The Launch, the Journey, and the Destination - From past to Present, & Dreamstorming the Future

Abstract
This panel will cover the history of our organization and our growth inunderstanding and treating dissociation. We will look at the progress of research in this field and track how the field is expanding to include an embodied, holistic perspective on trauma and recovery that includes the context of historical trauma and social power dynamics. Finally, we'll invite the audience to 'dreamstorm' with us, visualize an ideal future, so we can start building towards it.

Lynette Danylchuk will cover the history of the study of dissociation, the beginning of ISSTD, the emergence of dissociation as a field of study and increasing therapeutic skill, and the continued challenges to train professionals to deal effectively with trauma and dissociation.

Bethany Brand will provide a synopsis of dissociation research, from early clinical case descriptions to quantitative research documenting symptoms and correlates of dissociation and dissociative disorders, followed by the development of theory-based research, cross-sectional, and longitudinal naturalistic treatment studies. Current research focuses primarily on neurobiological mechanisms using advanced neuroimaging techniques, trauma-dissociation relationships across development, and validation of theoretical models, assessment tools, and diagnostic criteria. The field’s first randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence for stabilization treatment, marks a significant milestone in establishing evidence-based interventions for dissociative disorders. Dr. Brand will discuss major research gaps that persist and her dreams about where research is needed.

Lisa Danylchuk will speak to the evolution of trauma-informed care to include present moment embodiment and mindfulness practices that are dignity-affirming, shame-sensitive and attachment-informed. Research and clinical experience point to the value of the therapeutic relationship, and neuroscience continues to offer us insights into the impacts of trauma on the brain and body. As clinicians literally sit with these impacts of trauma, we find that movement can also be a part of healing, and that we can incorporate it into our work in a way that supports both patient and provider.

Jennifer M. Gómez will provide a past to present to future odyssey rooted in Freyd’s legacy of betrayal trauma. Freyd’s theoretical basis for betrayal trauma theory emerged in the context of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation. She will describe her present theoretical and empirical research of cultural betrayal trauma theory (CBTT; Gómez & Gobin, 2024), which extends betrayal trauma theory into the sociocultural context of inequality. Gómez will detail how the betrayal literature has arisen to the level of systems change via institutional courage (Freyd & Smidt, 2019), with concrete strategies for creating organizations of justice that promote both trauma prevention and healing. Gómez will close with dreamstorming: a framework for envisioning a world of pure peace and true equality.

Conclusions
As we dreamstorm a better world in which complex trauma does not exist and dissociation is not necessary, the panel will identify large and

small steps for moving closer to such a world through discussion: If the world were equal and peaceful: What would that be like? What would have to be present? What would need to be absent? How Do We Get To That Dreamstormed World?