2026-08-20T00:00:00-04:00
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Working with Dissociation in Therapy:
Practical, Creative, and Compassionate Tools

February 6 – 13, 2027
Morning Workshop Sessions: February 8–12 | 9:00 am – 12:30 pm daily
7-Night All-Inclusive Resort Stay + Workshop Registration
Packages starting at USD $3,555 per room — not per person

Presented by Jamie Marich

Leading Expert in Dissociation and EMDR Therapy

Jamie Marich - Dissociation

Workshop Details

About this workshop

Working with Dissociation in Therapy: Building Clinical Confidence

Clinicians often experience crises of confidence when working with dissociation. Yet dissociation is a natural part of the human experience. These struggles are often intensified by myths and misinformation within our profession.

This retreat-style Working with Dissociation in Therapy workshop with Jamie Marich is designed to meet you where you are. It welcomes clinicians who are new to dissociation as well as those with years of experience.

Your guide is Jamie Marich, PhD, a clinical expert in trauma, dissociation, addiction, and expressive arts. She is also known as a leader in the lived experience movement. Dr. Jamie has openly shared her experience of living with dissociative identities and embracing functional multiplicity.

While offering guidance on caution and care, she helps clinicians experience less fear around dissociation. Her teaching integrates both lived and learned expertise.

Understanding Trauma, Parts, and Dissociative Experiences

Participants are taken on a first-hand exploration of the variations of dissociative experience. The training moves beyond dissociative disorders alone. It examines how dissociation appears in complex PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other presentations.

The workshop addresses:

  • Common myths and misconceptions
  • Phenomenology and lived experience
  • Dissociative identities and plurality through neurodiversity-informed and lived-experience frameworks
  • Parts-based conceptualizations
  • The role of consultation in complex cases

Structured dialogue invites clinicians to bring questions they may have been hesitant to ask.

Practical Clinical Tools and Treatment Planning

Participants learn compassionate assessment strategies and non-shaming approaches to identifying dissociation in session. The Dissociation Profile Exercise is introduced as a structured clinical tool.

The training equips clinicians with no fewer than ten practical skills for grounding, stabilization, and preparation for further care. Treatment planning emphasizes flexibility rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Attention is given to:

  • Critical decision points in treatment
  • Individualized and system-focused plans
  • Advocacy for plural systems
  • Ethical responsibility and client safety
Integrating Working with Dissociation in Therapy Across Modalities

The principles of Working with Dissociation in Therapy apply across theoretical orientations. Many of the strategies presented can be integrated into existing models.

By the end of this immersive retreat, clinicians will feel more confident navigating dissociative presentations. They will leave with practical tools, clearer clinical judgment, and a more compassionate lens for understanding trauma-based dissociation.

Invitation from Jamie Marich

Learning Objectives

  • Define both trauma and dissociation (according to several different sources before coming up with solid working definitions for your own clinical practices)

  • Discuss the interplay between trauma and dissociation, noting the various diagnoses and conditions that may surface with this interplay

  • Explain the principles of phenomenology and how they inform the lived experience movement in mental health, specifically in work with dissociative identities

  • List the most common myths, misconceptions, and biases that exist in the mental health field and in society at large about people who dissociate

  • Assess for the presence of dissociation in clinical settings in a compassionate, non-shaming manner 

  • Implement no fewer than 10 skills into clinical settings that will assist people who dissociate with grounding/anchoring, basic stabilization, and preparation for further care

  • Complete a Dissociation Profile Exercise and discuss  how to use and implement this tool in your clinical setting

  • Discuss and critique the various models that exist for mapping and working with parts

  • Describe how to guide critical decision points in treatment with people who dissociate, remembering that there is no “one size fits all” approach in navigating treatment

  • Utilize the tool of consultation effectively in building your treatment plans and working through impasses

  • Implement individualized and system-focused treatment plans for people who dissociate, which may or may not involve direct trauma processing

  • Review why it’s important to advocate effectively for people who experience trauma-based dissociation and/or live as a plural system

Daily Workshop Agenda

Time Frame Content (Topics)
DAY 1
9:00 am – 10:15 am
  • Introduction to Dissociation
  • Self-Assessment
  • Identifying Biases

Objectives: 1, 4

10:15 am – 10:30 am Morning break*
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Introduction to Dissociation: Terminology, Diagnoses & Clinical Approach
  • Introduction to the Dissociative Profile Exercise
  • Phenomenology and lived experience frameworks in understanding dissociative identities

Objectives: 1, 2, 3, 7

DAY 2
9:00 am – 10:15 am
  • Further Exploration and Review of the Dissociative Profile Exercise
  • Review and Clinical Application

Objectives: 7

10:15 am – 10:30 am Morning break*
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Teaching and practicing 10+ grounding/anchoring/stabilization skills and enriching daily life for Clients Who Dissociate

Objectives: 6

DAY 3
9:00 am – 10:15 am
  • Assessment Strategies for Clinical Dissociation
  • Petals of a Rose Film Review and Treatment Planning Exercise

Objectives: 5, 8

10:15 am – 10:30 am Morning break*
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Introduction to Parts Mapping
  • Parts Mapping Exercise
  • Clinical Review and Discussion

Objectives: 8

DAY 4
9:00 am – 10:15 am
  • Advanced Treatment Planning & Review of Parts Mapping Exercise
  • Decision Points in Care: When to Move Into Formal Trauma Processing
  • Using Various Parts Models in Clinical Settings

Objectives: 8, 9, 11

10:15 am – 10:30 am Morning break*
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Why Consultation Can Be More Valuable Than Training in Advancing Your Skills
  • Consultation Session

Objectives: 10, 11

DAY 5
9:00 am – 10:15 am
  • Organized and extreme abuse, coercive groups, and spiritual abuse: clinical considerations, differential issues, and safety planning

Objectives: 2, 11

10:15 am – 10:30 am Morning break
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Final Review and Integration
  • Needs Assessment for Clinical Implementation
  • Assuring Success in Your Clinical Settings

Objectives: 12

*Breaks not applicable for CEs.

This workshop is approved for 16.25 CE hours by Praxis Continuing Education and Training.

Additional Workshop Details

Target Audience:
Marriage and Family Therapists, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, Psychiatric Social Workers, Pastoral Counselors, Psychotherapists, Psychiatrists, Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Therapists, Counselors, Graduate Students in Accredited Programs in these fields

What level of knowledge should the attendee have in this topic?
Intermediate/Advanced

Pricing & Accommodations

Choose Your Retreat Package

Your Retreat Experience Includes:

  • 7 nights all-inclusive accommodations (Saturday, February 6 – Saturday, February 13, 2027) at Dreams Jade Resort & Spa.*
  • One workshop registration with Jamie Marich
  • Daily training (9:00 am – 12:30 pm)
  • Access to resort amenities
  • All meals, drinks, and snacks included

*Each package includes a 7-night all-inclusive resort stay and one workshop registration. Workshop participants must book through the official Leading Edge Cancun registration process.

Retreat Package Pricing (7 Nights + 1 Workshop)

Early Bird Rates — valid to September 30, 2026

Junior Suite Tropical View Junior Suite Ocean View Preferred Club Ocean View (18+)
Single Occupancy (1 adult) USD$3,555 USD$3,985 USD$4,885
Double Occupancy (2 adults sharing) USD$4,035 USD$4,485 USD$4,885
Triple Occupancy (3 adults sharing) USD$5,435 USD$6,135 USD$6,705
Child Rate (3 to 12 year) when sharing with adult USD$616 USD$616 N/A

Important Information

  • Rates are shown in USD unless otherwise specified.
  • If you prefer to pay in CAD, you can select this option at checkout and pricing will automatically update.
  • Rates are per room, per week based on occupancy and include one workshop registration.
  • Additional workshop registrations can be added during registration.
  • Stay duration is 7 nights, Saturday to Saturday.
  • Children aged 0–2 stay free.
  • Child rates apply to children aged 3–12.
  • Guests aged 13+ are charged at the adult rate.
  • King bed rooms accommodate a maximum of 2 guests.
  • Rooms with 2 double beds accommodate a maximum of 4 guests.
  • Maximum room occupancy is up to 2 adults + 2 children, or 3 adults + 1 child, where room type allows.
  • Preferred Club accommodations are adults-only, 18+.

Room Options

junior suite tropical view
Junior Suite Tropical View

A comfortable and cost-effective option with tropical surroundings.

junior suite ocean view
Junior Suite Ocean View

An upgraded experience with beautiful partial ocean views.

prefered club ocean view
Preferred Club Ocean View (18+ only)

Premium accommodations with enhanced amenities and exclusive privilege

Which Option is Right for You?

Single Occupancy

Ideal if you prefer your own private space during the retreat. This package includes a private room for one guest, 7 nights of all-inclusive accommodations, and one workshop registration built into the price.

Pricing is per room, with one guest in the room.

Double Occupancy

Perfect for colleagues, friends, partners, or guests sharing a room. Your roommate does not need to attend the training.

Pricing is per room, not per person, and includes one workshop registration.
If your roommate is also attending the workshop, please add an additional workshop registration at checkout.

Triple Occupancy

A great option for families, colleagues, friends, or small groups sharing a room. Your roommates do not need to attend the training.

Pricing is per room, not per person, and includes one workshop registration.
If additional guests in the room are also attending the workshop, please add their workshop registrations at checkout.

Travel & Resort Info

About the Resort

Located along the Caribbean coastline just outside Cancun, Dreams Jade Resort & Spa offers a beautiful beachfront setting for both learning and relaxation. This all-inclusive resort provides the perfect balance of professional development and rejuvenation including:

  • Beachfront location with stunning ocean views
  • Multiple pools and private beach access
  • All-inclusive dining, drinks, and snacks
  • On-site restaurants, cafés, and bars
  • Fitness center and wellness facilities
  • Spa services available (additional cost)

Getting There

  • Airfare is not included in your retreat package.
  • Please plan to fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN) on Saturday, February 6, 2027
  • The resort is approximately 20–25 minutes from the airport.

Airport Transfers

  • Airfare is not included in your retreat package and must be arranged separately.
  • Private transfers and taxis are easily arranged at the airport
  • We will provide recommended transfer options prior to your arrival

Extending Your Stay

Interested in arriving early or staying longer?

We’re happy to assist with extended stay arrangements — please contact us for details.

About the Location

Located in Puerto Morelos, just south of Cancun, this quieter coastal area offers a more relaxed atmosphere while still being close to the airport and major attractions.

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