4^th International Conference on Mental Health & Human Resilience April 26-27, 2018 Rome, Italy

Biography:

Yael Mazor working at Amitim program, The Israel Association of Community Centers (IACC), Haifa University, Israel.

Abstract:

The promotion of recovery is a central goal of public mental health systems (Power, 2009). Recovery includes the pursuit of active living (i.e., enjoyable, expressive, and meaningful leisure experiences) (Iwasaky et al., 2010; 2014), and meaningful inter-personal relationships (Iwasaky et al., 2015). While most social recreation programs for people with serious mental illness (SMI) are segregated (Adler- Ben Dor & Savaya, 2007), the Amitim program (by the Israeli Ministry of Health and the Israeli Association of Community Center) offers an innovative model of social and recreation oriented rehabilitation for people with SMI within the general community (Halperin & Boz-Mizrahi, 2009). Over the last decade Amitim program has reached 75 cities nationwide and gives service to 3000 people with SMI.

Amitim aims to achieve two main goals; (1) the promotion of personal recovery via meaningful leisure activities in the community; through (a) monthly meetings with a mental health professional within the community center (non-stigmatic facility) and creating with the person with SMI a "tailor made suit" to comply with his personal social recovery objectives. In addition, the person with SMI takes part in (b) leisure and volunteering activities within the community, whereby he practices his social skills and participates in meaningful activities. Lastly, the person is entitled for (c) a leisure-oriented scholarship that enables him to reach his social -oriented aspirations. The second main goal of Amitim is the (2) promotion of social change and community resilience with and by people with SMI, through lectures and workshops to the general community concerning mental disability and stigma, thus increasing partnership and resilience in the community.

To the best of our knowledge, Amitim represents a "one of a kind" model that enables both social-oriented recovery for people with SMI in their community, alongside the promotion of community resilience and social change.

References

Dor, I. A. B., & Savaya, R. (2007). Community rehabilitation for persons with psychiatric disabilities: Comparison of the effectiveness of segregated and integrated programs in Israel. Psychiatric rehabilitation journal, 31(2), 139. doi: 10.2975/31.2.2007.139.148

Halperin, G., & Boz-Mizrahi, T. (2008). The Amitim program: an innovative program for the social rehabilitation of people with mental illness in the community. The Israel journal of psychiatry and related sciences, 46(2), 149-156.

Iwasaki , Y. , Coyle , C. , & Shank , J. ( 2010). Leisure as a context for active living, recovery, health, and life quality for persons with mental illness in a global context . Health Promotion International , 25 , 483 – 494 . doi:10.1093/heapro/daq037

Iwasaki, Y., Coyle, C., Shank, J., Messina, E., Porter, H., Salzer, M., ... & Ryan, A. (2014). Role of leisure in recovery from mental illness. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 17(2), 147-165. doi: 10.1080/15487768.2014.909683

Iwasaki, Y., Messina, E., Shank, J., & Coyle, C. (2015). Role of leisure in meaning-making for community-dwelling adults with mental illness: Inspiration for engaged life. Journal of Leisure Research, 47(5), 538.

Biography:

Tahmineh Mousavi has joined Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences in February, 2017. Before joining to TUMS, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Cognitive Science and Technology Council of Iran and a Visiting Scholar at Centre for Relationship Based Care in the Department of Family Practice at University of British Columbia. She completed her PhD at University of British Columbia in Rehabilitation Sciences. Her research interests include Disability Studies, Health Care Ethics, Health Policy, Global Health, Social Justice, Occupational Therapy, Community Based Rehabilitation, Client Centered Practice, Mental Health, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Qualitative Research.

Abstract:

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is one of the most common disabilities that increased over the last two decades. The prevalence of ASD is between 1% and 2% for all racial groups. Different types of interventions for individuals with ASD were recommended from medical interventions to applied behavioral analysis, developmental and family-based interventions. The interventions have different goals, including improving communication and social skills to training to support family members. Individuals with ASD are more likely to experience failure in their basic capabilities, as described by Nussbaum (2006), including living a normal life expectancy, being healthy, being able to move freely from place to place, being able to experience self-expressive and creative activities, having attachments to people and things, being able to plan for one’s life, being able to show concern for other human beings and engage in various forms of social life, being able to live with concern for and in relation to the world of nature, being able to laugh, play, to enjoy recreational activities, being to participate effectively in political choices that govern their lives; having the right to political participation and having the right to seek employment on an equal basis with others. Individuals with ASD have needs in the areas covered by all the central human functional capabilities. The purpose of this study is to develop a conceptual model of capabilities-based interventions for individuals with ASD.

Recent Publications

1. Mousavi T (2017) Central human functional capabilities of children with autism spectrum disorders: a qualitative research. Mental Health in Family Medicine 13:495-501.

2. Nussbaum M (2000) Women and human development: the capabilities approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN-13 978-0-511-33743-7.

3. Martha C Nussbaum (2003) Capabilities as fundamental entitlements: Sen and Social Justice. Feminist Economics 9(2-3):33-59.

4. Martha C Nussbaum (2006) Frontiers of justice: disability, nationality, species membership. Cambridge. MA: Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674024106.

Biography:

Karin Österman has completed her PhD in Developmental Psychology. She is an Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology at Åbo Akademi University and Adjunct Professor (Docent) of Social Psychology at Helsinki University and a Licensed Psychologist. She is also the Director of Master’s Degree Programme on Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research at Åbo Akademi University, Vasa, Finland. Her research includes studies on physical punishment of children, domestic aggression, child abuse, conflict resolutions and temper tantrums.

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate sex differences in perpetration of low intensity intimate partner aggression in South Sudan, to compare levels of perpetration, victimization and further to test whether the revised gender symmetry theory (Archer, 2018) could be applicable in an African country. A questionnaire was filled in by 302 females and 118 males in South Sudan, the mean age was 22.5 years (SD 8.4) for women, and 25.6 years (SD 7.8) for men. Intimate partner aggression was measured with self-reports using both the perpetrator and the victim versions of the Direct Indirect Aggression Scales for Adults (DIAS-Adult; Österman & Björkqvist, 2009), which measures seven types of aggressive behaviours. The results showed no significant difference between females and males on perpetration of five out of seven types of aggression; physical, verbal and nonverbal aggression, as well as direct and indirect aggressive social manipulation. For females, levels of victimization and perpetration of aggression were equally high; this was the case for all seven types of aggression while, for males, victimization was significantly higher than perpetration on three types of aggression. The results provide support for the revised gender symmetry theory in an African developing country.

Recent Publications:

1. Ndoromo O, Österman K and Björkqvist K (2017) Sex differences in victimization from low intensity intimate partner aggression in South Sudan. European Journal of Social Sciences Education and Research.

2. Nazar N, Österman K and Björkqvist K (2017) Religious tolerance, views on gender equality and bellicose attitudes: A study among Pakistani students from three types of schools. European Journal of Social Sciences Education and Research.

3. Khademi J, Björkqvist K and Österman K (2017) A study of mental wellbeing of imprisoned women in Iran. European Journal of Social Sciences Education and Research.

4. Banyanga J D, Björkqvist K and Österman K (2017) Trauma inflicted by genocide: Experiences of the Rwandan Diaspora in Finland. Cogent Psychology.

5. Ndoromo O, Österman K and Björkqvist K (2017) Domestic violence as a risk factor for children ending up sleeping in the streets of post-war South Sudan. Journal of Child and Adolescent Behaviour.

Biography:

Hope Virgo is recently working at Shaw Mind Foundation UK

Abstract:

For four years, author managed to keep it hidden, keeping dark secrets from friends and family. But then, on 17th November 2007, her world changed forever. She was admitted to a mental health hospital. Her skin was yellowing; her heart was failing. She was barely recognizable. Forced to leave her family and friends, the hospital became her home. Over the next year, at her lowest ebb, she faced the biggest challenge of her life. She had to find the courage to beat her anorexia. She will share her harrowing but inspiring story giving you an understanding of how she went from being in the grips of anorexia to gaining back control. She will tell us how she fought from rock bottom to beat the friend that had controlled and nearly destroyed her life. The story of her recovery will not only inspire countless others and give everyone hope that recovery is possible but it will help break mental health stigma further. She will offer insight into how we can improve the lives for people with eating disorders and other mental health problems. She will share her thoughts on the journey to diagnosis and what we can do practically as individuals and organizationally to support those suffering with eating disorders. 

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Dorit Segal-Engelchin is an Associate Professor. She is the Head of the Spitzer Department of Social Work and Co-director of the Center for Women’s Health Studies and Promotion, Ben- Gurion University of the Negev. Her research interests include diverse aspects of women's health and well-being, stress and coping, and evaluation of art-based interventions designed to reduce stress among people exposed to disasters.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Mental health professionals (MHPs) are among the first responders to address the needs of traumatized people following exposure to terrorist attacks and war-related stressors.  In Southern Israel, MHPs encounter a double exposure to war-related trauma as community members and professionals providing service to terror victims. Research on MHPs exposed to a shared war reality show that they are subject to increased emotional pressure, family conflict and an increased risk for PTSD and vicarious symptoms.   The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an art-based intervention in reducing stress among Israeli MHPs who shared war-related stress with their clients during Operation “Protective Edge” (2014).

Methodology: The art-based intervention included drawing pictures that were later shared in small groups related to three topics: (1) emotions and thoughts related to the war situation; (2) resources that may help them cope with the war-related stressors; and, (3) integration of the stressful image and the resource picture.  To examine the intervention effect, the Subjective Units of Distress (SUDs) values of 47 MHPs were measured using a pre-post design.

Findings: The study results indicate that MPHs' initial stress levels significantly decreased on completion of the intervention.  

Conclusion & Significance: The study results show the efficacy of an easily implemented art-based tool for stress reduction among MHPs operating in shared war conditions.  Implications for future research and for interventions designed for MHPs operating in additional shared disasters will be discussed.

Recent Publications

1. Baum N. Professionals’ double exposure in the shared traumatic reality of wartime: Contributions to professional growth and stress. Brit J Soc Work. 2014; 44(8): 2113–34.
2. Boscherino AJ, Figley RC, Adams ER. Compassion fatigue following the September 11 terrorist attack: a study of secondary trauma among New York city social workers. Int J Emerg Ment Health. 2004; 6(2): 57–66.
3. Craig CD, Sprang G. Compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and burnout in a national sample of trauma treatment therapists. Anxiety Stress Coping. 2010; 23(3): 319-39.
4. Finklestein M, Stein E, Greene T, Bronstein I, Solomon Z. Posttraumatic stress disorder and vicarious trauma in mental health professionals. Health Soc Work. 2015; 40(2): e25-e31. doi: 10.1093/hsw/hlv026
5. Huss, E., Sarid, O., & Cwikel, J. (2010). Using art as a self regulating tool in a war situation: A model for social workers. Health Soc Wor. 2010; 35(3); 201-209.
6. Shamai M, Ron P. Helping direct and indirect victims of national terror: Experiences of Israeli social workers. Qual Health Res. 2009; 19: 42–54.

Biography:

Suman Tyagi is a PhD qualified psychiatric social work clinician with over two decades of recognized, rich and diverse specialist experience within acute hospital and community setting. She is a proven coach, supervisor and a passionate educator who is regularly invited to deliver training programs, lectures and awareness-raising seminars by organizations in the mental health fields. She is a member of Clinical Advisory Committee, Older Person Mental Health (OPMH) Policy Unit-Ministry of Health and a Chair Person of External Advisory 

Abstract:

Biography:

Nadira Khamker is a Psychiatrist in Adult Mental Health at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She has a special interest in prevention, treatment and education of women’s mental health. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD which included a mixed method study entitled: “Psychiatric sequelae and mental health aftercare experiences of women who had a life threatening event during pregnancy and those with uncomplicated pregnancies: an explorative-descriptive study.”

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Maternal mortality is a major public health problem with 86% of deaths occurring in developing countries. Recognition of severe complications is important as these can have adverse consequences for women’s health physically and mentally. Mental health is a neglected topic and that of women’s mental health even more so. Limited attention is paid to these women in the South African public health sector. The purpose of the study was to describe experiences of women with a life-threatening event in pregnancy compared to women with uncomplicated pregnancies, to determine the risk of developing psychiatric complications and the impact of severe obstetric complications on the postpartum mental health.

Methodology: A mixed method study is conducted in a parallel convergent manner. Women were interviewed at four time intervals; after delivery, six weeks, three months and six months postpartum. The study consisted of a quantitative arm which entailed completion of self-rating questionnaires, relevant psychiatric scales and the WHO disability assessment schedule. The qualitative arm consisted of case studies of 16 purposefully sampled participants from both groups.

Results: 89 participants were enrolled. Psychiatric complications were self-limiting; those with life-threatening complications did not experience post-traumatic stress disorder and women presented with atypical symptoms including somatic, sleep and memory disturbances. Live experiences included, fear of impending death, guilt feelings, loss, fear of rejection and abandonment. A gradual acceptance of their situations, the will to survive and ability to cope in-spite of adversity, a strong belief in god and an unwavering faith was prominent. Women displayed the ability to cope and adapt despite experiencing adversity, with religious practice and belief expressed by the participants contributing to resilience.

Conclusion: Maternal mental health is multifaceted and the presence of psychiatric pathology can not only be viewed from a biological perspective as psychosocial elements form an integral part of presentation. Women display various coping mechanisms to deal with adversity.

Recent Publications

1. Ribeiro P S, Jacobson K H, Mathers C D and Garcia-Moreno C (2008) Priorities for women’s health from the global burden of disease study. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics 102:82-90.

2. Shen C and Williamson J B (1999) Maternal mortality, women’s status and economic dependency in less developed countries: a cross-national analysis. Social Science and Medicine 49(2):197-214.

3. Miranda J J and Patel V (2005) Achieving the millennium development goals: Does mental health play a role? PLOS.

4. Filippi V, Goufodji S, Sismandis C, Kanhonou L, Fottrell E et al. (2010) Effects of severe obstetric complications on women’s health and infant mortality in Benin. Tropical Medicine and International Health 15(6):733-42.

Biography:

Bello Utoblo has studied mental healthcare and completed PhD in Mental Health from School of Health and Community Studies-Leeds Beckett University, UK. He is keen on developing the understanding of the cause of schizophrenia and approaches to its recovery. He has built this current approach through exploration of the experiences of male service users and their mental healthcare professionals within a community in Northern Nigeria. This approach highlights the occurrence of a transformation in men and women roles in contemporary Nigeria and provides insights into the link between gender as a social factor and men’s management of their recovery in modern African context.

Abstract:

Biography:

Janell Kwok has research experience in the fields of psychology, neurosurgery and communication. She works closely with both medical and allied health professionals to improve patient care management and has international research collaborations. Her interests include clinical neuropsychology, neuroimaging, and cognitive rehabilitation after trauma or injury.

Abstract:

Introduction

Acute brain injury (ABI) patients have to learn new adaptation skills during recovery. Literature on stroke survivors differ in effectiveness of interventions as they are not comprehensive enough to address this complex neurological condition (Cheng, Chair, Chau, 2014). However, recovery can potentially promote development of insight skills to effectively cope with post-injury deficits. We developed a learned insight questionnaire (LIQ) to understand post-ABI patients through characterisation of attitudinal and adaptation trends in recovery.

Methodology

We administered the LIQ, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) to 15 post-ABI patients in a pilot study. Patients were high-functioning, attending an enhanced clinic, and were previously diagnosed with spontaneous brain haemorrhage between 2014-2017. The average age was 53.8 years old (10 females and 5 males). Reliability analysis showed α=.814 for 44 items on the LIQ. We ran a principal component analysis and coefficient values of 0.6 were suppressed. 11 components were extracted, accounting for 95.54% of the dataset.

Findings

Extracted LIQ components illustrated several latent variables in this cohort: new possibilities, internal locus of control, anxiety regulation, social emphasis, positive outlook towards faith, increased optimism, flexibility in changing perspective, ambiguity tolerance and willingness for disclosure. Specific items also significantly correlated with HADS and PTGI factors.

Results and Conclusion

Results show three specific characteristics of this patient cohort: proactive self-management (new possibilities and perspective change); dependence on social community, and faith. Increased quality of life studies show presence of similar factors which support these results, such as development of coping strategies (Mierlo et al.,2017; Tielemans et al., 2015; Visser, Aben, Heijenbrok-Kal, Busschbach, Ribbers, 2014), increased social engagement and decreased depressive symptoms (Tse et al., 2017; Visser et al., 2015). Further research is required to test different ABI cohorts and validate the learned insight questionnaire.

References

1. Cheng, H. Y., Chair, S. Y., & Chau, J. P.-C. (2014). The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for stroke family caregivers and stroke survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Patient Education and Counseling, 95(1), 30–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2014.01.005

2. Mierlo, M., van Heugten, C., Post, M. W. M., Hoekstra, T., & Visser-Meily, A. (2017). Trajectories of health-related quality of life after stroke: results from a one-year prospective cohort study. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2017.1292320

3. Tielemans, N. S., Schepers, V. P., Visser-Meily, J. M., Post, M. W., & Van Heugten, C. M. (2015). Associations of proactive coping and self-efficacy with psychosocial outcomes in individuals after stroke. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 96(8), 1484–1491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2015.04.009

4. Tse, T., Yusoff, S. Z. B., Churilov, L., Ma, H., Davis, S., Donnan, G. A., & Carey, L. M. (2017). Increased work and social engagement is associated with increased stroke specific quality of life in stroke survivors at 3 months and 12 months post-stroke: A longitudinal study of an Australian stroke cohort. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 24(6), 405–414. https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2017.1318339

5. Visser, M. M., Heijenbrok-Kal, M. H., Spijker, A. V., Oostra, K. M., Busschbach, J. J., & Ribbers, G. M. (2015). Coping, problem solving, depression, and health-related quality of life in patients receiving outpatient stroke rehabilitation. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 96(8), 1492–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2015.04.007

Biography:

Psychologist and Master in Psychopathology and Health. He completed doctoral studies in the Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment of the UNED, related to Stress and the Immune System, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Moobing. Chief of Brigade in the Forest Fire Service of the Generalitat Valenciana, with more than 20 years of experience. With multidisciplinary training at the Master's level in areas such as: Occupational Health and Safety, Emergency Management, Sport Psychology, Human Resources Management, Mediation, Conflict Resolution and Coaching. Postgraduate in Environmental Consulting and Criminology. As a psychologist, he collaborates with several private clinical centers. Also, with several companies and institutions in the area of training in Psychology in Emergencies and Human Resources management. He is Professor at the University of Valencia in the Master in "Intervention and operational coordination in emergencies and catastrophes" and other postgraduate courses on emergencies. Director and President of the International Scientific-Professional Committee of

the National Symposium on Forest Fires (SINIF). He is part of the Editorial Board of several international scientific journals and published numerous articles on forest fires, stress, psychosocial risks and emotional trauma, mainly in relation to emergency services and natural disasters. Member of the Spanish Society for the Study of Anxiety and Stress (SEAS), and the Spanish Association of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology (AEPCP).

Abstract:

Some authors have pointed out that the individuals with resistant

personality deal with stressful situations in an active and committed way,

perceiving them as less threatening (Moreno, B. et al., 2006). Also, we

know that stress acts as a mediator in the predisposition, precipitation or

exacerbation of the disease (Godoy-Izquierdo and Godoy, J.F., 2002).

Emergency services professionals are often confronted with numerous

critical incidents that are likely to break into their lives and cause them

to suffer, often because of their surprising nature. The traumatic

experience is pointed out as one of the most revealing sources of deep

discomfort (Senabre, J. 2017).

The aim of this study is to determine if the resistant personality or

hardiness plays a role as a modulator of the stress experience and, more

specifically, the development of posttraumatic stress. To this end, we

evaluated a sample of firefighters, who were surprised by the fire in an

entrapment situation during the extinction of a forest fire in the province

of Alicante (Spain) and that had a fatal outcome for some of the

emergency device personnel.

The results indicate that 37.5% of the sample developed posttraumatic

stress disorder (PTSD) at the clinical level after the month of the incident

and 25% some type of posttraumatic symptomatology (PTSD

subsyndrome); the remaining 37.5% were not emotionally affected by

that stress experience. On the other hand, the dispersion analysis shows

a tendency to the appearance of PTSD as the hardiness decreases

(figure 1). These results support the idea that resistant personality can

play a modulating role in the development of emotional trauma. The

dimensions of the construct, "implication" and "challenge", seem to have

a greater role in this stress modulating process, being the influence of

"control" more contained.

In the discussion, emphasis is placed on the need for specialized

evaluation and follow up after the experience of a critical incident of

these characteristics, as well as the design of training actions aimed at

the development of knowledge, skills, abilities and psychological skills in

professionals belonging to the different emergency services, and more

specifically, firefighters.

Key notes: emotional trauma, resistant personality, forest fire,

firefighter, critical incident.

Image

Figure1. Posttraumatic Symptomatology vs Hardiness. (Senabre, J.)

Recent Publications

1. Senabre, J. (2018). Forest fires from the perspective of

environmental psychology. In Climate Change, 2018, 4(13), 58-68.

ISSN: 2394–8558. EISSN: 2394–8566

2. Senabre, J. (2017). Efecto modulador de la personalidad resistente

en el desarrollo del trauma emocional en bomberos atrapados en

un incendio forestal. En Actas del I Congreso Prevencionar. Edición:

Fourmarketing 360. ISBN: 978-84-697-6373-5.

3. Senabre, J. (2017). El proceso de segunda victimización en

profesionales afectados por incendio forestal. En Actas del 7º

Congreso Forestal Español. Edita: Sociedad Española de Ciencias

Forestales. ISBN: 978-84-941695-2-6

4. Senabre, J. (2017). Wildland fires, climate change and society. In J

Earth Sci Clim Change, 2017, Volume 8, Issue 10 (Suppl). DOI:

10.4172/2157-7617-C1-036. ISSN: 2157-7617

5. Senabre, J. (2016). Incendios forestales en la sociedad del riesgo. Ed.

PREVINFO Soluciones. S.L.U. Alicante. ISNB: 978-84-617-5671-1.

6. Senabre, J. (2016). Wildland fires and climate change. In J Earth Sci

Clim Change, 2016 Volume 7, Issue 5 (Suppl). ISSN: 2157-7617 JESCC.

http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2157-7617.C1.025

Biography:

Sarah L Parry is a Clinical Psychologist registered in the United Kingdom and Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focusses on “Service developments for young people and adults who have experienced interpersonal trauma”. Her research has been published in a number of international journals, including the Journal of Child Sexual Abuse and Journal of Trauma & Dissociation. She is also the Principle Investigator for International Young Voices Study, which is currently exploring new perspectives on voice hearing for young people and their parents/carers. She has a keen interest in Compassion Focused Therapy which facilitated the creation of a book with Jessica Kingsley Publishers in June 2017, entitled: “Effective Self-Care and Resilience in Clinical Practice”.

Abstract:

Developing a personal compassionate framework for self-care has been an on-going endeavor of mine for some years. When the author started working in healthcare settings that could, at times, present multiple challenges to her own wellbeing, she became increasingly curious as to how to overcome these emotional hurdles. Talking with colleagues over the years and combining their experiences and coping strategies has been an important part of the journey. Equally, throughout her research with people who have experienced trauma, she saw how people developed new means to nurture their own resilience, even in the most challenging of circumstances. Together, listening to these stories provided her with ideas that she wanted to explore further, both in terms of how practitioners and researchers could nurture their own resilience and the potential for their work to be restorative; personally and professionally. She is a great believer in the power of stories, both in terms of helping us to see through the eyes of another, as well as giving us a mirror to hold up to our own experiences, helping us develop a deeper knowledge of ourselves. People in caring roles, in both personal and professional capacities, are often really good at caring for others and prioritizing other people’s needs over their own. However, this is not sustainable over long periods and we all need to know how we can restore ourselves, take some down time and be kind and nurturing towards ourselves. Through her research into the restorative nature of compassionate practices for the development of resilient practitioners, the following four steps seems to be a key: A sense of purpose and of belonging; a safe and supportive space with colleagues or a supervisor for reflectively processing distressing events and information; feeling valued and wanted; self-kindness and acceptance. These can be helpful checkpoints for us in all aspects of our lives and will be the focus of our discussions.

Image

The development of compassionate growth for the professional self, adapted from Gilbert’s emotional regulation systems model.

Recent Publications

1. S Parry, M Lloyd and J Simpson (2017) It's not like you have PSTD with a touch of dissociation: Understanding dissociative identity disorder through first person accounts. European Journal of Trauma and Dissociation.

2. S L Parry and Z Malpus (2017) Reconnecting the mind and body: a pilot study of developing compassion for persistent pain. Patient Experience Journal 4(1):145-153.

3. S L Parry and M Lloyd (2017) Towards reconnecting: Creative formulation and understanding dissociation. Mental Health Review Journal. 22 (1): 28-39.

4. S Parry and J Simpson (2016) How do adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse experience formally delivered talking therapy? a systematic review. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse.