Friday, July 10th, 2026
11:00 AM to 3:30 PM Eastern 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM Pacific CA/USA 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM London, UK 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM Madrid, Spain 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM Berlin, Germany 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM Helsinki, Finland
Live Online via Zoom
Video via Home Study
(1 YEAR access)
Psychologists, Social Workers, Psychotherapists, MFTs, LPCs, graduate-level Counselors, any other mental health professionals/providers.
100% online with 1 YEAR access:
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When Techniques Fail: Working with Psychological Defense
and Resistance in Trauma Therapy
A Clinical Framework for Understanding Resistance, Protective Defenses, and Therapeutic Stuck Points
Workshop Description
Many approaches and techniques have been developed to aid the therapist in providing the most effective treatment for trauma. However, there are times when techniques fail to help our clients, even those that are evidence-based. During this workshop, we will explore a major reason our approaches are not effective: the use of protective psychological defenses and resistance by clients. Resistance is natural when we feel threatened; protective defenses against emotional pain are understandable. But when clients are unable to progress because of rigid protective strategies, the therapist must shift focus from change to working with and through the resistance. Participants will learn how to identify defenses and resistance, and how to compassionately accept and work with them effectively.
We will explore therapists’ own contributions to resistance, including how our histories, clinical assumptions, and ways of conducting therapy may unintentionally intensify client defensiveness. Finally, participants will learn the types and functions of defenses, along with practical approaches for working effectively with resistant clients.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
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Identify at least two (2) specific defenses and how they manifest in the client.
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Describe a compassionate approach to understanding and treating resistance
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Apply at least four (4) interventions to support resolution of defenses in clients, including defenses in the relationship.
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Describe at least two (2) ways in which the therapist may contribute to stuck places in therapy with their own resistance and defenses, and identify ways to resolve them.
The Envision Difference
100 % online: Develop your skills from the comfort of your home or office via Zoom.
Live Q & A: Ask questions during the live Q & A with the presenter and participants.
1 YEAR access: Can't attend live? Watch later. 1 YEAR of access to the workshop recording and materials and receive a certificate with CEs for home study learning. *Exception applies, see CE section below
Workshop Schedule - Eastern Time (ET)
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Intro
The Problem with Resistance
What is the Difference between Defense and Resistance?
The different Psychological Defenses
Protective Functions of Defenses
Counter-resistance
12:30 pm - 12:45 pm
Break
12:45 pm - 2:15 pm
Identifying and Working with Defense and Resistance
Resistance as Phobic Avoidance
Avoidance of Inner Experiences
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Phobia of dissociative parts
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Phobia of traumatic memory
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Phobia of attachment and attachment loss
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Phobia of adaptive risk-taking and change
Indications of Defense and Resistance
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Verbal Indicators
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Non-Verbal Indicators
Manifestations of Resistance
2:15 pm - 2:30 pm
Break
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
When the Therapeutic Relationship Gets in the Way
When Grief Work Leads to Despair
“Feeling Good” is Dangerous
Fantasies that Maintain Defenses
Typical Inner Conflicts that Contribute to Defenses
Resistance in Dissociative Disorders
About Kathy Steele, MN, CS, APRN
Kathy Steele has been in private practice since 1985, and with Metropolitan Psychotherapy Associates in Atlanta, Georgia since 1988. She was Clinical Director of Metropolitan Counseling Services, a non- profit psychotherapy and training center until 2016. She is a Past President and Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), and has also served two terms on the Board of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). Kathy served on the International Task Force that developed treatment guidelines for Dissociative Disorders, and on the Joint International Task Force that has developed treatment guidelines for Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. She has received a number of awards for her work, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from ISSTD, an Emory University Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Cornelia B. Wilbur Award for Outstanding Clinical Contributions from ISSTD. Kathy has (co)authored numerous book chapters, peer reviewed journal articles, and three books with her colleagues.
Continuing Education (CE) Credits:
4 CE credits/contact hours awarded
*CE credits also available for the home study version!
See our FAQ section below for more information
Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program.
Envision Counselling and Consulting, Inc., #1895, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 1/19/2025-1/19/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 4 clinical continuing education credits.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Envision Counselling & Consulting, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Envision Counselling & Consulting, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
National Board for Certified Counselors
Envision Counselling and Consulting has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7241. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Envision Counselling and Consulting is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
CCPA has reviewed and approved the content of this workshop for 4 CEC.
Please ensure to check with your individual state boards/regulatory body to verify Continuing Education Credit Hours requirements and if the workshop you are planning to take qualifies. Licensing Boards change regulations often and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about a specific course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling.
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FAQ
What are the requirements for obtaining CEs?
Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in at the start of the live interactive webinar and logged out at the end, and attended the entire webinar to receive a certificate. Attendees will need to sign in by typing their first and last name in the chat box at the start of the workshop and sign out by typing their first and last name in the chat box at the end of the workshop. Failure to sign in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire workshop. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. An evaluation form will be made available to attendees at the end of the live workshop. The link to the evaluation form will be posted in the chat box. Certificates will be available following workshop completion. If participants cannot be present live for the entire workshop, they will have the option to watch the recording (home study) version of the presentation and will have access to Self-Study CE credits after completion of a short quiz.
Do I have to pay extra for CE credits?
No. The cost of CE credits is included with your workshop registration fee.
If I cannot attend live, can I still get CE credits?
Yes. You can access the recording in the home study version, watch it in its entirety, and then pass a quiz with a score of 75% or higher. After taking the quiz, you will be able to download a certificate as proof of completion.
How do I access the home study version when it becomes available?
You will be emailed five (5) business days after the live event with instructions on how you can access Envision's online learning platform. Sign in to your online account: Locate the email and click on your personal sign-in link to set your password. You cannot locate the email we sent? Login directly through the platform. Copy and paste the link below into your web browser: https://on-demand.envisionworkshops.com/pages/home-page To login, use the email address you provided when you registered for the workshop. To create your password, click on "Forgot Password" and set up a password for your account. If you already have an account and password, use those credentials to login.
How long do I have to review the recording?
You will have 1 YEAR review the recording. The recording will be made available approximately five (5) business days after the live workshop.
What is the refund policy?
Refunds on purchased tickets are available up until 15 days before the date of the live workshop. There is no refund after this date. Refunds will include the ticket price less a $50 processing fee for all refunds/price adjustments. *Prices subject to change. Refunds within 15 days of workshops will be in the form of a workshop credit. These credits do not expire. Please email registration@envisionservices.ca if cancellation is required.
If I have special needs or require accommodations, what do I do?
Email registration@envisionservices.ca at least five (5) business days prior to the live workshop to request accommodations or discuss your needs. Envision cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification.
If I have a complaint or grievance, who do I contact?
Please email registration@envisionservices.ca. All grievances must be in writing and will be replied to within 5 - 10 business days.
Is there commercial support or a conflict of interest for this presentation?
Kathy Steele receives a speaking honorarium from Envision. There are no known conflicts of interests for this program. Envision does not receive any financial support for this presentation. Literature may be referred to during the presentation. Envision will not receive any book royalties and was not offered any financial incentives for the mention of those books. Please note that authors of these books will get a royalty from any sale made of their books as per their agreement with the publishing company. For more information on any potential conflict of interest or financial support, attendees may email Envision at registration@envisionservices.ca.
What are the course interaction and system requirements?
This live workshop is fully interactive. Attendees may ask questions throughout the presentation and participate in instructor-led discussions. System requirements: • Operating Systems: Windows XP or higher, MacOS 9 or higher, Android 4.0 or higher • Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 9.0 or higher, Google Chrome, Firefox 10.0 or higher • Broadband Internet connection: Cable, High-speed DSL & any other medium that is internet accessible