CPD Summary
Dissociative Disorders 101 is a practical, skills focused CPD training designed to build clinician confidence in recognising and responding to dissociative presentations in everyday practice.
Dissociative identities are frequently overlooked or mislabelled, despite being a common adaptive response in the context of complex trauma. This interactive workshop supports participants to understand dissociation as a continuum, identify common and subtle presentations of switching and state changes, and strengthen assessment confidence through observation, history taking, and screening considerations.
Participants will also explore practical therapeutic responses for when dissociation shows up in session, with a focus on pacing, stabilisation, and relational care. The training includes applied learning through case discussion, video observation, and a guided practicum to begin collaborative parts mapping, with a curious, system-affirming approach.
What participants will be able to do:
On completion of this training, participants will have developed foundational competence to recognise dissociative presentations, including subtle switching and state changes, respond safely and effectively in session, and commence collaborative parts mapping using trauma-informed, system-affirming practice principles.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe dissociation as an adaptive response, and as a continuum of experience, and explain how stigma and misunderstanding can shape client safety and disclosure
- Identify common presentations of dissociative identities in clinical practice, including subtle switching and state changes that may be overlooked.
- Use practical strategies for responding when dissociation shows up in session, with a focus on pacing, stabilisation, and collaborative safety.
- Apply screening, observation, and history-taking principles to strengthen clinical confidence when dissociation is suspected.
- Begin collaborative parts mapping in a system affirming way that supports internal safety, functional multiplicity, and therapeutic trust.