Making Sense of Distress: the Power Threat Meaning Framework

The Frontline Network are delighted to offer this session, Making Sense of Distress: An Introduction of the Power Threat Meaning Framework, delivered by Jacqui Dillon as part of the Outsourced Training programme.

About the Course

Making Sense of Distress: An Introduction of the Power Threat Meaning Framework is a one-day course introducing a new way to understand psychological and emotional distress. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with you?” the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) asks “What’s happened to you? How did it affect you? What sense did you make of it? What did you have to do to survive?” The day offers an accessible overview of the PTMF and how it can support more compassionate, trauma-informed, and non-pathologising practice.

Who can attend

Please be aware this training is exclusively offered to UK frontline workers supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.

Those who fall outside of the above criteria will not be able to attend this training event and any booking made will have to be returned.

Please ensure you have agree time off for training with line manager in order to attend this event prior to registration.

Please note we reserve the right to cap attendees from a single organisation to two people per session. If for one session we receive more than 2 registrations from individuals at the same organisation, we may return your registration.

Aims

Introduce the Power Threat Meaning Framework as a different way to understand distress and responses to adversity.

Explore how power, threat and meaning shape people’s experiences and coping strategies.

Encourage reflection on how PTMF ideas can be used in everyday frontline work — from conversations and care planning to support and advocacy.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the day, participants will:

· Understand the core ideas of the PTMF and why they matter in frontline roles.

· See how the PTMF offers an alternative to diagnosis-based ways of thinking.

· Recognise how power operates in people’s stories of distress, survival, and recovery.

· Practise using PTMF questions and language in real-world scenarios.

· Identify ways to apply PTMF principles in their own teams, services, or community work.

How this course can support your practice

The PTMF offers a practical way for frontline workers to:

· Build trust and engagement – using everyday, respectful language that makes sense to people.

· Enhance trauma-informed care – seeing distress as a response to life experiences, not as a sign of illness.

· Strengthen risk awareness and safety – by understanding the role of threat, power and meaning in people’s behaviour and emotions.

· Support more collaborative care planning – centring people’s own stories, values and survival strategies.

· Encourage reflective practice – noticing how power, culture and context shape your work.

· Promote compassion and resilience – for the people you support and within your teams.

See: https://www.bps.org.uk/member-networks/division-clinical-psychology/power-threat-meaning-framework

How Session Will be Delivered

Session will take place on Zoom. All attendees will need Zoom on their computer to participate in the session.

About the Trainer

Jacqui Dillon is an activist, author, educator and speaker, and has lectured and published worldwide on trauma, abuse, hearing voices, psychosis, dissociation, and healing. She is a key figure in the international Hearing Voices Movement, has co-edited three books, published numerous articles and papers and is on the editorial board of the journal Psychosis: Psychological, Social and Integrative Approaches. Jacqui is national Chair of ISPS UK, a board member of INTERVOICE, a board member of HVNI, Visiting Research Fellow at The Centre for Community Mental Health, Birmingham City University, a member of the Advisory Board at The Collaborating Centre for Values-Based Practice in Health and Social Care, St Catherine’s College, Oxford University, among other academic positions. Jacqui is an outspoken advocate and campaigner for creative, relational and trauma-informed approaches to madness and distress and is part of a collective movement demanding a radical shift in the way we understand and respond to experiences currently defined as psychiatric illnesses. In 2017, Jacqui was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Psychology by the University of East London. See www.jacquidillon.org

GDPR Statement

The Frontline Network are working with Jacqui Dillon as training provider to offer Power Threat Meaning Framework on 25/11/2025. Our trainer requires a list of all attendees to be able to send pre and post training resource materials. We require your consent for us to provide these details to the training provider, where they are a third party organisation and where we hold your data via our registration portal. Please note, your details will only be used for this training course – you will not be contacted for any other purpose by the trainer. By registering for this training event you are confirming your consent for the Frontline Network to share your registration details with Jacqui Dillon for the above stated purposes.

Vicar’s Relief Fund

Do you have clients you are working with facing barriers to access accommodation?

The VRF awards fast emergency grants of up to £500 to help people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. These crisis grants can be used to remove immediate barriers such as rent in advance, deposits, ID, and removal costs. If all the required information is provided, we aim to process and pay grants within 5 working days.

Instructions on how to register, request an account and apply for grants are included in our Help Page and FAQ’s. Full details of the above are set out in our Terms & Conditions and Grant Making Policy, which includes our eligibility criteria.

Training Fund

Interested in further training for yourself or your organisation? The Frontline Network can provide up to £500 towards an individual training course or £1,500 towards a group training session through our Training Fund programme. Visit our website here for further information about our criteria and how to apply.

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