Trauma Center Belgium

Layla Brack

Layla's early work experiences included a wide range of audiences, including individuals with emotional and behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, depression, autism spectrum disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. These experiences highlighted the connection between trauma and various diagnoses, which fueled her interest in trauma and trauma-related disorders. This interest in trauma and the passion to work with it brought her to Trauma Center Belgium in 2018, where she began her practice under the supervision of Doris D'Hooghe.

Approach

The collaboration with Doris already flowed into several projects including the development of the "Developmental Model of Dissociation" which includes five new models to treat trauma and dissociation. This includes innovative perspectives regarding attachment relationships, development, the development of the self, trauma and therapy; including prenatal trauma, psychological infanticide, complex trauma, unseen attachment trauma, intergenerational trauma and more. The model, Developmental Model of Dissociation, is described in a forthcoming book by Layla and Doris to be published by Routledge publishers in January 2026.

Background

In addition to personal learning with Doris, she completed several courses on trauma and dissociation to build her expertise and adopt an integrative approach as a therapist. At Trauma Center Belgium, three pillars-therapy, education and awareness-form the core of our mission. In addition to the practice, Layla is involved in projects that focus on the other two pillars. Together with Doris, she gives lectures, presentations and training on trauma and trauma-related issues. As a member of the "International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation" (ISSTD), and through ongoing professional continuing education, she stays abreast of the latest research and developments within the field, ensuring that her work is always well founded and effective.

Education

2025: in training 'complex trauma and dissociation' - ISSTD

2021: safety and trauma training.

2018-present: continuous supervision and work in psychotraumatology

2017-present: continuous education on trauma and dissociation

            From several professionals such as Pat Ogden, Peter Levine, Mary Jo

            Barrett, Janina Fisher, Bessel van der Kolk and more

2016: Master of science in Clinical Psychology - University of Ghent

2013: Bachelor's degree in applied psychology - HOWEST

Presentations & Workshops

  • Understanding Violent Behavior in Dementia: An Attachment and Trauma Theory Perspective
    • Presentation Congress ECVCP Krakow 8/11/2024
  • "Holistic Trauma and Dissociation Treatment Planner," A guide for assessing and treating developmental dissociation.
    • Workshop at the ISSTD Conference in Louisville in April 2023
  • "Dissociation from the authentic self." The impact of invisible attachment trauma on dissociative reactions across multiple developmental domains.
    • Workshop at the Healing Together Conference- An Infinite Mind in Orlando, in February 2023
  • Dissociative Continuum of Sense of Self.
    • Workshop at the Healing Together Conference- An Infinite Mind in Orlando, in February 2023
  • Developmental Model of Dissociation
    • Training for professionals, in 2022
  • Invisible attachment trauma, in 2022
    • Training for professionals
  • "Dissociation: A developmental model "
    • Workshop at the Healing Together Conference- An Infinite Mind in Orlando, in February 2022
  • 'Invisible Attachment Trauma by Doris D'Hooghe'
    • Article on Invisible Attachment Trauma, in 2020