The 2025 ISSTD Annual Conference, “From Invisible to Visible: Research, Clinical, & Cultural Evolutions in the Field of Complex Trauma & Dissociation,” is featuring a stellar line up of must-see plenary presenters. Keep reading to get an introductory flavor of legendary plenary speakers for the 42nd Annual Conference. Early bird registration ends January 15, 2025, so be sure to register today!
On Saturday, March 15, 2025, Judith L. Herman, MD, will present, “Truth & Repair: How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice.” Creator of the concepts of complex trauma and complex PTSD, Judith’s long, illustrious career has centered the voices of women who have experienced gender-based violence. Such complex trauma seldom results in negative consequences for those who perpetrate it. In her plenary, Judith highlights survivors’ perspectives on what justice and resolution would look like for them. From truth-telling to prevention, Judith’s plenary will illuminate survivor-centered avenues for a restorative, as opposed to destructive, aftermath of trauma. As such, attendees will be able to discuss the rules of dominance and subordination, describe the methods of coercive control, explain the rules of mutuality, discuss the importance of bystanders to survivors, and finally, name three important principles of justice from the perspectives of survivors.
On Saturday, March 15, 2025, Thema Bryant, PhD, will present, “Applying Liberation Psychology to Trauma Recovery.” Former President of the American Psychological Association (2023), Thema is a womanist and multicultural feminist trauma psychologist and trauma survivor who has dedicated her career to exploring avenues of restoration and healing. These avenues go beyond traditional individualistic approaches in favor of holistic healing that promotes individual and collective empowerment. In her plenary, Thema will center decolonial and liberation psychologies in order to illuminate diverse culturally-grounded, socio-political pathways for healing. These healing pathways have implications for the trauma recovery process, as well as how trauma is understood in training, research, clinical practice, and policy. From Thema’s plenary, attendees will be able to describe liberation psychology and decolonial psychology, critique gaps in traditional trauma psychology, describe three healing pathways for trauma survivors that align with liberation and decolonial psychology, and identify therapeutic implications for trauma-informed care from the perspective of liberation psychology.
On Monday, March 17, 2025, David Spiegel, MD, will present, “Tranceformation: Hypnosis, Dissociation, & Trauma.” Member of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, David’s clinical and research contributions have spanned hypnosis, psychosocial oncology, stress physiology, trauma, and psychotherapy. Hypnosis involves multiple aspects, including those related to attention, dissociation, cognitive flexibility, and perception. Despite being the first known Western form of psychotherapy, hypnosis remains underutilized. In his plenary, David will present research on the neural basis of hypnosis and its salience to trauma, as well as detail hypnotic techniques for treating trauma-related disorders, including PTSD. From his plenary, attendees will be able to discuss the nature of hypnosis, detail the brain bases for both hypnosis and dissociation, describe how hypnosis can treat traumatic dissociation, and analyze evidence of hypnosis’ efficacy in treating traumatic dissociation.
Plan your schedule, and register for the 2025 ISSTD Annual Conference now, so you don’t miss out on this year’s plentiful plenary speakers! The early bird deadline for registration is January 15, 2025! Please email ISSTD staff at cfas@isst-d.org if you have any questions. We are looking forward to you joining us in Boston!