- Recorded Webinar
Trauma & Personality Disorders Masterclass: Reframing Assessment, Alliance & Clinical Intervention for Complex Clients (RV)
Ellen Biros, MS, LCSW, C-PD
- Recorded Webinar
Overview:
Personality disorder diagnoses are often applied to clients presenting with emotional dysregulation, relational instability, and other maladaptive coping strategies — yet many of these presentations may be better understood through a trauma-informed lens. What looks like manipulation, splitting, emotional volatility, or characterological pathology is often survival-based adaptation to developmental adversity, attachment disruption, and chronic nervous system dysregulation. The clinical cost of missing this layer is real: treatment resistance, therapeutic ruptures, stigmatization, hopelessness in both clients and providers, and years of clinical work that never quite lands.
This 6-hour training examines how complex trauma, attachment disruptions, developmental adversity, and chronic nervous system dysregulation may mimic or contribute to traits commonly associated with personality disorders — particularly borderline, narcissistic, and antisocial personality patterns. Explore the overlap between trauma responses and personality pathology, including how survival-based adaptations can be misread as characterological traits. Examine the neurobiological, attachment, and relational foundations of trauma-related personality presentations, and learn how shame, abandonment fears, emotional numbing, hypervigilance, dissociation, and maladaptive self-protection strategies shape personality functioning over time.
The training also addresses the clinical consequences of missing the trauma layer, including treatment resistance, therapeutic ruptures, and countertransference reactivity. Learn strategies for differential assessment, trauma-informed case conceptualization, and interventions that move beyond symptom management toward deeper clinical progress. Special emphasis is placed on strengthening the therapeutic alliance, reducing countertransference reactivity, and recognizing adaptive survival strategies underlying difficult behaviors.
Designed for licensed mental health professionals who want a trauma-informed clinical framework for understanding and treating complex clients whose presentations don’t respond to standard personality disorder treatment.
Objectives:
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Analyze the overlap between complex trauma responses and personality disorder presentations, including borderline, narcissistic, and antisocial personality patterns.
- Identify how attachment disruptions, developmental adversity, and chronic nervous system dysregulation can contribute to behaviors commonly conceptualized as personality pathology.
- Differentiate trauma-related survival adaptations from characterological traits during clinical assessment and case conceptualization.
- Examine the role of shame, abandonment fears, dissociation, hypervigilance, emotional numbing, and maladaptive self-protection strategies in the development of personality functioning.
- Apply trauma-informed assessment and intervention strategies designed to reduce treatment resistance, strengthen therapeutic alliance, and improve clinical outcomes with complex clients.
- Develop strategies for managing countertransference reactions, reducing stigmatizing clinical interpretations, and recognizing adaptive survival mechanisms underlying challenging client behaviors.
Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This 6-hour training examines the overlap between complex trauma and personality disorder presentations, including borderline, narcissistic, and antisocial patterns, and covers trauma-informed assessment, case conceptualization, and intervention strategies for complex clients. Content is intended for licensed mental health professionals and is designed to enhance clinical skill within their existing scope of practice. This training does not substitute for formal supervision, consultation, or specialty training when working with complex, high-risk, or treatment-resistant presentations. Participants are responsible for applying course content in accordance with their professional license, jurisdictional regulations, and applicable ethical standards, and for seeking additional supervision or consultation as clinically indicated. This training does not confer specialty certification or an independent credential.
Commercial Support Disclosure
Ms. Biros has authored continuing education seminars, including “Personality Disorders: The Challenges of the Hidden Agenda,” “Antisocial, Borderline, Narcissistic and Histrionic: Effective Treatment for Cluster B Personality Disorders,” and “Unmasking Manipulative Relationships: Effective Strategies for Countering Covert Abuse,” which may be referenced during this training. No purchase of these or any other materials is required to complete the training. No other financial relationships or commercial support relevant to this activity have been disclosed.
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Ellen Biros, MS, LCSW, C-PD
Ellen Biros is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and adjunct professor. With over 20 years of experience in social work, Ellen is a seasoned expert in the treatment and assessment of individuals with personality disorders, substance abuse issues, and emotional regulation problems. Ellen earned a Master’s degree in Justice from American University in Washington, DC, and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Georgia. She has been sharing her knowledge with students at Tulane University in the School of Social Work and The University of Phoenix in the College of Social Services and the College of Natural Sciences. She is known for her dynamic and engaging teaching style and her ability to inspire students to achieve their full potential. Ellen is also an accomplished author and speaker. She has authored several continuing education seminars that have been well-received by professionals in the field. Her seminars, such as “Personality Disorders: The Challenges of the Hidden Agenda,” “Antisocial, Borderline, Narcissistic and Histrionic: Effective Treatment for Cluster B Personality Disorders,” and “Unmasking Manipulative Relationships: Effective Strategies for Countering Covert Abuse,.”
National Approvals
eCare BHI, as the accredited and approved sponsor, maintains responsibility for all the programs and must abide by each board’s continuing education guidelines.
Professional Counselors — The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No. 6703. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Addiction Professionals — NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is officially on file with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) as an Approved Education Provider. They are formally known as NAADAC Provider #139138. Please note that E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
Social Workers — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute, #1706, is approved 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: 06-03-2026 – 06-03-2029
CE Broker
CE Broker is a continuing education tracking system in which licensees track their compliance and report their completed CE hours credit (CE Broker Tracking #50-33336, #50-29024). eCare BHI directly reports CE hours to CE Broker for the following licensees:
- Professional Counselors and Mental Health Counselors — Florida, Kansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia
- Marriage and Family Therapists — Florida, Kansas, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee
- Social Workers — Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, Texas, West Virginia
- Psychologists — Florida (Home Study Courses), Kansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, Wyoming
- Addiction Counselors — Kansas, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina
- Other specialized licensees — Tennessee (Clinical Pastoral Therapist), South Carolina (Licensed Psycho-Educational Specialist), New Hampshire (Pastoral)
Licensees are encouraged to confirm reporting scope with their state board.
State Approvals
States that Accept ASWB-ACE Approved Providers | ||||||
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
| Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
| Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland |
| Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
| Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee |
| Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | ||||||
States that Accepts NBCC Approved Courses: | ||||||
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
| Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Indiana |
| Iowa | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Missouri | New Hampshire | New Jersey |
| New Mexico | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota |
| Tennessee | Texas | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | |
Notes:
- Nevada CPC’s and MFT’s accept ASWB-approved training
- North Dakota Board Of Counselor Examiners LAPC and LAPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council LPC and LPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Utah Division of Professional Licensing – CMHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Washington State Department of Mental Health MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Wisconsin Council on Mental Health LPCS accepts ASWB-approved training
States that Accept NAADAC Approved Providers | ||||||
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | Delaware | Hawaii | Indiana |
| Kentucky | Maine | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Montana | Nevada | New Jersey |
| New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Oregon | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
| Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
States that Accept APA Approved Providers | ||||||
| Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Delaware | District Of Columbia |
| Florida | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas |
| Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri |
| Montana | Nebraska | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
| Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | Tennessee | Utah | Vermont | Virginia |
| Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming | |||
Note: Please note that Individual Board Rules are subject to potential changes. The approval and acceptance details we furnish are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of documentation.
Should you have any inquiries or uncertainties not addressed by the provided information, it’s advisable to consult your State Regulatory Board. Ultimately, the decision of whether your license renewal credit hours are accepted or denied rests with you.
Georgia Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselors (ADACBGA) #19-12-17-1212.
Florida Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Florida Certification Board as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselor (FCB) #5387-A.
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy & Mental Health Counseling: The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy & Mental Health Counseling accepts courses from ASWB & NBCC approved providers. E Care Behavioral Health Institute is an ASWB and NBCC approved provider.
Oklahoma Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselors (OBLADC) #20220136.
Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure: E Care BHI is an approved CE provider for LPC & LMFT
Ohio Addiction Counselor: E Care BHI is recognized by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board as an approved education provider for Addiction Counselor (OCDP)#50-29024.
Note: eCare’s OCDP-approved courses are for renewal continuing education only and do not fulfill initial CDCA Preliminary or CDCA certification requirements.
The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board accepts courses from ASWB & NBCC approved providers. E Care Behavioral Health Institute is an ASWB and NBCC approved provider.
VA Mental Health Employee: E Care BHI VA COMMERCIAL VENDOR # 81-3353387-01
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP): E Care BHI is recognized by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) Provider Number OS-22-344-0526
Connecticut Certification Board CCB Approved): E Care BHI is recognized & approved by the Connecticut Certification Board.
Texas Certification Board (TCB): E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the Texas Certification Board as an approved education provider. Number 2041-19
South Carolina E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists licensing board as an approved education provider Provider #4628
New York (MHC) E Care Behavioral Health 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-0277
New York (SW) E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0745 LA-ADRA – E Care Behavioral Health Institute is recognized by Louisiana The Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority as an approved educational provider AEP #E122
Who This Training is For:
This program is intended for mental health professionals such as Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, Addiction Counselors, & MFT’s. Psychologists are encouraged to verify if this specific course meets their board’s approval requirements.
CE Guarantee
If you no longer wish to take the course, we’re happy to offer a credit transfer to another course of equal CE value
Unlimited Access
Enjoy unlimited replays to the video lesson that you can always review later for your own resource
Anytime, Anywhere
Take this course at your own time & pace on any device. Whether you're at the office or from the comfort of home!
If you're from Florida, Ohio, or South Carolina, we'll report your CEs to the CE broker
How It Works
Sign Up & Watch The Training
Pass Quiz & Complete Evaluation
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, we are approved Continuing Education providers by ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC, APA & many other state boards.
Programs that do not qualify for ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC, & APA are clearly identified. eCare Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
To view all of our board approvals, click here
1) After watching the video lesson, you’ll be prompted to complete a short course evaluation
2) Pass the quiz
3) Receive your certificate immediately
80% or above with 3 attempts.
No. Our courses are not “book to buy” and do not require any other materials in advance.
Yes. (If you’re from Florida, Ohio, & South Carolina). We report CEs to the CE broker daily for courses completed the day before. For both live and recorded webinars.
Recorded Webinar CE Courses:
- Refunds are only eligible if the course was purchased within 30 days or less.
- If the customer doesn’t want the course anymore, or was unsatisfied from it – We can transfer credits to another course of their choice (with same CE credit amount).
Unlimited CEs for $297/year
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