Lived experiences of clients show them being in a simultaneous state of hyper- and hypo- arousal if two or more of their experiences are activated simultaneously. Similarly, they can very quickly drop from a hyper to hypo state characterized by a serious dissociative collapse without passing through the middle window. Latest research in neuroscience and evidence-based approaches shows that activation and collapse is not always a one-dimensional, linear process, rather a continuum on a circle. When triggered; fight, flight, freeze and fawn can all pull a client in different directions at the same time, much like being spread out in a spider web.

This training workshop, which would be especially relevant for counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists across modalities – provides an opportunity for professionals working with PTSD, complex trauma and single-instance trauma, to add practical skills to their therapeutic repertoire. The aim is to enable practitioners to explore more creative ways of working with dissociation and help them become more embodied, so they can facilitate post-traumatic growth for their clients. Dr Jamie Marich draws on the latest findings from neuroscience and evidence-based approaches, and the growing body of lived experience knowledge from the community of people living and thriving with dissociative disorders. As the author of Dissociation Made Simple (2023) which featured a large-scale phenomenological investigation, Dr. Jamie is passionate about setting the record straight on dissociation. In this workshop, she will:

• Debunk the myths surrounding dissociation and provide us with a practical and sensitive orientation to how the dissociative mind works
• Especially draw attention to strategies suggested by expressive arts and mindfulness-focused practices and evaluate their potential for therapeutic work
• Provide us with a primer on working with grounding skills in stabilisation and preparation phases of trauma work
• Help us expand our knowledge of conceptualising and healing dissociation within a trauma-focused clinical practice
• Provide an overview on the theory of structural dissociation and help with the exploration of our own dissociative profile and system of parts

She will share strategies for translating this knowledge to practice settings and making the best clinical decisions possible, particularly in treatment planning, case conceptualization and working with extreme emotional distress.

Specifically, the webinar will:

• Define dissociation in a trauma-focused manner and explain the multi-faceted manner in which signs of dissociation may manifest
• List and discuss five common myths about working with dissociative clients in psychotherapy
• Explain the theory of structural dissociation and utilize at least two metaphors to explain it to a client
• Describe one’s own dissociative profile as an individual and translate this learning about the self into better understanding the internal world of a dissociative client
• Implement at least three strategies from expressive arts therapy and mindfulness-informed approaches into early phases (Stabilization/Preparation), particularly for grounding and building awareness, and in later phases (Closure) for safely concluding and linking sessions
• Apply at least three strategies learned through the previous objectives for enhancing case conceptualization and managing abreactions
• Apply expert consultation in conceptualizing difficult cases with dissociation components (from a variety of theoretical perspectives)
• Decrease overall apprehension and increase personal confidence in working with dissociative clients in professional settings

Learning Objectives:

• Define dissociation in a trauma-focused manner and explain the multi-faceted manner in which signs of dissociation may manifest
• List and discuss five common myths about working with dissociative clients in psychotherapy
• Describe one’s own dissociative profile as an individual and translate this learning about the self into better understanding the internal world of a dissociative client
• Implement at least three strategies from expressive arts therapy and mindfulness-informed approaches into early phases (Stabilization/Preparation), particularly for grounding and building awareness, and in later phases (Closure) for safely concluding and linking sessions
• Apply at least three strategies learned through the previous objectives for enhancing case conceptualization and managing abreactions
• Apply expert consultation in conceptualizing difficult cases with dissociation components (from a variety of theoretical perspectives)