Unseen Origins: Understanding the Prenatal Roots of Trauma and Dissociation

Cherionna Menzam-Sills, Ph.D., RCST, RCST®, ISMETA RSMT/E, has studied pre- and perinatal psychology/therapy since the early 1990s,incorporating intensive work with pioneers William Emerson and Ray Castellino. She also deeply explored Craniosacral Biodynamics, Continuum (mindful movement), trauma therapies, and meditation, all of which influence her work. She has taught internationally for years, including with her late husband, Biodynamics pioneer, Franklyn Sills. She also taught at Naropa University, the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, and Karuna Institute. The author of three books, The Breath of Life: An Introduction to Craniosacral Biodynamics,Spirit into Form: Exploring Embryological Potential and Prenatal Psychology,and The Prenatal Shadow: Healing Traumas Experienced Before and at Birth,Cherionna is committed in her work and life to embodied presence. Originally from Canada, she now lives in beautiful Devon, UK.

www.birthingyourlife.org-Cherionna’s website

Content Description: 

Course Agenda

Unseen Origins: Understanding the Prenatal Roots of Trauma and Dissociation

Live Online Zoom Session 1 – Prenatal Awareness, Nervous System Development, and Dissociation – Friday, January 9th -9-10:30am PST/12-1:30pm EST/5-6:30pm GMT

This session will explore how learning and memory begin even before the nervous system is fully developed, with a focus on cellular and tissue memory of prenatal experience. Through a PowerPoint presentation and guided exercises, participants will learn about the prenatal development of key brain structures and the Autonomic Nervous System, aiming to understand the origins of trauma and dissociation as a common prenatal response to threat. The session includes an introduction, guided meditation, discussion, and journaling to integrate the material.

• Prenatal Awareness, learning, and memory
• Pre-nervous system memory – cellular and tissue memory and learning
• Prenatal development of relevant brain structures (e.g. amygdala, hippocampus)
• Prenatal development of Autonomic Nervous System
• Dissociation as prenatal response to threat

Live Online Zoom Session 2 – Understanding, Preventing, and Addressing Potential Prenatal Traumas – Friday, January 23rd – 9-10:30am PST/12-1:30pm EST/5-6:30 GMT

This workshop addresses common prenatal traumas and their potential for dissociation, beginning with a guided meditation and check-ins. The core session features a presentation identifying major prenatal developmental milestones (Conception, Implantation, Discovery) as sources of trauma, detailing the effects of maternal stress on the developing baby. The goal is to equip participants with an understanding of these issues and the relational keys needed to prevent, reduce, and heal prenatal trauma at any stage of life.

• Common prenatal traumas
• Introduction to prenatal developmental milestones: Conception, Implantation, Discovery
• Trauma within the context of preparing for mother’s world
• Effects of prenatal maternal stress on the baby
• What do little ones need? Keys to preventing, reducing, and resolving prenatal trauma at any age

Unseen Origins: Understanding the Prenatal
Roots of Trauma and Dissociation

Learning Objectives

Session 1: Prenatal Awareness, Nervous System
Development, and Dissociation

1. Describe two body systems outside the nervous system that learn and remember prenatal experiences.
2. Describe one potential prenatal origin of trauma and dissociation.
3. Identify three physiological reasons why the developing fetus utilizes dissociation as a primary defense mechanism against maternal stress and prenatal environmental threats.

Session 2: 

1. Identify three major prenatal developmental milestones as potential sources of trauma and dissociation.
2. Explain how a mother’s subjective perception of threat creates an ‘altered in-utero environment,’ predisposing the baby to a more reactive autonomic nervous system postnatally.
3. Describe the specific qualities of a therapeutic relational field-such as safety, presence, and resonance-that facilitate the integration of pre-verbal traumatic memories and reduce dissociative tendencies.

For intermediate mental health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, LPCs, and LMFTs.

Continuing Education

This program offers limited Live CEs/Contact Hours.

Continuing education credit/Contact hours are awarded on a per-session basis, with full attendance required for the entire 90-minute duration.  There is no additional charge for the CEs.  Application forms and other required CE materials will be available to participants by the Academy of Therapy Wisdom.

NOTE:  To receive continuing education credit, applicants must complete all CE materials, comply with attendance regulations, and submit an evaluation form for the session attended.  It is the responsibility of the attendee to determine if CE credit/contact hours offered by Academy of Therapy Wisdom meet the regulations of their state licensing/certification board.  

Psychology:  This course does NOT provide CEs for Psychologists.

Counseling:

Academy of Therapy Wisdom has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7370. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Academy of Therapy Wisdom is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.  This program is approved for 1.5 CE Credit Hours for each live session for a possible total of 3 CE Credit Hours.

NY State Social Workers: Academy of Therapy Wisdom is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Workers as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. #SW-0814.

NY State Mental Health Counselors: Academy of Therapy Wisdom is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0285.

Marriage/Family Therapy: See below for CAMFT information.

This course is $87 per month or $684/year. You can purchase it here.