Drivetrain malfunction when driving

My 2000 crown vic ( 61000 miles ) has been having intermittent and worsening problems shifting from lower speed gear to higher speed gear. It starts off great in first gear, then when shifting into second it seems to fall into neutral for about 1-5 seconds, the temperature light shows overheating, and then traction control light turns on, and then ( finally )drops into second.

the car was sent to autolab for more than one week
and spent $200 for repair. It still has the same problem.

any help is highly appreciated.