The Center for Advanced Studies (CFAS) is a creative, thriving, and essential part of ISSTD that encompasses many facets of our shared mission. Its origin can be traced to the pioneers in our field, all of whom were committed to clinical work, teaching, and research. We struggled in those early days to find firm footing in the field of traumatology, both trying to grasp the complexity of trauma, and to find acceptance for dissociation in the field. In 1980, both Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Multiple Personality Disorder were accepted as official diagnoses in the DSM-III. An annual conference was held starting in the 1980s. Throughout the next decades, we continued growing as a society, always with a commitment to clinical research and education. In the mid-1990s, the Board of Directors explored certification, but rapidly realized that we had to better define this growing body of knowledge, which had become a clinical science. In 2000, an educational component—the Professional Training Program—was created. (And much work has gone into updating the curricula over the years!)
In 2009, spearheaded by Paul Dell and with many contributors, ISSTD’s “Core Areas of Knowledge” were created to better delineate our field. In 2011, the ISSTD’s Board of Directors authorized a Task Force to design a certificate program in complex trauma and dissociation. The Task Force (consisting of Paul Dell, Lynette Danylchuk, Phil Kinsler, Joan Golston, and I) met for 3 days in Utah with the goal of creating a training program building on expertise in the field of complex trauma and dissociation. Many hours were spent on reviewing the core areas and the implementation into our “delivery systems” (the Professional Training Program, annual conference, regional seminars, and webinars). An overarching structure—the Center for Advanced Studies—and a certificate program were born! In 2013, at a meeting in New Haven with 50 top traumatologists in the country, we had an opportunity to present our work; it was well received and over time it was integrated into many clinical guidelines.
Since 2011, CFAS has grown in depth and breadth. It has more than fulfilled its promise as a major component of ISSTD and contribution to the field of traumatology. More educational opportunities have been offered each year. And now the Board of Directors has established a new educational task force to review and expand CFAS into contemporary areas including a new look at certification within current ethical/legal guidelines. We will continue to strive for clinical and scientific excellence!
Joan A. Turkus, M.D.