Traumatic Bonding and Intergenerational Trauma

This course will focus on the areas of practice including traumatic bonding and intergenerational trauma. The traumatic bonding portion will focus on treating clients who compulsively get into relationships where they are exploited, abused, or taken advantage of in some way. Specific context will be given to relationships where domestic violence, gaslighting, or chronic infidelity is present. This course will explore the related components of attachment, neurobiology, and addictions that can interact with traumatic bonding. A review of epigenetic research will be conducted to provide context for intergenerational trauma and its relevance to therapy. The instructor will provide case examples for traumatic bonding and intergenerational trauma along with specific interventions to be used that are appropriate for individual and group therapy. This course will discuss ways to treat trauma within the scope of these two areas along with a discussion related to collective intergenerational trauma that focuses on racism and classism. Special attention will be given to experiential treatment methods.

Program Objectives:

1. Define traumatic bonding and intergenerational trauma with case examples
2. Discuss the relevant neuroscience and attachment research related to each area
3. Provide a treatment overview and specific therapeutic interventions for each practice area

This course is approved by the KY Board of Social Work, KY Alcohol and Drug Counselers, and KY Licensed Professional Counselor Board

Course Information

Course Instructor

Michael Eiden Author

Mike Eiden is a licensed clinical social worker, licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor, board certified sex therapist, and certified sex addiction therapist who is a graduate of the University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work. Mike has worked in mental health and substance abuse treatment for the past 12 years in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Mike is currently a PhD candidate & his dissertation is focused on educating parents to improve their abilities to address internet addiction in their children. Mike works full-time in private practice, specializing in cases of traumatic bonding, process addictions, and complex trauma. He also facilitates professional CEU trainings on screen addiction, trauma treatment, and sexual addiction, while educating parents, teachers, and school administrators about internet addiction.