, a low-fee psychotherapy training clinic in Seattle.

 ROBIN SHAPIRO, LICSW

I’ve been doing psychotherapy in Seattle since 1981. I’m a synthesizer and interpreter of therapy techniques. I don’t believe that any one method holds the key to every problem. Important tools and perspectives in my work include EMDR; Hypnotherapy; Cognitive Behavioral; Narrative; Object Relations; Differentiation-based couple work, and Affect and Body-oriented therapies. My work week includes three days of private practice with individual and couples and one day of consultation to other therapists. The rest of the time I’m reading, writing, walking, or hanging out with my husband, Doug Plummer, Author: Trauma Treatments Handbook, Protocols Across the Spectrum. (Norton, 2010) Editor, EMDR Solutions: Pathways to Healing (Norton, 2005) EMDR Solutions II: Depression, Eating Disorders, Performance and More (Norton, 2009). Board of Directors of EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program.

THOMAS G. CARLTON, M.D.

Thomas G. Carlton, M.D. is a psychiatrist, clinician and teacher. He is a fellow of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSTD), and a former Treasurer and Past President of ISSTD. Dr. Carlton has presented at ISSTD conferences, and has taught for the ISSTD Professional Training Program at standard and advanced levels for about 15 years.

Dr. Carlton spent the first half of his professional career as a US Navy psychiatrist, treating military personnel and their families. On retiring from the Navy, he entered solo private practice, with a focus on trauma-related disorders.
For eight years, he was the Medical Director of the Center for Emotional Trauma Recovery at Lake Chelan, an acute inpatient unit for dissociative disorders and other disorders related to complex trauma. Since leaving Chelan, Dr. Carlton has worked for two managed care companies, trained military Family Medicine Residents in the aspects of behavioral health care that people bring to their personal physician, and worked as a clinician in a Naval Hospital serving US Marines and their families.
Dr. Carlton is board certified in both psychiatry and addiction medicine. He currently resides in San Diego, CA.

JOAN C. GOLSTON, DCSW, LICSW

Joan C. Golston, DCSW, LICSW, is a therapist, supervisor and clinical and forensic consultant in private practice in Seattle, Washington. She has been Chair of the NASW Washington Chapter Ethics Committee for some 15 years, was honored as the Chapter’s 2006 Social Worker of the Year, and is a Fellow and Director of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISST-D). She is a co-author of the recently published Guidelines for Treating Dissociative Identity Disorder in Adults, 3rd revision. Joan teaches ISST-D international courses on the psychotherapy of the dissociative disorders, and has served as a consultant in a number of legal cases regarding ethics and professional standards. In November, she will present a pre-conference institute on “Ethics in the Treatment of Trauma” in Montreal. Joan is a warm and engaging speaker who has presented over a hundred professional lectures and workshops, and earned a reputation as a teacher who makes complex topics easily comprehensible and even entertaining.

ALISON MILLER, PH.D.

Dr. Alison Miller is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. She worked for many years in child and youth mental health services, treating children and families. She is the original developer of the Living in Families Effectively (LIFE) Seminars (www.lifeseminars.com), and has co-authored two books on parenting with Dr Allison Rees. Since 1991, Dr Miller has been treating and learning from persons with dissociative disorders, in particular survivors of ritual abuse and mind control, and has developed a protocol for effective treatment.

LYNN CROOK, M.Ed.

Lynn Crook was a therapist when she recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse. Since her successful lawsuit, she’s been investigating false memory claims. She presented her findings in the U.S., England, and at the United Nations. She joined a comedy improv group to handle any hecklers that might show up. They didn’t. Lynn is an editor emeritus of Treating Abuse Today, and is writing a book she’s currently calling “An Inconvenient Crime.”

MARY KNIGHT,Writer,Filmmaker

After working as a social worker for over 20 years, Mary Knight started a new career as a full time filmmaker and writer. She is a survivor of incest, child pornography, child prostitution, and other ritualistic child abuse. The first scene of her feature film can be seen at www.SisterMarysAngel.com. Her fifteen minute film about her first marriage is available to interested domestic violence agencies and individuals at www.OneMansAnger.com.

JODI HOBBS, MBA
President, SIA

Jodi Hobbs has a BA in IT and an MBA. Working in the technology industry for over 15 years she has helped many for profit and non profit organizations with their technical needs. Jodi has a successful tech based business. She is a survivor of Victory Christian Academy, a youth treatment facility that once operated in Ramona, CA. VCA was closed after scathing accusations of abuse were leveled against the proprietor. Mrs. Hobbs formed Survivors of Institutional Abuse (SIA) to help those affected by abusive treatment in behavioral modification type programs. “SIA is about healing and leading a positive, peaceful and healthy life. Anything we can do to assist in getting a survivor on positive path.”

RACHEL ELISE, Multi-Media Artist

Rachel Elise is a professional artist, musician and poet. She uses the expressive arts to educate the public about complex trauma, dissociation, organized abuse, and mind control. Her work is used by therapists to learn more about the internal experience of dissociation from the point of view of someone who lives with and is healing from DID. Website: www.rachelelise.org

LANI KENT, Therapeutic Arts Facilitator

Lani Kent is a Therapeutic Arts Facilitator; Speaker; Writer, and Artist /Owner of “Healing Expressions”. She has a compassionate heart for survivors of traumatic life experiences. For over ten years has offered adjunct expressive arts services, client support, consultation to therapeutic professionals, recovery groups, and clients, through “Restorative Creativity” individual and group workshops. Lani has in depth knowledge of the dissociative process as expressed through art, presents at conferences on these topics, and offers “Healing Expressions” vendor exhibits. She is passionate about sharing an authentic expression of the recovery journey in the hopes that others will find the courage to share their own stories and find a voice for the wounded places within.
Website: www.healingexpressionsbylani.com

AMY A. SOTO

My education is in nursing and finances though my passion has always advocating for more education, awareness and ending the stigma for those who have experienced past childhood trauma. I first became aware of a problem within the mental and medical health community when I was working as a nurse. Many adult survivors of abuse were not receiving appropriate care and respect. That’s when I began researching and speaking on the topic at colleges and other agencies.  I am now a facilitator of the California Creative Progress Group, member of Each Mind Matters and Peer Recovery Art Project. As a professional artist, poet and public speaker I enjoy sharing my work with others and spending time with my family.  I’ve been a member of Ivory Garden for ten years.

LB LEE, BA

LB has been creating educational comics on the subject since 2008.  Their work is used by therapists and clinics in Texas, Massachusetts, and Ohio. It has also been used by multiples and laymen in the US, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Sweden, and the UK.  They have done presentations on comics, mental health, and multiplicity at the Massachusetts Indy Comics Expo in 2012 and the Ephemera Zine Fest in 2014.  They have also been educating one-on-one since 2007.  During their workshop, survivors will learn new coping skills allowing them to help themselves and others.  Supporters and clinicians will learn new skills to teach their multiple clients and friends and gain a better understanding of multiplicity.

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