Abstract
This treatment-focused workshop is the second part of Dissociation Essentials. It builds on the foundational session, Dissociation Essentials: Understanding and Identifying Dissociative Disorders, led by Dr Mary-Anne Kate, which introduces dissociation, diagnostic categories, differential recognition, and screening. This section of the workshop will offer a practical and evidence-based introduction to diagnosing and treating post traumatic dissociative disorders. Practical approaches to making a diagnosis – or choosing not to! – will be discussed and some common diagnostic dilemmas will be explored. Foundational principles of treatment will be outlined and illustrated through clinical vignettes, alongside discussion of common challenges and ‘stuck points’ in the treatment of dissociative disorders. This workshop will have an emphasis on treating post traumatic dissociation (rather than dissociation that presents alongside non-trauma disorders) and will have a particular emphasis on dealing with the complex dissociation symptoms of amnesia, identity confusion and identity fragmentation.