The Complex PTSD
Monthly Study Group
Hosted by Joel Kouame, LCSW, MBA, CAMS-II

This group is OPEN! If you are interested, enroll in the next session - Zoom links and other information are within the course.

*Purchase of a Study Group Session Supplementary CE Course is NOT required to attend a study group session. But in order to obtain CE credit for the study session, the Supplementary Course must be purchased and completed.

1st Thursday every month

6:30pm Pacific Time

2 hour online study group

Study Group Session

Supplementary CE Courses

Obtain the text for the 2026-2027 Study Group

Primary readings for discussion will be from "The Haunted Self: Structural Dissociation and the Treatment of Chronic Traumatization" by Onno van der Hart, Ellert Nijenhuis, and Kathy Steele. It is up to participants to obtain a copy of this text.
Any additional readings for the session will be provided for you.

Find Book

About the Study Group

How do I obtain CE Credits for a Study Session?

To obtain CE Credits for a study session, you must:

  1. Attend at least 90% of the session - the Session Leader will be taking attendance and informing SFG Administration
  2. Purchase the "Legacy Study Group" supplemental CE Course for that study session
  3. Complete the supplemental CE Course for that session - this consists of one small course evaluation
  4. You will then unlock a CE Certificate that will be available on My Account -> Certificates

What is the accrediting body of the CE Credits?

The Steve Frankel Group, LLC (SFG) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. SFG maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Continuing Education course content is also approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for MFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs, because SFG is an approved provider by the APA. For non-California residents, most all states accept SFG’s accreditation for Master Level clinicians. 

If you are not certain about reciprocity, please check with your state's appropriate Licensing Board.

How are the Session topics and schedule determined?

This Study Group has a curriculum determined in advance by the host. Besides the topics outlines, the study group can also internally discuss the direction and topics of interest they would like to approach in the future. 

I can't make it to a session. What do I do?

If you cannot make it to a session, then it is no problem. Simply refrain from purchasing the CE Supplementary Course for that session. Best Practice is also to inform the group host, so they are informed ahead of time. 

This is an open group

This group does not require any formal enrollment or commitment. If you are interested in joining for one session, two sessions or all of them, you can simply purchase the matching CE Supplementary Courses, which contain the information required to join each particular session, reading assignments, etc.

Study and Improve with Peers!

12 Month Curriculum, Reading and Discussion, Case Conceptualization

Curriculum: 2026-2027

Program Description

This 12-month continuing education study group provides clinicians with a structured, integrative approach to understanding and treating Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). 

Meeting monthly, participants will examine core theoretical frameworks, review foundational and emerging literature, and identify converging principles across modalities.

Learning Objectives

  1. Understand Complex PTSD symptoms, challenges, and theoretical explanations 
  2. Compare key concepts across trauma models (e.g., parts theory, neuroception, adaptive information processing)
  3. Apply evidence-based interventions to improve treatment planning for C-PTSD
  4. Develop integrative case conceptualizations using multiple modalities
  5. Utilize peer consultation to refine clinical decision-making and address treatment challenges

Session Format

Each session is divided into two structured components:

1. Didactic & Comparative Learning (30 minutes)
  Participants will:

  • Review assigned readings (books and supplemental literature)
  • Examine key concepts related to Complex PTSD
  • Compare and contrast theoretical frameworks across modalities
  • Identify shared mechanisms and points of divergence between models

2. Case Conceptualization & Clinical Application (90 minutes)
  Participants will:

  • Apply theoretical concepts to clinical practice
  • Engage in structured case consultation and discussion
  • Collaboratively refine treatment planning strategies
  • Link case material directly to the monthly topic

When live cases are not presented, structured or historical cases will be used to ensure consistent application of learning objectives

Primary Text

The Primary Text is a single book which participants are expected to obtain on their own. Each session has a selection of readings from this book which will be discussed during the Didactic Learning segment of the group. 

Current Primary Text: 
The Haunted Self: Structural Dissociation and the Treatment of Chronic Traumatization by Onno van der Hart, Ellert Nijenhuis, and Kathy Steele

Purchase Now:
Bookshop.org
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

*Disclaimer: Neither SFG nor Joel Kouame have any financial interest in the sales of this book.

Session Dates and Times

Session are held on the first Thursday of each month. This 12-month cycle begins on September 03.

6:30pm - 8:30pm Pacific Time

*Dates are subject to change pending discussion with members during first session

Supplemental Readings

Some sessions will include Supplemental reading assignments or videos. These supplements will be provided for attendees who register for the CE Supplemental course, via the online course. 


Primary Reading

The Haunted Self – Chapters 1 and 2

Supplemental Resources

Supplemental video links, PDFs, etc can be found in the CE Supplemental Course

  • Structural Dissociation Explained (video)
  • Discussion: Strategies for Reading Clinical Literature and Taking Effective Notes


Time and Date

Thursday, September 03, 2026

6:30pm - 8:30pm Pacific Time

Primary Reading

The Haunted Self – Chapters 3 and 4

Supplemental Resources

Supplemental video links, PDFs, etc can be found in the CE Supplemental Course

  • Mijares, S. G. Archetypes, Ego States, and Subpersonalities: An Exploration of Diverse Expression Within Somatic Awareness


Time and Date

Thursday, October 01, 2026

6:30pm - 8:30pm Pacific Time

*Date is subject to change pending discussion with members during first session

Primary Reading

The Haunted Self – Chapters 5 - 6

Supplemental Resources

Supplemental video links, PDFs, etc can be found in the CE Supplemental Course

  • DID Diagnostic Guide
  • Fisher, J. The Treatment of Structural Dissociation in Chronically Traumatized Patients


Time and Date

Thursday, November 05, 2026

6:30pm - 8:30pm Pacific Time

*Date is subject to change pending discussion with members during first session

Primary Reading

The Haunted Self – Chapters 7 - 8

Supplemental Resources

Supplemental video links, PDFs, etc can be found in the CE Supplemental Course

  • How We Make Memories (Crash Course Psychology #13)
  • Long-Term Memory: What It Is, How It Works, and Types
  • Memory Stages in Psychology: Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval
  • The Amygdala, Hippocampus, and the Emotional Modulation of Memory

Time and Date

Thursday, December 03, 2026

6:30pm - 8:30pm Pacific Time

*Date is subject to change pending discussion with members during first session

Primary Reading

The Haunted Self – Chapters 9 - 11

Supplemental Resources

Supplemental video links, PDFs, etc can be found in the CE Supplemental Course

  • PCL-5 Scoring: PTSD Checklist for DSM-5
  • Understanding the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)

Time and Date

Thursday, January 7, 2027

6:30pm - 8:30pm Pacific Time

*Date is subject to change pending discussion with members during first session

Catch-Up and Integration

  • Opportunity to complete unfinished readings
  • Group discussion and review of key concepts from Quarters 1 and 2

Time and Date

Thursday, February 4, 2027

6:30pm - 8:30pm Pacific Time

*Date is subject to change pending discussion with members during first session

Primary Reading

The Haunted Self – Chapters 12 - 13

Supplemental Resources

Supplemental video links, PDFs, etc can be found in the CE Supplemental Course

  • Anne Power, Attachment Theory Is the Science of Love (TEDx Talk)
  • Attachment Theory and Adult Relationships (video)

Primary Reading

The Haunted Self – Chapters 14 - 15

Supplemental Resources

Supplemental video links, PDFs, etc can be found in the CE Supplemental Course

  • Introduction to Somatic Experiencing
  • Understanding the Autonomic Nervous System and Trauma
  • Peter Levine's Powerful Trauma Exercise
  • What Is Pendulation in Somatic Experiencing? (Peter A. Levine, PhD)

Primary Reading

The Haunted Self – Chapters 16 - 17

Supplemental Resources

Supplemental video links, PDFs, etc can be found in the CE Supplemental Course

  • Neurobiology of Fear and Specific Phobias
  • Understanding Classical vs. Operant Conditioning
  • Therapeutic Process During Exposure: The Habituation Model

Review and Consolidation

  • Structural Dissociation
  • Parts Work and Internal Systems
  • Memory Fragmentation
  • Attachment and Trauma
  • Somatic Approaches

*No new readings

Advanced Review and Clinical Application

  • Case conceptualization exercises
  • Trauma treatment planning
  • Integrating structural dissociation into clinical practice

*No new readings

Case Review and 12-Month Cycle Wrap-Up

  • Comprehensive case discussions
  • Integration of annual learning objectives
  • Preview of next year's primary text and curriculum

Who is Joel Kouame?

Founder of JK Counseling
Presenter for the Steve Frankel Group

  • Joel Kouame, LCSW, MBA, CAMS-II, is an individual and couples therapist, immigration evaluator, clinical supervisor, and the founder of JK Counseling, a fully virtual group practice. He specializes in stress-related disorders—including PTSD, anger dysregulation, and ADHD—and integrates evidence-based modalities to support lasting, meaningful change. Joel provides consultation and advanced clinical support to EMDR-trained clinicians.
  • Learn more >
Here is a highlight about Joel!