Understanding & Working with Traumatic Dissociation Foundation Course

Please be sure to read all this section before booking

A Foundation level course consisting of 4 full days run as 2 x 2 day units one month apart on 13th/14th May 2017 and 17th/18th June 2017. From 9.00am to 4.30pm on each day. Outlines of each day follow below. Participants must attend all four days. Before attending, this confidentiality agreement must be downloaded, signed and returned as instructed in the agreement document.

Developed and delivered by the UK network of the European Society for Trauma & Dissociation (ESTD-UK) in collaboration with experts-by-experience trainers from First Person Plural - dissociative identity disorders association (FPP). It is primarily for counsellors, psychotherapists, clinical psychologists and other professionals working therapeutically with chronically traumatised clients who have a (diagnosed or not yet recognised) complex dissociative disorder, with a focus on dissociative identity and similar disorders. Participants gain a solid foundation on which to build their continuing professional development in a critical knowledge and skills set for recognising and working effectively with the many highly dissociative chronically traumatised individuals who present in NHS mental health and other therapy settings. The course recognises and builds on participants existing knowledge and skills to increase confidence in identifying and working with this client group.

Entry Requirements - please check that you can meet these before booking.

• Professionally qualified psychotherapist/counsellor/clinical psychologist/other psychological therapist or other recognised qualification for working therapeutically with people who have mental health problems
• At least basic knowledge and understanding of trauma and its role in the development of a wide range of mental / emotional health problems

Course Learning Objectives

• Be equipped with basic theoretical knowledge of dissociation & and the dissociative conditions
• Understand the developmental origins of dissociation, its effects and its role in surviving abuse/trauma
• Recognise different categories & levels of dissociation and their relationship, similarities and differences with other aspects of mental health
• Use tools for initial screening and have an outline understanding of a protocol for assessment
• Understand the core components & stages of treatment
• Draw on a range of treatment strategies
• Be equipped for multi disciplinary work.
• Be more confident in supporting those affected by dissociation
• Enhance knowledge & understanding through learning from experts by experience
• Access material via a DVD to inform colleagues and others using a cascade model
• Be equipped to move on to post-foundation training provided by ESTD UK

A combination of theoretical in-put, case presentation, experiential exercises & discussion informed by recommended background reading will be used throughout the course.

Certificates of attendance for a total of 24 hours CPD will be issued on completion of the course.

Fee includes delegate pack, CPD certificate of attendance, refreshments on arrival and at two further breaks during each day. Lunch is not included.

Day 1 : An introduction to assessment and treatment
Presented by Dr Mike Lloyd, Clinical Psychologist, CWP NHS FT

This day sets the scene for the assessment and treatment of someone with a complex dissociative disorder, firstly by understanding the characteristics of dissociation, and then onto how to assess and diagnose. The various screening tools and diagnostic schedule are discussed and explained, as well as how to collect background information safely. There is a focus on Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) as the most complex of disorders, but attention is also given to dissociative amnesia, depersonalisation / derealisation disorders as well as conversion disorders (i.e. a person with medically unexplained symptoms). There is a ‘how to…’ discussion for beginning therapy, and there will be video footage of actual therapy with a person with DID to help attendees see and understand the process of dissociation in clinical contexts. The phase treatment model of structural dissociation forms the theoretical background for the training. There is an emphasis on open discussion of items in the presentation, drawing on attendees experience and concerns as well as offering numerous case examples to demonstrates successes and failures in therapy.

Day 2 : Understanding the lived experience - perspectives on the origins and consequences of complex dissociation
Presented by Melanie Goodwin & Kathryn Livingston, Trainers & experts-by-experience, First Person Plural

This day uses the presenters’ lived experience of DID to support participants exploration and understanding of the origins and consequences of traumatic dissociation. It focuses on aspects of the structural dissociation of the personality model encouraging insight into how that model fits with the lived experience of DID and the therapeutic process. Experiential exercises provide an opportunity to gain insight into the reality of living with DID. An emphasis is given to the importance of establishing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship based on partnership working between client and therapist, especially in the first phase of therapy, i.e. Stabilisation.

Day 3 : Origins of dissociation in childhood abuse and neglect
Presented by Dr Renée P Marks, Consultant Therapist and Clinical Lead, National Centre for Children with Complex Trauma and Dissociation (Integrate Families); Chair, ESTD Child & Adolescent Committee

This day provides significant insight in the internal world of the child and adolescent who is dissociative. The theoretical aspects of child dissociation are presented at the hand of practical examples. The primary development of the self of the child enables the participant to understand the essential needs in the infant and young child for the necessary nurture and attachment. Without these, trauma might occur, which might lead to significant dissociation in the child. The training uses case studies, drawings, photos of sand trays and DVD’s to allow the child’s voice to be heard during the training and enables the participant to gain a better understanding of the child’s subjective experiences of dissociation.

Day 4 : Attachment, relationships and supportive environments - approaches to treating dissociation in adults
Presented by Andrea Aldridge, Enhanced Art Psychological Therapist, Norfolk & Suffolk NHS FT

This day explores and discusses attachment based case material in the context of dissociation. It aims to increase understanding of the effects of disorganised and confusing attachment experiences. Concepts and approaches to establishing safe and supportive therapy environments for adults experiencing dissociation are considered, including the challenges of unsupportive environments. The day provides an opportunity for participants to discuss together and reflect on their current practice, skills and knowledge; to build on and extend these in relation to working with dissociative clients.

BURSARIES
Do not continue your booking online if you wish to apply for a bursary. If your application is successful you will be sent a discount code to complete your online booking with the bursary amount deducted from the fee charged. There are four x £100.00 ESTD-UK bursaries available for qualifying applicants. Download the bursary application form if interested in applying for an ESTD-UK bursary. Also available is one x 100% FPP bursary for this course This full bursary is for a counsellor, psychotherapist, or clinical psychologist who is a current or newly joining ASSOCIATE member of First Person Plural. To enquire about this FPP bursary send an email to FPP

Changes and Cancellations

ESTD-UK reserves the right to replace advertised speakers and individual day content in response to circumstances beyond our control but the course learning objectives will remain unchanged. Those who have booked will be advised of any changes to speakers or content as soon as possible.

Our Cancellation Policy can be viewed here By booking you are confirming you have read and accepted this.