UNDERSTANDING DISSOCIATION: An Insider’s View on Helping Dissociative Clients

Jamie Marich · Ph.D.
THIS PROGRAM HAS LIMITED APPROVAL FOR BOTH LIVE AND DISTANCE LEARNING CES. PLEASE CLICK ON THE SPECIFIC CE INFORMATION LINK BELOW FOR FULL PROFESSION/STATE DETAILS.
- Session 1LIVE ZOOM SESSION 1 – August 8 FROM 8-9:30AM PDT – 1.5 CES8-9:30AM PDT1.5 CEs
- Session 2LIVE ZOOM SESSION 2 – August 15 FROM 8-9:30AM PDT – 1.5 CES8-9:30AM PDT1.5 CEs
- Session 3LIVE ZOOM SESSION 3 – August 22 FROM 8-9:30AM PDT – 1.5 CES8-9:30AM PDT1.5 CEs
- Session 4LIVE ZOOM SESSION 4 – August 29 FROM 8-9:30AM PDT – 1.5 CES8-9:30AM PDT1.5 CEs
- Session 5LIVE ZOOM SESSION 5 – September 5 FROM 8-9:30AM PDT – 1.5 CES8-9:30AM PDT1.5 CEs
FOR THOSE WHO ATTEND THE LIVE CALLS THIS PROGRAM HAS LIMITED CE APPROVAL, ON A PER SESSION BASIS, FOR LIVE CE HOURS FOR THE FOLLOWING:
**LIVE CES WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE FOR THE CALLS YOU ATTEND LIVE FOR THE ENTIRE 90-MINUTE DURATION.**
Please note that there is a CE Processing Fee of $25 for the Distance Learning CEs and $5 per session for the Live CEs.
It is the participant’s responsibility to check if their state is approved for CEs. No refunds will be given on CE purchases for failure to check state approval. Please click on the Specific CE Information link below for more details.
Course Details
Jamie Marich, Ph.D., (she/they) describes themselves as a facilitator of transformative experiences. A clinical trauma specialist, expressive artist, writer, performer, short filmmaker, Reiki master, TEDx speaker, and recovery advocate, she unites all of these elements in her mission to inspire healing in others. She is a woman in long-term recovery from an addictive disorder and is living loudly and proudly as a woman with a dissociative disorder with the goal of smashing stigma about dissociation in the mental health field and in society at large.
Jamie is the author of 11 books on EMDR, trauma, arts, and dissociation. Her latest books are Trauma and the 12 Steps: A Complete Guide for Recovery Enhancement, Dissociation Made Simple: A Stigma-Free Guide to Embracing Your Dissociative Mind and Navigating Life, and Healing Addiction with EMDR Therapy: A Trauma-Focused Guide with Dr. Stephen Dansiger. She is the founder of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness and the developer of the Dancing Mindfulness approach to expressive arts therapy and of Yoga for Clinicians.
with Jamie Marich, Ph.D.
MODULE 1: Demystifying Dissociation: Reconceptualizing the Fundamentals
In this module, we will explore our existing understandings of dissociation and gain new perspectives on what dissociation really is. Jamie will share their “coming out” story and what it means to change the paradigm of education around dissociation. Participants will be guided to identify their own lived experiences with dissociation.
We will discuss:
- Dissociation as adaptive, maladaptive, and all of the above
- The importance of phenomenology/lived experience
- Perspectives from contributors on defining dissociation
- Addiction as dissociation model
We will look at the typical profile associated with people with dissociative tendencies and learn about strategies that help them ground themselves. We will focus on particular challenges when working with dissociative clients, and the importance of trauma-informed language when teaching grounding and meditation.
You will learn:
- Grounding and anchoring techniques
- The Dissociative Profile Exercise
- How to use the Dissociative Profile Exercise in clinical settings
- The Wheel & Window of Tolerance
In this module, we will learn to work with parts mapping in a clinical setting. We will focus on languaging when working with dissociative clients and how to find the words that will work with each unique client.
You will learn:
- How to listen to all parts and aspects of your experience
- Why no perfect model exists
- How to identify pronouns for your clients
- How to develop a personal or system-based metaphor for a client
We will examine the concepts of healing and treatment in this module. Starting with the self, we’ll explore what “healing” means to the participant, the relational imperative when working with dissociative clients, and options for treatment.
You will learn:
- Best practices for navigating relational elements
- Treatment possibilities and cautions
- How to work with parts mapping across therapeutic modalities
- A parts journaling exercise
- A movement meditation to help listen to the parts and aspects of the internal world
In the final module, we will discuss how helping professionals can be change agents for the marginalization of dissociative disorders. We will look at how the myths and misrepresentations of dissociation create stigma and discrimination and what you can do to educate the public. You will explore your own biases of dissociation and DID, the impact of social media on public perception, and your role as an advocate for people with dissociation.
You will learn:
- How to recognize myths and biases about dissociation and DID
- The impact of media and social media on dissociation
- How to eliminate stigma and discrimination of people with dissociative identity disorders
- How to be an advocate for people with dissociative disorders
with Jamie Marich, PhD
Agenda
Module 1: Demystifying Dissociation- Reconceptualizing the Fundamentals – Pre-recorded – 1 hour – 1 CE
- Segment 1: Opening Meditation Exercise- Examining My Existing Understanding of Dissociation (10 minutes)
- Segment 2: My “Coming Out” Story and What It Means to Me to Change the Paradigm of Education Around Dissociation (15 minutes)
- Segment 3: Dissociation Defined- Adaptive, Maladaptive, and All of the Above (10-15 minutes)
- Segment 4: The Importance of Phenomenology/Lived Experience (7-10 minutes)
- Segment 5: Perspectives from Dissociation Made Simple Contributors on Defining Dissociation (10-15 minutes)
- Segment 6: Addiction as Dissociation Model (7-10 minutes)
- Segment 7: Guided Meditation: What Lived Experience Means to Me (7-10 minutes)
- Segment 1: Opening Meditation Exercise- Grounding and Anchoring Sampler (7-10 minutes)
- Segment 2: Why People with Dissociative Tendencies Can Struggle with Mindfulness, Meditation, and Embodiment (5-7 minutes)
- Segment 3: Trauma-Informing Language in Teaching Grounding & Meditation (7-10 minutes)
- Segment 4: 101 Ways to Ground (10-15 minutes)
- Segment 5: The Dissociative Profile Exercise, Part I (10 minutes)
- Segment 6: The Wheel & Window of Tolerance (10 minutes)
- Segment 7: The Dissociative Profile Exercise, Part II (10 minutes)
- Segment 8: Using the Dissociative Profile Exercise in Clinical Settings (5-7 minutes)
Module 3: Working with Parts- How to Navigate Aspects of Experience When No Perfect Model Exists – Pre-recorded – 1 hour – 1 CE
- Segment 1: Opening Meditation Exercise- Intention Setting for Listening to All Parts and Aspects of Your Experience (5-7 minutes)
- Segment 2: Language Matters- Other Words Besides Parts or System (7-10 minutes)
- Segment 3: Considering Pronouns (7-10 minutes
- Segment 4: Why No Perfect Model Exists (7-10 minutes)
- Segment 5: Petals of a Rose Film (15 minutes)
- Segment 6: Petals of a Rose Commentary and Introduction to Developing a Personal or System-Based Metaphor (10 minutes)
- Segment 7: Introduction to Parts Mapping (10-15 minutes
- Segment 8: Working with Parts Mapping Clinically (5-7 minutes)
Module 4: Treatment Solutions- Beyond Method and One Size Fits All Approaches – Pre-recorded – 1 hour – 1 CE
- Segment 1: Opening Mediation Exercise- What Healing Means to Me/Us (7-10 minutes)
- Segment 2: The Relational Imperative (10 minutes)
- Segment 3: Best Practices for Navigating Relational Elements (10-15 minutes)
- Segment 4: Treatment Possibilities and Cautionary Tales (10-15 minutes)
- Segment 5: Working with Parts Mapping Across Therapeutic Modalities (10 minutes)
- Segment 6: Parts Journaling Exercise (10-15 minutes)
- Segment 7: Movement Meditation on Listening to the Parts and Aspects of the Internal World (10-15 minutes)
- Segment 1: Opening Meditation Exercise- Body Scan on Navigating Fear (7-10 minutes)
- Segment 2: Myths and Biases About Dissociation and DID (10-15 minutes)
- Segment 3: Media Portrayals of Dissociation and the Impact of Social Media in Recent Controversies (10-15 minutes)
- Segment 4: Language Matters in Eliminating Stigma/Discrimination (10 minutes)
- Segment 5: Becoming an Advocate for Social Justice as a Professional (10 minutes)
- Segment 6: Needs Assessment for Further Training/Interpersonal Work (10 minutes)
- Segment 7: Closing Meditation (5 minutes)
with Jamie Marich, PhD
Live Sessions Agenda
Live Zoom Session 1 – August, 8th – 8-9:30am PDT 1. 5 hours – 1.5 CEs
- Discussion with clinical applications on the module content of Module 1 – Demystifying Dissociation- Reconceptualizing the Fundamentals
- Discussion with clinical applications on the module content of Module 2 – The Dissociative Profile- Implications for Grounding, Stabilization & Preparation
- Discussion with clinical applications on the module content of Module 3 – How to Navigate Aspects of Experience When No Perfect Model Exists
- Discussion with clinical applications on the module content of Module 4 – Treatment Solutions- Beyond Method and One Size Fits All Approaches
Live Zoom Session 5 – September, 5th – 8-9:30am PDT 1. 5 hours – 1.5 CEs
- Discussion with clinical applications on the module content of Module 5 – Eliminating Stigma and Discrimination About Dissociation- The Role of Human Services Professional as Advocate
Understanding Dissociation
Learning Objectives -Distance Learning
(1) To discuss the various definitions of dissociation that originated from Pierre Janet’s original development of the concept
(2) To apply Shapiro’s concepts of adaptive and maladaptive in evaluating how dissociation shows up in societies and in clinical presentations
(3) To define the principles of phenomenology and discuss why listening to lived experience is a legitimate form of inquiry in psychology and behavior health
(4) To summarize the thematic findings from the Dissociation Made Simple project and discuss its relevance for the delivery of behavioral health services
(5) To deliver grounding/anchoring, mindfulness, and other preparation skills in the stabilization stage of treatment using language and approaches that are optimally trauma and dissociation-informed
(6) To discuss how seeking to perfectly learn a “parts model” for working with dissociation may impede effectiveness overall in EMDR therapy, working instead towards integrating wisdom from several different models and adapted to therapy according to client preference and lived experience
(7) Discuss the basic assumptions of the Addiction as Dissociation model and explain how unaddressed dissociation is most likely to show up in addiction treatment
(8) Construct one’s own Dissociative Profile inventory and then assist clients in doing this exercise as part of their treatment plan
(9) Decrease overall fear and increase personal confidence in working with dissociative clients in professional settings, assessing further needs for training, consultation, or personal work
Understanding Dissociation
Learning Objectives -Live
Live Zoom Session 1- Demystifying Dissociation: Reconceptualizing the Fundamentals – August 8, 2023, 8-9:30am PDT
- To discuss the various definitions of dissociation that originated from Pierre Janet’s original development of the concept
- To define the principles of phenomenology and discuss why listening to lived experience is a legitimate form of inquiry in psychology and behavior health
- To discuss the basic assumptions of the Addiction as Dissociation model and explain how unaddressed dissociation is most likely to show up in addiction treatment
Live Zoom Session 2 – The Dissociative Profile: Implications for Grounding, Stabilization & Preparation – August 15, 2023 8-9:30AM PDT
- To deliver grounding/anchoring, mindfulness, and other preparation skills in the stabilization stage of treatment using language and approaches that are optimally trauma and dissociation-informed
- To modify language (with concepts like grounding) to make the delivery of skills as trauma and dissociation-informed as possible
- To construct one’s own Dissociative Profile inventory and then assist clients in doing this exercise as part of their treatment plan
Live Zoom Session 3- Working with Parts: How to Navigate Aspects of Experience When No Perfect Model Exists – August 22, 2023 8-9:30AM PDT
- To discuss the difficulty that many people with dissociative disorders/in the plural community have with the Internal Family Systems (IFS) approach to parts work
- To discuss how seeking to perfectly learn a “parts model” for working with dissociation may impede effectiveness overall in EMDR therapy, working instead towards integrating wisdom from several different models and adapted to therapy according to client preference and lived experience
- To guide a client through a basic parts mapping exercise using the client’s own preferred metaphors and concepts
Live Zoom Session 4-Treatment Solutions: Beyond Method and One Size Fits All Approaches – August 29, 2023, 8-9:30AM PDT
- To apply best practices for individually tailor treatment services to clients needing care for clinically significant trauma-related dissociation
- To navigate the role of the therapeutic relationship, transparency, and boundaries in delivering effective treatment services across modalities
- To implement dissociation-informed treatment plans regardless of one’s primary therapeutic modality, informed by phenomenological inquiry
Module 5- Eliminating Stigma and Discrimination About Dissociation: The Role of Human Services Professional as Advocate -September 5, 2023 8-9:30AM PDT
- To apply Shapiro’s concepts of adaptive and maladaptive in evaluating how dissociation shows up in societies and in clinical presentations
- To summarize the thematic findings from the Dissociation Made Simple project and discuss its relevance for the delivery of behavioral health services
- Decrease overall fear and increase personal confidence in working with dissociative clients in professional settings, assessing further needs for training, consultation, or personal work
Intermediate Mental Health Professionals.
This CE program is a combined effort between the Academy of Therapy Wisdom and the presenter’s company, The Institute for Creative Mindfulness.
To receive the 5 Distance Learning CEs, applicants must complete all CE materials, complete a course evaluation and pass a post-test with a score of 80% or greater. It is the responsibility of the attendee to determine if CE credit offered by The Institute for Creative Mindfulness meets the regulations of their state licensing/certification board.
For Live CEs, Continuing education credit is awarded on a session-by-session basis, with full attendance required for the sessions attended, for a total of 7.5 CEs total (1.5 CEs per session attended). It is the responsibility of the attendee to determine if CE credit offered by The Institute for Creative Mindfulness meets the regulations of their state licensing/certification board.
CostDistance Learning: There is a CE Processing Fee of $25 for the Distance Learning CEs.
Live: There is a CE Processing Fee of $5 for each live session. Evaluation and post-test
An email will be sent to each participant after the conclusion of the course with instructions on how to purchase the CEs, complete the evaluation, complete the post-test (Distance Learning CEs) and obtain the CE Certificate.
Continuing Education credits offered:
Psychology:
Distance Learning: Not available.Live: 1.5 CEs per live session.

The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute for Creative Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Counseling:

Live: 1.5 CEs per live session (up to 7.5 CEs)
The Institute for Creative Mindfulness has been approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6998. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Institute for Creative Mindfulness is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Social Work:
Distance Learning: 5 CE hoursLive: 1.5 CEs per live session (up to 7.5 CEs)
Distance Learning and Live: Institute for Creative Mindfulness, #1735, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Institute for Creative Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 03/16/2021 – 03/16/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 5 Distance Learning continuing education credits and up to 7.5 CE Credits for each full Live Session attended.
State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Distance Learning: 5 CE hoursLive: 1.5 CEs per live session (up to 7.5 CEs)
The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is an approved provider of continuing education by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for counselors, social workers, and marriage/family therapists. Approval: #RCS091306.
This course is $347. You can purchase it here.
If you for some reason are not satisfied with the course you have 7 days from the first live call or from your purchase date to request a cancellation and a refund. Please refer to the policy section for details on how to cancel.
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This program is provided solely by the Academy of Therapy Wisdom and its teachers. There is no conflict of interest for this program.
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Cancellation Policy
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After 7 days from your date of purchase, you will no longer be eligible for a refund and will be responsible for the payment in full.
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