workshop nov 2011 - living with dissociation

83a High Street

HUNTINGDON

Cambridgeshire

PE29 3DP

01480 878409

0800 181 4420

07746 799221

info@pods-online.org.uk

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helpline:

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“Living with Dissociation” Workshop

in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands (full venue details upon booking)

on Saturday 26 November 2011

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 3.30 pm — 5.30 pm

CONTENT

Session 1: Understanding Dissociation and Dissociative Identity Disorder

An Introduction to our story: Life as it was versus life as it is now
What is dissociation?
Why is dissociation seen as a bad thing or 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
Signs of dissociation and DID

Session 2: What is it like being DID?

Rob’s perspective: A DID survivor’s partner’s story — the ‘difficult’ bits
The structure of the DID personality
Structural dissociation: ‘Apparently Normal Personalities’ and ‘Emotional Personalities’
Rob’s perspective: A DID survivor’s partner’s story — the ‘good’ bits
Managing triggers: front brains, back brains, and smoke alarms
Three strategies for managing triggers based on three parts of the brain
The window of tolerance

Session 3: Coping and recovering from dissociative disorders

Fighting the dragon together: attachment theory for partners
Carolyn’s roadmap to recovery—covering issues such as humour, psychoeducation, self-acceptance, developing attachment, learning to cope with dissociation and dealing with denial

Session 4: Open meeting and Q&A

Mutual support and discussion for survivors and partners, led by Rob
Q&A session and discussion for counsellors, therapists and other professionals, led by Carolyn

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

£45.00 per person, or £75.00 for a couple (survivor plus partner, survivor plus supporter, or partner plus supporter)
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 was until recently a Trustee of TAG (Trauma and Abuse Group, www.tag-uk.net) and Editor of their journal Interact. She is a freelance writer and trainer and has 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.

Rob has been married to Carolyn for nearly 10 years. He runs PODS (www.pods-online.org.uk) and is a trained counsellor. His background is in secondary education, adult training and Children’s Social Care.

VENUE

Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B72 1TF (further details of venue upon booking).
Sutton Coldfield Station is a short walk away (0.15 miles) and is only a 20-minute journey from Birmingham New Street
The venue is situated near the centre of Sutton Coldfield and is easily accessible from the M6 and M42

BOOKING