Cara Wilkerson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, Florida, and Texas with over 18 years of experience providing therapy. She graduated Suma Cum Laude, from California State University San Marcos, with a Bachelor degree in Psychology and a minor in Criminology. She completed her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from California Baptist University, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. She specializes in treating complex PTSD, trauma, dissociation, and anxiety.
Cara is a trauma expert, a Consultant for both Brainspotting and EMDRIA, an EMDRIA specialty trainer, as well as certified in Brainspotting, EMDR, and the Eagala model of equine-assisted psychotherapy. She developed EquiAttune which integrates the Neuroexperiential Model of Brainspotting and the Dual Attunement Frame into equine-assisted psychotherapy and learning sessions.
Cara has owned and run her own private practice for the last 10 years, and has previous experience working in group practice settings, school settings, non-profits, and working with the drug court of San Bernardino. In addition, Cara is a Clinical Supervisor to associates working toward their licensure.
The Dissociation Adaptation: From Theory to Clinical Application
Navigating the complexities of dissociation is a critical skill for any trauma-informed practitioner. This workshop reframes dissociation not as a pathology, but as a creative and adaptive survival mechanism—one that disrupts the normal integration of consciousness, identity, and memory in response to overwhelming stress. Participants will explore the neurobiological foundations of dissociation, including the roles of the dorsal vagal system, hippocampus, and thalamus, and learn to recognize the spectrum of dissociative presentations such as depersonalization, fragmentation, and emotional numb...Read moreing.
Through a blend of theory, case examples, and experiential practice, this training provides a practical framework for assessing dissociative states and applying evidence-informed interventions. Attendees will leave with an expanded toolkit—including somatic regulation techniques, mindfulness-based grounding skills, and advanced parts work applications—to help clients safely move from dissociation toward reconnection and integration.
Bonus: Assessment tools provided as clinical resources
Recording:
This class will be recorded and made available within 2 hours after the live lecture. Recordings are available for 90 days after the class.
Please note: EMDRIA credits are only available to the mental health professionals who have already completed an EMDRIA-approved EMDR basic training. This training does not certify the professionals as an EMDR provider. This class has been approved for 2 EMDRIA credits (#24033-07). Less...
Learning Objectives
- Define and identify at least five characteristics and clinical indicators of dissociation across the trauma spectrum.
- Explain the neurobiological processes underlying dissociation, including the involvement of the dorsal vagal complex, hippocampus, and thalamus.
- Apply at least three regulation and grounding interventions matched to different types of dissociative states (e.g., depersonalization, emotional numbing, fragmentation) to promote greater integration and safety in clinical practice.
Target Audience
All mental health professionals welcome.
Learning Levels
- Beginner and Intermediate, all levels are welcome
Friday, January 23, 2026
Live Interactive Webinar
12:00 PM EST - 02:00 PM EST
EARN 2 CE Credit Hours
About the speaker
Cara Wilkerson, MS, LMFT
Brainspotting Consultant, EMDRIA Consultant, and Certified in Eagala Therapy
CE Information - Earn 2 CE Credit Hours including
2 Clinical Hour
CE Approvals
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
EngagedMinds Continuing Education is hereby recognized as a CAMFT-approved Continuing Education Provider. Provider number: 1032895
EMDRIA
EMDRIA: Cara Wilkerson, MS is an EC Provider # 24033 and this program #24033-07 is approved for 2 EMDRIA Credits. Eligibility for EMDRIA Credits is restricted to those who have completed an EMDRIA-Approved Basic EMDR Training.
New York State Education Department's State Board for SW
EngagedMinds Continuing Education 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-0676.
Association of Social Work Boards
EngagedMinds Continuing Education, #1858, formerly Erena DiGonis, LCSW, PLLC, 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: 8/25/2024-8/25/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2 continuing education credits.
National Board for Certified Counselors
EngagedMinds Continuing Education has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7455. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. EngagedMinds Continuing Education is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
New York State Education Department's State Board for LMHC
EngagedMinds Continuing Education 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-0284.
Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an
approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health
counselors. #MHC-0284.
New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners
EngagedMinds Continuing Education 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 marriage and family therapists #MFT-0117.
New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology
Erena DiGonis, LCSW, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0270.
CE Process Info
Each professional is responsible for the individual requirements as stipulated by his/her licensing agency. Please contact your individual licensing board/regulatory agency to review continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. Please note: You must attend "live" (in real-time) for the duration of the training to earn CE credits.
Before the event, you will receive an email from CE-Go with access to the virtual event. After the event, you will receive access to your evaluation and continuing education certificate via a personalized "attendee dashboard" link, hosted on the CE-Go website. This link and access to the virtual event will be sent to the email account you used to register for the event.
Upon accessing the CE-Go "attendee dashboard", you will be able to:
- Complete evaluation forms for the event
- Download your continuing education certificate in a PDF format
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the CE-Go platform, please contact CE-Go at 888-498-5578 or by email at support@ce-go.com Please Note: Emails for this event will come from "support@ce-go.com".
If you have any continuing education related questions, please contact your event organizer.
Please make sure to check your spam/junk folder in case those emails get "stuck". We'd also suggest "Allowlisting" support@ce-go.com. This tells your email client that you know this sender and trust them, which will keep emails from this contact at the top of your inbox and out of the junk folder.