Conference Agenda
January 30th-February 1st
Orlando, FL
The Creative Corner, sponsored by Pandora’s Project, will be available throughout the
entire conference. Stop by for some creative fun!
The walking labyrinth will also be available throughout the duration of the conference.
The labyrinth, along with walking tips, are provided courtesy of by Alix Amar M.Ed,
MSS, LCSW.
AA meetings will be available but the dates/times/locations are currently TBD (to
be determined).
Be sure to stop by and see our vendors and sponsors in the front area. They will have
many things to offer that may be helpful with your healing journey.
Friday Night – January 30th:
8:30-9:30 PM Welcome Reception
Attendees can enjoy some light complimentary snacks and drinks while meeting and reconnecting with
other attendees. Registration will be open during this time.
6:30-7:30 PM Dealing with Dissociation Survivor Small Group by Nancy Gaulin, PsyD and Paula
Burley, RN of McLean Hospital.
Meet other supporters and share your concerns, hopes, and questions in a safe space.
Conference Agenda
January 30th-February 1st
Orlando, FL
Saturday –January 31st:
*Optional Pre-Conference Activity*
7:30-8:30 AM
All Levels Yoga and Meditation Class by Sareet Taylor LMHC
(you might want to bring a room towel)
7:30-8:30 AM
Dealing with Dissociation Survivor Small Group by Nancy Gaulin, PsyD and
Paula Burley, RN of McLean Hospital.
Meet other survivors, share your concerns, hopes, and questions in a safe space. Pre-registration was
required. Chat and chews will be open to all during lunch.
8:00-9:00 AM
Registration Opens
9:00-9:15 AM
Salon 5-7
Welcome by Jaime Pollack, Founder/Director of An Infinite Mind
9:15-10:45 AM
Dr. Robert Oxnam- Key Note Presentation
Dissociation and Creativity: A Personal Voyage
In my previous keynote talks, I have focused on my experiences coping with DID. In this presentation, I
will explore what has happened in the decade since A Fractured Mind was published in 2005.
Specifically, I will talk about my experiences with art and music, positing some broader thoughts and
theories about dissociation and creativity.
10:45-11:00 AM:
Refreshment and Snack Break
11:00AM-12:30 PM: Breakout Sessions
1. Living Vulnerable by Heidi Spitzig and Jackie Pullum
Candidly discussing the struggles and triumphs of healing from dysfunctional family dynamics, Jackie
and Heidi will talk about how to cultivate effective communication within the dynamics of a supportive
relationship. The issues of intimacy, attachment, and autonomy are commonly faced by survivors of
DID, and Jackie and Heidi will explore what it means to truly be vulnerable in a way that is healing,
supportive, and transformational. We can choose our own families and build the life we deserve!
2. A Context for Healing: Principles for Resolving Dissociative Difficulties by Steven Gold PhD
Dissociative difficulties can be understood as both trauma-related and a result of having been deprived
of resources for learning how to manage the complexities of adult living. Principles for healing from
dissociative difficulties derived from this perspective include: Psychological growth is an interpersonal
process fostered by a collaborative therapeutic relationship. Reducing constantly high levels of distress
can radically reduce the intensity and frequency of dissociation. Dissociation is a universal human
response that one can learn to shift up and down in intensity as needed. Integration follows
spontaneously and naturally from developing and consistently employing capacities for more effective
daily living.
Conference Agenda
January 30th-February 1st
Orlando, FL
3. An Introduction to Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning by Lorisa Lewis MS, LMHC
and Sarah Kelava MS
Equine assisted psychotherapy and learning techniques are rapidly growing in favor worldwide, both as
a stand-alone modality of treatment and as an adjunct modality to on-going psychotherapy for many
differing diagnoses including those pertaining to trauma. This workshop is geared mainly toward
therapists and treating professionals and will provide a didactic overview of the work as well as
photographs and video examples of how the modality is utilized. This workshop is not intended to train
participants in equine therapy but is meant to introduce participants to the modality and clarify common
misperceptions.
4. Healing Together: A Five Year Retrospective by Kevyn Ziemann, MA, Evey, and Chelsea
A survivor, her daughter, and therapist will discuss the change process as it has occurred over the past
five years. We will talk about the influence of the Healing Together conference, and how it has shaped
recovery. We hope to share what we have learned and outline some of the struggles and successes
along the way. We will talk briefly about some of the methods used, some of the novel approaches, and
critical moments.
12:30-1:45 PM
Lunch break provided by An Infinite Mind
12:30-1:45PM
Therapist Small Group Discussion by Nancy Gaulin, PsyD and Paula
Burley, RN of McLean Hospital.
Bring your lunch and join other therapists who want to learn more about how to facilitate a DID group
using the model that was presented last year.
12:30-1:45PM
*Optional Chat and Chews*
Grab your lunch and come join your fellow attendees to discuss what is on your mind.
2:00-3:30 PM: Breakout Sessions
1. Healing Trauma With Horses, a survivor’s perspective by Cheryl Kindred
Horses being prey animals, they constantly read, observe, sense, feel, and react to their environment,
including any changes that take place within it. In this way, horses and trauma survivors “get” each
other. Trauma survivors often live in this same state of hyper-alertness. Equine experiences are
beneficial as part of the therapeutic process for staying grounded, building a "toolbox" of resources, and
developing life skills that are difficult to practice in other therapeutic setting. This workshop allows
participants to learn and see visually the benefits of equine in the healing journey.
2. Coping with DID Together by Dr. Robert Oxnam and Dr. Vishakha Desai
This session will have two themes. First, we will explore how we both dealt with my diagnosis and the
therapy process during the critical first fifteen years of our relationship 1991-2005 – from the diagnosis
to the publication of my psychological autobiography, A Fractured Mind. In this initial section Oxnam
will also show a Sixty Minutes segment produced in 2005 (which will also offer background for those
participants who were not present at the first two Healing Together conferences). The second segment
will focus on the last ten years, giving special attention to the impact of “going public” and to the
manifold ways in which DID affects both of us – often quite positively and sometimes creating new
headaches
Conference Agenda
January 30th-February 1st
Orlando, FL
3. DID and the Journey of Motherhood by Megan and Ashleigh Grooms LMHC
This presentation explores DID and how it relates to the concepts of pre-conception, pregnancy, and
motherhood. The presentation will provide clinical information as well as one mother’s personal
perspective. We will journey from pre-pregnancy through motherhood and show you how to support
yourself and clients through the process.
4. Your Turn For Care: Surviving the aging and death of the adults who harmed you: Part 1 by
Laura Brown PhD
The adult family members who harmed survivors of childhood complex trauma can present new
difficulties and dilemmas for survivors when those perpetrators grow old. Demands on the survivors to
engage in caregiving, even when refused, can activate what had been previously healed wounds or
open new ones. This two-part workshop will address the common concerns of survivors at this life
stage. In the first session we'll discuss dealing with caregiving demands, and look at boundaries, self care and self-protection, and decision-making.
3:30-3:45 PM:
Snack Break Provided by An Infinite Mind
3:45-5:15 PM:
Breakout Sessions
1. Your Turn For Care: Surviving the aging and death of the adults who harmed you: Part 2 by
Laura Brown PhD
The adult family members who harmed survivors of childhood complex trauma can present new
difficulties and dilemmas for survivors when those perpetrators grow old. Demands on the survivors to
engage in caregiving, even when refused, can activate what had been previously healed wounds or
open new ones. This two-part workshop will address the common concerns of survivors at this life
stage. In the second session we'll discuss dealing with issues that arise in the aftermath of a
perpetrator's death.
2. Engaging Multiple Personalities by Dr. David Yeung
The presentation will focus on the importance of the relationship one establishes with alters; including
internal relationships among alters, the relationship issues between therapists and a patient's alters,
and the relationship between spouses and other support network people. In essence the presentation is
what to do, at a kitchen sink level, when engaging alters.
3. Parent and Child Dynamics and Multiplicity by Carol Broad and Helen Broad
This Presentation will offer insight into how D.I.D affects personal relationships in the family, focusing
upon : Role reversal issues, the impact upon family dynamics, experiences of what does and does not
work, learning to understand D.I.D, and the positives of having a parent with D.I.D. Helen will explain
how she realized her mom was a multiple even before Carol realized or was diagnosed. The aim of the
presentation is to share their experiences and answer questions about their own situation in the hope of
helping others understand more about the positive benefits of communication and openness upon
parent/child relations.
Conference Agenda
January 30th-February 1st
Orlando, FL
4. Sculpting Change and Transformation by Kim Snow LMFT and Ruperto Ramos
Using basic grey sculpting clay participants will be led through a series of quick creations culminating
and transforming into a final sculpted presentation of self (or selves). The quick sculpting is designed to
be instinctual in nature, rather than cognitive (thoughtful) to allow for a flow of creative expression.
To allow for processing, this workshop is limited to those with DID and has a session limit of 30
5:30-6:30 PM
7:30-8:30 PM
Supporter/Caregiver Small Group by Nancy Gaulin, PsyD and Paula Burley,
RN of McLean Hospital.
Meet other survivors, share your concerns, hopes, and questions in a safe space. Pre-registration was
required. Chat and chews will be open to all during lunch.
Sunday February 1st
*Optional Pre-Conference Activity*.
7:30-8:30 AM
All Levels Yoga and Meditation Class by Sareet Taylor LMHC
Salon 2
7:30-8:30 AM
Dealing with Dissociation Survivor Small Group by Nancy Gaulin, PsyD and
Paula Burley, RN of McLean Hospital.
Meet other survivors, share your concerns, hopes, and questions in a safe space. Pre-registration was
required. Chat and chews will be open to all during lunch.
9:00-10:30 AM:
Breakout Sessions
1. The Use of Music in Holistic Healing: A Discussion of Tori Amos, Introspection and Song by
Adrienne Trier-Bieniek, PhD
The ways music can be used for self care varies from person to person, yet music is a universal truth.
This presentation/discussion will focus on how music can be helpful when trying to flesh out emotions,
particularly how journaling and activities coupled with music provide an avenue for self discovery. I will
spend some time discussing my research with fans of musician Tori Amos, specifically the ways they
used her songs to help them heal after experiencing trauma and how they used self-care to connect the
holistic practices of listening and applying music in our lives.
2. It Gets Better by Olga Trujillo
Managing the day-to-day can be challenging for many with DID. The healing process can at times
seem bleak and hopeless for survivors and their supports. In this workshop, the presenter, will discuss
the result of her years of healing work and managing her day-to-day. This hopeful look at life with DID
is a reminder that it does get better.
Conference Agenda
January 30th-February 1st
Orlando, FL
3. Becoming More Wholly Your Self by Monica Taffinder LMHC and Deb Croteau
We will take the concept of acceptance and look more closely at the value of each part to the whole
system and at the benefit of parts working together as a cohesive unit. We will give more detail about
Deb’s experience, both in therapy and on her own, as she learned to strengthen her Self by encouraging
the individual parts to become more defined and by learning how to help all of her parts work together
as a whole. We will discuss Deb’s experience of integrating her parts and how living as a wholly
connected person is possible and empowering. This session does include religious material if you are
sensitive to this.
4. Using NLP Techniques to Transform Memories by Sareet Taylor LMHC
Neurolinguistic Programming is a modality of treatment and human enhancement which has been around
since the 1970s. It has many applications, but here the goal is to teach individuals, especially those with
a traumatic past, to gain control over traumatic memories by changing their subjective and sensory
experiences. By doing so, individuals will learn empowering techniques to deal with trauma.
10:30-10:45 AM:
Refreshment and Snack Break
10:45 AM-12:15 PM: Breakout Sessions
1. The Gifts of Having D.I.D. by Amy Wagner
Focus will be on bringing light to the gifts of having dissociative disorders. Amy will help participants to
begin looking at having a dissociative disorder as one of their greatest assets. Presentation will include
examples of gifts that enhanced Amy’s life due to D.I.D. such as personal positive growth, positive
parenting, community service, and career growth. There will be a discussion of the ways participants can
begin identifying their gifts and how to fully use them.
2. Transference is Good: Or, It's OK to Attach to Your Therapist by Cathy Rose
I am a survivor of Mother-Daughter sexual abuse and was diagnosed with DID in 1995. My mother was
my first relationship experience, so I learned that it wasn’t safe to attach to or trust anyone. In order for
us to feel safe enough to talk about the abuse, we needed to form an attachment to our therapist. This
attachment creates transference within the relationship, where interactions bring up feelings from the
past so we can process them. I will provide examples of situations that arose within our therapy
sessions, how we managed the feelings, and what we learned from them.
3. The Silent Telling: Using Art Therapy for Identification and Healing of Ritual Abuse by Kim
Snow, LMFT and Lani Kent
Presentation will cover common themes and symbols in RA survivor's artwork, with cautionary
examples of misinterpreted artwork. Kim will briefly describe the use of art therapy for uncovering and
working through the often fragmented memories of RA victims. Using art to titrate abuse episodes and
pace therapy will be discussed. Using her own healing journey and work with survivors as a foundation,
Lani will share survivor art and demonstrate the medium's of "Restorative
Creativity",expressive/intuitive collage and art journaling, techniques that can be powerfully healing for
the RA survivor. Due to sensitive and highly triggering nature of this topic, this presentation is
designed for mental health professionals. Please take this into account before deciding to
attend.
Conference Agenda
January 30th-February 1st
Orlando, FL
4. Associative Skills: Coping with Change, Managing Feelings by Elizabeth Power M.Ed
What's up with that? Change provokes feelings, and feelings often signal shifts, switches, or
movement internally. Most people who develop dissociative disorders are challenged by change and
go into fight, flight or freeze--so what could be more helpful than having a framework for coping with
change and the feelings it can bring? We'll learn the framework without sharing stories so there's a
lower risk of difficulty for attendees.
12:15-1:30 PM:
Lunch break provided by An Infinite Mind
12:15-1:30
*Optional Chat and Chews*
Grab your lunch and come join your fellow attendees to discuss what is on your mind.
1:45-3:15 PM:
Breakout Sessions
1. Public Speaking, DID & Personal Experience by Olga Trujillo
Participants will explore the mechanics of speaking on their personal experience of DID. The workshop
will explore: considering which speaking engagements to accept or submit for, deciding whether to
charge a fee and how much, and examining presentation styles and tools. The workshop will also
examine the emotional and psychological impact of presenting on your experience and how you might
prepare for the before, during and after of your presentation.
2 Sanity is Relative by Madison Clell
Where else will you see a presenter pace around barefoot and throw chocolates!? Despite possibly
being the silliest trauma-conference presentation ever, I present to you more.....'wisdom'?!?.... divided
into two segments; A) Siblings. No, NOT abusive siblings, but the other - how best to say it - more
complicated ones. How does one deal with these relationships besides nomming sweets? Followed by;
B) The pros and cons of being multi-ple vs. being solo-ple. Advantages to being D.I.D., really? Oh yes,
absolutely and I'm here to spread the word! These hard-won insights will be shared and loudly mocked
during a session whose main purpose is for us to have fun!
3. You Need a Cape: Superheroes and Secret Identities by Willie Freeman
For the non-DID spouse of a survivor, life can be a feature film that is a psychological thriller, a romantic
comedy, an action adventure, a suspense-filled mystery, a sci-fi epic, and a classic horror flick all rolled
into one. Supporters often feel overwhelmed, confused, unsure of their emotions, and conflicted. This is
a very frank, direct, sometimes comical, and potentially triggering (no survivors, please) presentation of
how one husband navigates the adventure of loving AND living with a DID survivor. Supporters will be
given time to ask questions as well.
4. Working Animals, Mindfulness, and Healing by Jackie Pullum
The journey of healing is a huge task, and sometimes a support animal is suggested to make that
journey easier. We will compassionately discuss access rights, some of the laws surrounding the use of
animals for assistance, as well as some of the many modalities where animals help us heal. Jackie will
also talk about the way Mindfulness Based Training Techniques benefit the human as much as the
animal.
3:15-3:30 PM:
Snack Break Provided by An Infinite Mind
3:30- 4:00 PM:
Closing by Jaime Pollack, Founder/Director of An Infinite Mind