Reframing Dissociation in Kids: From Rare Symptom to Everyday Reality
- Speaker:
- Jennifer Hughes, PhD
- Duration:
- 1 Hour 30 Minutes
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- Copyright:
-
Apr 24, 2026
- Product Code:
- POS150676
- Media Type:
- Digital Seminar
Description
Many clinicians think dissociation in children is rare and tied only to extreme trauma – but it’s actually common, adaptive, and shows up in everyday clinical work. Misunderstanding it can leave kids mislabeled, ashamed, and unsupported. This session gives practical, evidence-informed strategies to recognize, normalize, and address dissociation across all developmental stages.
Key takeaways:
- See dissociation everywhere – from subtle attention shifts to full depersonalization – and finally make sense of it
- Use the Window of Tolerance to explain dissociation clearly to clients, families, and schools
- Concrete interventions tailored to each developmental stage that actually work in real-world settings
- Reduce shame, build resilience, and create systems of support that stick
Credit
Speaker
Jennifer Hughes, PhD Related seminars and products
Jenny Hughes, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience specializing in trauma and dissociation. She began her career focusing on childhood trauma in her doctoral program at UC Santa Barbara and infant mental health during her pre- and post-doctoral training at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, where she developed expertise in recognizing dissociation across developmental stages. Dr. Hughes has provided direct treatment to children and families, supervised psychology interns working with pediatric trauma cases, and trained clinicians nationwide to identify and respond to dissociation in kids and teens.
She is trained in evidence-based approaches including TF-CBT, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, EMDR, Circle of Security, and Brainspotting, and is known for translating these methods into practical, developmentally appropriate tools. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Hughes is an Assistant Professor at LSUHSC and UTHealth, founder of The Brave Trauma Therapist Collective, and author of The PTSD Recovery Workbook and Triggers to Glimmers: A Vicarious Resilience Journal and Workbook.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Jennifer Hughes is the founder of BRAVE Providers, LLC., and the BRAVE Trauma Therapist Collective. She has employment relationships with McGovern Medical School, Louisiana State University Health Center, and UTHealth Houston School of Behavioral Health. Jennifer Hughes receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Jennifer Hughes is a member of the American Psychological Association, Louisiana Psychological Association, Houston Psychological Association, and EMDR International Association.
Additional Info
Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)Access never expires for this product.
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Additional CE Info
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Objectives
- Differentiate dissociation as a spectrum of adaptive responses from common misdiagnoses such as ADHD or oppositional behavior in children and adolescents.
- Apply the Window of Tolerance framework to conceptualize and explain dissociation across developmental stages to clients, families, and school personnel.
- Demonstrate one evidence-informed intervention for each developmental stage (0-5, 6-10, 10-12, teens) to reduce shame and support regulation.
Outline
Reframing Dissociation
- Dissociation as common and adaptive
- Reducing stigma and shame for kids and families
Window of Tolerance
- Hypo-hyperarousal spectrum as framework
- Simple language for kids, families, schools
Research Insights & Gaps
- Limited studies: adapted adult protocols
- Modalities explored (DBT, EMDR, mindfulness)
- Evidence gaps, risks, and limitations
Developmental Markers
- Early childhood: regression, freeze, withdrawal
- School age: daydreaming, inattentiveness, somatic complaints
- Teens: risky behaviors, identity confusion, self-harm
Practical Tools & Systems Support
- Skills tailored for each developmental stage
- Family and school strategies to reduce mislabeling
- Building systemic supports for regulation and safety
From Fear to Confidence
- Therapists equipped with clarity
- Families validated and supported
Target Audience
- Counselors
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Physicians
- Psychologists
- Social Workers
Reviews
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