Dissociation in Children:A coping mechanism that creates behavioural issues

Dates
Monday 20th April – Day 1

Friday 24th April – Day 2

Monday 27th April – Day 3

Trainer
Karen Andor is an Educational Psychologist and Psychotherapist based in Bournemouth. She has been trained in a number of psychotherapeutic approaches for supporting clients with attachment, trauma and dissociation. Karen works with both adults and children. The therapies she has been trained in for children are Psychodynamic play therapy, Narrative therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Level 1, SPIM30 and she is a certified Theraplay Therapist. For adults, Karen has trained in Psychodynamic psychotherapy, Narrative therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Sensory Motor Psychotherapy Level 2, SPIM30, and Havening. Karen is a TIST certified Therapist, and she is in the process of studying Brainspotting. She has also trained in Systemic Family Therapy and has worked as a family therapist.

Karen’s goal has been to support clients with mental health, and this has led her to discovering the mechanism of dissociation which is a much-overlooked coping mechanism for traumatised adults. Dissociation is even more overlooked in children. To support a child in Theraplay sessions, she adapted Janina Fisher’s Trauma Informed Stabilisation Treatment (TIST) for that child. This has led to her using this approach with children and this is supported by Janina Fisher and the Theraplay Institute. She has run several trainings on her approach with therapists, spoken at the Master Series in Oxford in 2023 and supports schools to assist children who dissociate in the classroom.

Description of course
This three-day course will look at the different theories of dissociation and how dissociation impacts on daily life in children, adolescents and teenagers. The workshop will then focus specifically on Karen’s dissociation model which is applicable for a wide range of professionals to access. Participants will learn how to identify dissociation from background histories and body language as well as behaviours. They will learn how dissociated parts function to protect the person and how dissociation is often misdiagnosed as there is so little known about it. Children, young people and adults are in crisis and professionals from different fields need to come together to support them.

The first day will look at the theoretical background around dissociation and Karen’s model. The second day will look at more theory and how to identify different parts. Participants will also be taught how to use the DIDDY doll and workbook, created by Karen as resources for both therapy and psychoeducation.

The third day will involve practical in person training and experiences so that participants can learn some strategies to down or up-regulate parts and opportunities to practice using the DIDDY doll and workbook.

Objectives and Outcomes from the course
Over the course of the three days you will learn:

• Understand dissociation and how it is related to trauma, developmental trauma and attachment.
• An understanding of the general theories around dissociation and Janina Fisher’s model adapted by Karen
• How to identify when children, adolescents and adults dissociate
• How you may encounter dissociation in your practice as it occurs throughout daily life
• How to identify different parts
• An opportunity to learn some ways of explaining dissociation to clients/patients and some techniques for regulating parts

All participants will receive the DIDDY doll and workbook on Day 3 as part of this training.

Attendance certificates will be issued.

Who should attend
This course is open to all counsellors, psychotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, teachers, psychiatrists, pediatricians, medical professionals, and social workers.

Pre-requisite
No pre requisites are required for this course.

With full attendance you will be issued a certificate of attendance.

Fee of £840 includes VAT