In this training you will explore our Addiction as Dissociation Model (ADM), Path of the Wounded Healer (PWH), and Meeting Area Assessment and Screening (MASA). As a part of our programming, we developed our MASA script and qualitative setup for assessing and screening for dissociation and addictions. We have found the “Meeting Area” to be the best way to understand what is unconsciously occurring, to provide real-time feedback for the client to increase self-awareness, and to help lower treatment resistance. This 1-day training provides an overview and foundational information. For willing and knowledgeable participants, it offers the seeds to provide transformational experiences for yourself and the people you serve. This training is intended for anyone working in education, humanities, human resources, human services, healthcare, and all fields of medicine, psychology, and healing. Recovery and Self-Help communities are particularly welcome to attend.

In our doctoral research, we explored the intersectionality of trauma, dissociation, and addiction. Out of this, we believe we have provided a more accurate definition of what the unconscious, trauma, dissociation, and addiction are and we are now offering the MASA for all providers and the recovery community to consider. MASA is a hybrid of the Dissociative Table and common coping skills (Container and Calm Place) found in many different approaches and therapies. We also give guidance on our Two Containers, Photo Album, and Bulk Blink. These skills are performed in a particular order to help screen and assess for current dissociative and addictive dynamics. We feel that MASA is the best humanistic and qualitative screening and assessment tool for dissociative and addictive presentations; it provides everyone involved with an opportunity to become more self-aware of where psychological material resides and how to navigate it.

The combination of ADM and MASA help provide a clear line between what is normal and what is pathological. Our PWH phase model of care gives guidance on how and when trauma resolution methods should be done. MASA is how we obtain unconscious informed consent before doing ANY treatments, providing any care, or taking any medicines (particularly psychedelics). We teach participants how to find the line between normative and pathological presentations with our MASA script. We suggest that true pathology is really sustained dysregulation (dissociative/addictive) and that the absence of unconscious informed consent is what contributes to low treatment outcomes and care resistance. We teach participants how to find the line between normative and pathological presentations and allow your healer’s path to unfold in front of you.

*DISCLAIMER: In this offering, we invite participants to explore their dissociative profiles to better understand dissociation, addiction, and healing. Wounded Healers Institute (WHI) provides state-dependent learning to help providers become knowledgeable in learning from and working with therapeutic dissociation, altered states of consciousness, normative to clinical dissociation, and universal addictions. As we define in our foundational literature (ADM), these states of consciousness are readily accessible for clinicians to support and develop their use of therapeutic dissociation. Our research points toward dissociation making us more grounded, inducing endogenous states of healing, and creating the foundation for supporting our ongoing physical and mental health. Our trainings invite participants to have the option of taking cannabis products as a part of their learning process with WHI. 4 hours of group consultation are needed to successfully complete this training. If this information or these topics are not familiar to you, we require that clinicians continue with consultation before using MASA themselves with people/clients/patients. If required, additional consultations at the participant’s expense may be required before successful completion. Our interest is in protecting future clients by educating providers on how to properly use MASA to obtain unconscious informed consent before doing ANY treatments, care, or taking medicines.

 

Educational Goals

·      Participants will learn about the historical context of dissociative-informed care, psychology, and social justice.

·      Participants will increase their knowledge of the clinical framework and assessment and screening of dissociation and addiction.

·      Participants will explore current trends in addiction-informed care.

·      Participants will learn about the ADM, PWH and MASA.

·      Participants will increase their understanding of our dissociation model to help clients coping with dissociation in addiction care.

Educational Objectives

·      Upon completion, participants will be able to apply MASA to their personal and professional life.

·      Participants will be able to conceptualize ADM in their personal and professional life.

·      Participants will be able to name at least 3 considerations of dissociation and addiction-informed care.

 

Schedule (EST):

830am – 10am – ADM/PWH Orientation

10 -11am – Dissociation-Informed Care and Addiction-Informed Care

11-11:15am – BREAK

11:15-12:30 – MASA (Demonstration)

12:30-1pm – BREAK

1-2pm – Debriefing

2-3pm – MASA Script

3-3:15 – BREAK

3:15-4pm – MASA Context

            4-5pm – MASA Review and Closure

Dates: Every Second Wednesday

Cost: $300.00 (Early bird) $400.00 (1-month before training date.)

RSVP HERE (Minimum of 5 people needed for a live training to run, otherwise online version is available.)

References:

Marich, J. (2014). Trauma made simple: Competencies in assessment, treatment, and working with survivors. Eau Claire, WI: PESI Publishing.

Marich, J. (2023). Dissociation made simple: A stigma-free guide to embracing your dissociative mind and navigating daily life. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

Marich, J. & O’Brien, A. (2018). Demystifying dissociation: A clinician’s guide. Addiction Professional. 16(4). Retrieved from https://www.addictionpro.com/article/mindfulness-and-psychotherapies/demystifying-dissociation-clinicians-guide

Marich, J. (2020). Trauma and the twelve steps: An inclusive guide to enhancing recovery, 2nd ed. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

O’Brien, A. (2023). Addiction as trauma-related dissociation: A Phenomenological investigation of the addictive state [Doctoral Dissertation, International University For Graduate Studies].

O’Brien, A. (2024a). Healer and Healing: The re-education of the healer and healing professions as an advocation. Re-educational and Training Manual and Guide. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/

O’Brien, A. (2024b). Diagnostic Privilege: Meta-Critical Analysis. In Healer and Healing: The re-education of the healer and the healing profession as an advocation. Re-educational and Training Manual and Guide. Appendix 2. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/courses/addiction-as-dissociation-model-course/

O’Brien, A. (2024c).  Meta-Critical Analysis: The “Science” of Pseudoscience. In Healer and Healing: The re-education of the healer and the healing profession as an advocation. Re-educational and Training Manual and Guide. Appendix 3. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/courses/addiction-as-dissociation-model-course/

O’Brien, A. (2024d). Moral-Ethics. In Healer and Healing: The re-education of the healer and healing professions as an advocation. Re-educational and Training Manual and Guide. Chapter 14. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/

O’Brien, A. (2024e). Path of the Wounded Healers for Thrivers: Perfectionism, Altruism, and Ambition Addictions; Re-education and training manual for Abusers, Activists, Batterers, Bullies, Enablers, Killers, Narcissists, Offenders, Parents, Perpetrators, and Warriors. Re-Education and Training Manual and Guide. Albany, NY: Wounded Healers Institute. Retrieved at woundedhealersinstitute.org/