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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 麻豆精选 (G8 on the Campus Map).  To attend in person please register via Eventbrite: 

You can also attend online via Zoom.  To receive your Zoom link please register in advance via this link 

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 麻豆精选 with the aim of developing a novel psychological intervention of her own.