Managing structural dissociation of the personality due to the effects of severe, chronic and multiple childhood traumas remains challenging.  A phase oriented treatment approach has been proposed by van der Hart, Nijenhuis and Steele (2006).  This workshop will explore current theories and treatments.  This workshop will specifically focus on the Ego State Therapy approach of Prof. John and Helen Watkins, in the treatment of severe cases of personality disintegration due to Complex PTSD, specifically Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).

The presenting symptoms, diagnosis, development and treatment of DID will be explored. The development of alters through trauma and introjects will be presented and demonstrated.  The utilization of the SARI-model and stages of integration (Frederick, C. & Phillips, M, 1995) will be explained through case presentations of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) on DVD.  Different techniques of education and establishing safety and stabilisation will be presented.   Recognising, the technique of talking through to alters and how to access alters will be discussed and demonstrated.  The complexity of treating DID requires at times of the therapist to develop novel therapeutic approaches to join the clients world. The utilization of art and music, play therapy, EMDR/EMI and Somatic Experiencing to access and process underlying trauma and resolve the conflicts between dissociated alters/ states will be explored.  The workshop will also refer to some of the more difficult treatment dilemmas in severe dissociation: hallucinations, self-destructiveness, malevolent alters and managing complex conditions such as epilepsy.  Lastly, incorporating the patient in the stages of integration and developing a new identity will be presented.

Educational Objectives

1. Participants will learn about some of the proposed treatment approaches with DID
2. Participants will learn about recognising and diagnosing DID.
3. Participants will develop a better understanding of the essential underlying principles of treating patients with severe personality dissociation within the Ego State Therapy model.
4. Participants would be able to understand how the principles can be utilised to stabilize and strengthen a patient, access alters, process trauma and promote personality integration in dissociated patients to develop a new identity.
5. Participants would have a better understanding of managing some of the specific challenges with structural dissociation of the personality due to complex trauma.

Super Early Bird until 7 May 2023:  $ 350

($ 175 Full-time Students and Unpaid Interns)

Early Bird until 28 May 2023:  $ 450

($ 225 Full-time Students and Unpaid Interns)

Full Registration: $ 550

($ 275 Full-time Students and Unpaid Interns)