Who is the conference for?

The conference is of direct and substantial relevance to health, counselling, legal, educational, judicial, media, welfare, pastoral, defence, emergency services, health insurance, academic and political communities as well as people who access services for well-being or mental health.

Conference Goals

The conference aims to provide up-to-date scientific research, treatment, resources and networking forums to keep abreast of significant developments in traumatology and specifically traumatic dissociation. This will increase skills to assist in prevention and awareness of abuse, the impact of trauma and options for healing. Delegates will be able to attend clinical, theory and research presentations. Opportunities will be provided for delegates to exchange ideas and information and develop their professional networks by attending presentations, workshops, panel and facilitated discussions, as well as through social avenues. Interaction amongst delegates and contributors will assist in the important goal of drawing together the range of diverse associations and groups united in their common focus.


Participants will be able to:

be informed of the most recent research in the emerging neurobiology of traumatic dissociation, memory and perception and the clinical and medico-legal implications

be informed of the critical relevance of traumatic dissociation and trauma responses to any health care or related professional providing services to the public in relation to psychological or physical health

describe the contribution of attachment theory, structural dissociation, and a range of therapeutic modalities related to trauma and dissociation

delineate the ways in which disrupted attachment in childhood impact on personality development and the double binds manifested by dissociative patients/clients regarding parents/abusers

acquire an overview of the range of dissociative phenomena and disorders as well as the circumstances and other disorders most commonly found in association with them

form a working definition of selfhood and an appreciation of how trauma, neglect or abuse may impair its development

link the phase orientated models of treatment of those with complex post-
traumatic/dissociative disorders to the psychological, attachment, cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic rationales that underlie such interventions

form clear diagnostic distinctions between patients/clients with dissociative disorders and those with schizophrenia, at the same time having an awareness of a clinical group that manifest phenomena typically associated with both conditions

appreciate and work with the link between being harmed and harming self and/or others emotionally, physically and sexually

utilize a range of therapeutic modalities

define ethics and procedures for working with dissociative disorders and trauma

describe the connection between psychosis and dissociation

form an awareness of the diagnostic criteria for dissociative identity disorder (D.I.D.) and the common ways in which the condition can present to the primary care physician in different societies

understand key medico-legal issues in the field of trauma and abuse

understand the complexity of trauma responses and dissociative processes and typical failures to identify these

recognize and address issues of self-care

address controversial issues from an ethical and responsible therapeutic position including abuse by women/mothers, of men/boys; child sex rings; paedophile groups; organized sadistic abuse and torture

experience the resilience, inspiration and humanity conveyed through a children's choir and the art work of clients/patients

Continuing Education Accreditation

- Australian Association of Social Workers
Double points per hour of learning time. Appellation No. 0011

- Australian Psychological Society
Conference: This activity has been endorsed and will attract 18 Generalist Professional Development points for APS College Members. Pre and Post Conference Workshops: These activities have been endorsed and will attract 5 Generalist Professional Development points per workshop for APS College Members.

- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
The RACGP QA&CPD Program have approved this activity. Allocated 2 Points/Hour per session attended. TOTAL CPD POINTS: Maximum of 40 (Group 2)

- Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Participants in the RANZCP MOPS Program can claim 2 points per hour to a maximum of 12 points per day under the category 'educational meetings' for participation in this meeting. Some verification of attendance and participation should be retained, such as program of day, receipt etc.

Art Display

Internal Rescue: finding and healing another part of me

Delegates are invited to visit an extraordinary and moving Art Display. It depicts the resilience and healing power of the human spirit through the work of clients/patients healing from traumatic experiences. A generous donation by an artist who wishes to remain anonymous, has made this outstanding part of the conference possible by way of contributing towards costs to exhibit the works. Towards covering all costs, a modest fee will be charged for the public to view the Art Display. The Delphi Centre will donate any profit to The Gatehouse Centre at The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.

Art Display Disclaimer: Some works are graphic and may be distressing. The content and material presented may be explicit and considered contaminating and therefore potentially damaging for a given client's recovery process or lawsuits. Any clients attending are advised to consult with their health care professionals. The Delphi Centre Pty Ltd, presenters, art work contributors and others associated with this conference hereby disclaim any and all responsibility and liability for any adverse or damaging effects which may be asserted or claimed to have arisen either directly or indirectly as a result of participation in viewing this Art Display or related catalogue. The views of the contributors, presenters and convenors or recommended authors may not always be endorsed by each other.

Selected Presentations on CD

Some of the presentations will be available on CD for purchase on site (these will not include sections where films, tapes or other such material is presented and where recording would be a copyright infringement or violate conditions under which permission has been granted). Please note: strictly NO personal electronic recording of any description is permitted for any reason.