The Wider Circle will have their annual conference on October 23rd.
NORTHERN Ireland charity The Wider Circle will re-launch a professionals book on trauma at their forthcoming conference. The event titled 'PTSD, Trauma, Stress & Resilience: Revolutionary approaches to treating Trauma and PTSD' will take place on October 23 at the Corrs Corner Hotel, Newtownabbbey.
During the conference organisers will relaunch a new and updated version of Counselling The Abused, the professional handbook by Eamon McCreave. Dugald McCullough, chairman of The Wider Circle said the book, first written in 1996 has been updated with new information.
He added: "Counselling The Abused was intended as a work to assist counsellors in their efforts to bring healing to survivors of sexual abuse but because of its gentle and easily understood prose it became a self help manual and preferred reading for victims themselves. "So many saw themselves in the succinct passages; myths exploding before their eyes; gaining insight into how their horrors came about, the wider societal context and how they should be counselled. "What makes Counselling The Abused different from other great publications for survivors is that the format allows the reader to dip in and out of the pages and go back and forth through the chapters and feel the power of resolution as they begin to regain control over their lives."
Attendees at 'PTSD, Trauma, Stress & Resilience: Revolutionary approaches to treating Trauma and PTSD' will learn more about the McCreave Model of treatment and build an understanding of the biology and research on the impact of trauma and the development of PTSD.
Speaking of the relaunch of the book, Eamon McCreave said: "I'm absolutely delighted to hear that Counselling The Abused is not only still being used by The Wider Circle but has now been updated and is being made available to survivors and professionals alike."
Keynote speakers include Ciaran Mulholland, who amongst other posts is the Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry at Queen's University Belfast and Consultant Psychiatrist with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. Dugald McCullough, will host proceedings and introduce each session, which will include full details of the McCreave Model and the opportunity to ‘feel’ how it works.
Dugald said: “This is an event for anyone working with people who have experienced trauma including psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychologists, counsellors, social workers, nurses, carers, mental health practitioners, workers in emergency services, therapists, teachers, students, publicans, GP’s, scientists, researchers. And, for anyone who has an interest in developing their skills in this field and those who are serious about helping others on their healing journey.”
A series of workshops will take place at the event including an Art Workshop from Brian Wallace, who used art to help recover from PTSD and is now a qualified therapist and Frank Holmes, the artist in residence at Muckamore Abbey hospital. Also attending is the team from ‘Connect the dots to the ACEs’. Cheryl Smyth will introduce and speak about the acclaimed documentary film RESILIENCE: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope which chronicles the birth of a new movement among paediatricians, therapists, educators and communities, who are using cutting-edge science to disrupt cycles of violence, addiction and disease. Attendees will also gain points towards continuing professional development.
Tickets are available from Eventbrite and GetInvited. Counselling The Abused will be available at the event priced £19.99.
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