Living with Dissociation and Dissociative Identity Disorder

83a High Street

HUNTINGDON

Cambridgeshire

PE29 3DP

01480 878409

0800 181 4420

07746 799221

info@pods-online.org.uk

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“Living with Dissociation” Workshop

in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (full venue details upon booking)

on Saturday 17 March 2012

9.30 am — 5.30 pm

including a support group / open meeting for survivors and partners

and a Q&A session for counsellors and therapists

approximately 4.00 pm — 5.30 pm

CLICK HERE FOR BOOKING FORM

SOLD OUT

ABOUT THE COURSE

Dissociation is a natural coping mechanism for dealing with trauma and is very common in survivors of childhood abuse, especially sexual abuse. Dissociative disorders develop when this mechanism is employed repeatedly in order to deal with overwhelming and chronic abusive situations. The most extreme of these disorders is ‘Dissociative Identity Disorder’ (DID).

To the outside observer, dissociation can at first seem frightening and bizarre. But it is in fact an entirely logical process which seeks to protect the person’s mind from overwhelming trauma.

Suffering from a dissociative disorder is exhausting and can be very distressing. But learning about dissociation and how to manage it can make a huge difference, especially when this is combined with support from a partner, family member or friend, as well as professional support such as counselling.

This training day is an introduction to living with dissociation and it is suitable for survivors, as well as people who support them in either a personal or professional capacity. The day is based around taught sessions which blend our narrative (making it personal) with accepted and well-grounded theory and insights from neuroscience.

The day aims to:

inform and educate;
reduce shame, stigma and isolation;
provide an insight into what life with Dissociative Identity Disorder is like for both the survivor and significant others;
and provide keys to recovery and managing issues such as triggers.

Survivors are often anxious before attending this day, but they invariably later find their fears to be unfounded as there is a strong emphasis on safety throughout the day, with resources and facilities to enable people to manage any potential triggers and stay adult and present.

This professional training day demystifies and destigmatises dissociation and is just as suitable for dissociative survivors as it is for highly-trained and experienced professionals.

CONTENT

Session 1 — Understanding Dissociation and DID

Introducing our story: life as it was / life as it is now
What is dissociation? Why is it seen as a sign of mental illness?
What are dissociative disorders and how do they develop?
How do we know that DID is real?
Dissociation as a response to trauma

Session 2 — What is it like being DID?

Rob’s perspective: a partner’s story — the bad bits and the good bits
Managing triggers: front brains, back brains and smoke alarms, and three strategies for coping

Session 3 — A ‘Fragmented’ Personality?

Different ‘types’ of parts/alters — their function and meaning and Carolyn’s ‘ego-map’
Structural dissociation: ANPs and EPs
Conclusion: is there hope for recovery?

Session 4 — Discussion (optional final session in two separate groups) from about 4.00 pm

Rob: survivors and partners/supporters — ‘open meeting’ for sharing and discussion
Carolyn: therapists and other professionals — Q&A

WHO IS IT FOR?

Anyone suffering from a dissociative disorder or experiencing dissociation
Survivors of sexual abuse or trauma
Partners, friends, family members of dissociative survivors
Counsellors, therapists, Rape Crisis staff, helpline volunteers
Community Psychiatric Nurses, GPs, other health professionals
Social Workers, Family Workers, other social care staff

COST

£50.00 per person, or £80.00 for a couple (survivor plus partner, survivor plus supporter, or partner plus supporter)
Please note that the reduced rate of £80.00 for two people is only available for a survivor plus partner/supporter, not for two therapists or other professionals.
Drinks and biscuits will be provided but please bring your own lunch (sandwich shops also located nearby).

THE SPEAKERS

Rob and Carolyn Spring will be leading the day.

Carolyn is Director of PODS and Chair of START (Survivors Trauma and Abuse Recovery Trust, www.start-online.org.uk). She is a freelance writer and trainer, having been published in a range of publications. She was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder several years ago, but prior to this she worked for many years within Children’s Social Care with abused children. She now also runs TASC (Trauma and Abuse Support Centre, www.tasc-online.org.uk), providing training throughout the UK on the subjects of dissociation, trauma and abuse. For details of her other events go to www.carolynspring.co.uk.

Rob has been married to Carolyn since 2001. He is also Director of PODS and is currently training to be a counsellor. His background is in secondary education, adult training and Children’s Social Care.

VENUE

Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (further details of venue upon booking).
Huntingdon Station is a short walk away (0.5 miles) and is only a 50-minute journey from London King’s Cross
The venue is situated near the centre of Huntingdon and is easily accessible from the A1 and A14

BOOKING

You can pay by cheque by filling in the booking form (available here) and sending it with a cheque made payable to PODS to 83a High Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3DP
You can also pay online by credit/debit card or Paypal account by selecting your option and clicking on the ‘Pay Now’ button below:

SOLD OUT

Booking confirmation and full details will be sent out by email upon receipt of your payment. If you do not receive this within 7 days, please check your spam folder and then contact us. Please check our cancellation policy at www.pods-online.org.uk/cancel.

Invoices for employers can be supplied upon request. CPD certificates are provided along with extensive delegate packs.

We reserve the right to refuse bookings when necessary.

MORE INFORMATION