Developing a translational psychological treatment for dissociative experiences:

Developing a translational psychological treatment for dissociative experiences: worms, networks, and the matrix

Dissociation is a complex phenomenon in mental health in more ways than one. Even though it is thought to be as common as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a history of acrimonious debate in the field has meant that empirical research into dissociative experiences has languished, falling far behind relative to our understanding of other mental health difficulties. As a result, clinical awareness of the importance of dissociation has suffered, too; despite its associations with self-harm, suicide, and poor treatment outcomes. Whilst dissociation has traditionally been thought of as a post-traumatic symptom (only), Dr Emma Černis is one of only a handful of researchers globally who are shining a light on dissociation as an independent construct in its own right. In this IMH Seminar, Emma will talk through her translational work to date, explaining how she is developing a psychological intervention for dissociation that has lived experience voice at its heart – and she will even explain what dissociation actually is.

Location

This is a hybrid event. 

You can attend in person: Room N327 Gisbert Kapp Building, University of Birmingham (G8 on the Campus Map).  To attend in person please register via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/developing-a-translational-psychological-treatment-tickets-624229165237

You can also attend online via Zoom.  To receive your Zoom link please register in advance via this link https://bham-ac-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Gdc9QMOuQP2swEZ_Z_qvhw#/registration 

About the Speaker

Dr Emma Černis is Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at UoB and part of the Institute for Mental Health (IMH). A qualified clinical psychologist, she also has over a decade of experience working at the cutting edge of the development of psychological interventions for psychosis. In the field of psychosis, Emma supported clinical trials of novel CBT as a trial therapist and trial co-ordinator, and worked across the range of clinical severity and lifespan: from treating At Risk Mental State in 14-year olds, to assessing chronic life-long schizophrenia in older adults. But when a seemingly innocuous question in 2014 drew her into the perplexing world of depersonalisation and dissociation, Emma was led down a path that has (so far) resulted in developing too many psychometric measures, completing a DPhil at Oxford University, and – as of March 2022 – joining the University of Birmingham with the aim of developing a novel psychological intervention of her own.