Diane Clare, Chair, Conference Coordinating Committee

ISSTD is excited to announce that from November 22nd-24th, 2019, it will offer its very first regional conference in New Zealand. Save the date as this conference promises to be something special. The people of Christchurch, New Zealand would like to offer a warm welcome to ISSTD members and all conference attendees from around the world, with the Maori welcome: “Haere Mai o Otautahi”. The theme of this bi-national New Zealand – Australia Regional Conference is ‘Changing Landscapes: Innovations and Challenges in the Treatment of Trauma and Dissociation.’ This theme has been chosen to reflect not just the changing landscapes of our professional field, but of Otautahi (Christchurch) itself. This beautiful city, located in the South Island of New Zealand, was devastated by the combined damage of earthquakes in September 2010, February 2011, and all the subsequent and multiple aftershocks. One hundred and eighty five people lost their lives in February 2011. Today the historic and scenic city is recovering from the devastation of this trauma to the land and its people. The Nation as a whole, traumatised by the experience, is also healing. The city is now largely re-built with modern, more earthquake-resilient structures and is as beautiful as ever. Recently a decision has been made to restore the iconic Cathedral and an eco friendly version has been serving Christchurch in the meantime. Come and celebrate this journey and regeneration as we explore trauma and recovery across a packed three-day program. We offer a pre-conference workshop day followed by two days of conference. Like the beautiful scenery, the program is rich and varied, offering something for everyone. We are delighted to welcome many international presenters, as well as Australians and New Zealanders.     Pre-conference workshops: Michael Coy & Jennifer Madere – Assessment with the MID.6 Christine Forner & Mary-Anne Kate – Dissociation 101 Naomi Halpern – Snow White Model Warwick Middleton – Perpetrator-victims and Organised Abuse Rochelle Sharpe – Sensorimotor Approaches Conference Program: As part of our culture the people of the Ngai Tahu iwi (the people of Otautahi/Christchurch) will welcome us to their land with a Powhiri (cultural welcome) Day 1 Plenaries (titles to be confirmed): Martin Dorahy (Past President ISSTD) An Overview of Current Research on DID Christine Forner (President ISSTD 2019) – Meditation and Dissociation Michael Salter – Constructions of Complex Trauma: Implications for Women’s Wellbeing and Safety from Violence Kathy Steele – Advances in the Treatment of Complex Dissociative Disorders Panel discussion: Dissociation/Psychosis/BPD interface. Warwick (moderator), Matt Ball, Joan Haliburn, Rick Hohfeler & David Leonard. After hearing these speakers please join us for a conference dinner. Day 2 workshops: Diane Clare – Alternatives to Self Harm program and the APEX model. Martin Dorahy & Rick Hohfeler – Shame and Dissociation. Lisa Danylchuk – Yoga for Complex Trauma. Joan Haliburn – Fractured Youth: Attachment Abuse and Psychopathology. Kiri Lawson-Te-Aho – Maori Perspectives on Colonisation and Trauma. Speaker to be confirmed- Aboriginal Perspectives of Trauma. Pam Stavropolous and Cathy Kezelman: Blue Knot Guidelines for Working with Complex Trauma. Kathy Steele – Models of Dissociation. TDU/Belmont – Mary-Anne Kate, Mary Williams, Lenaire Seager. At the close of the conference join with the Ngai Tahu iwi as we close with a Poroporoaki (farewell). But after the conference… Don’t let your experience of New Zealand end here! This tiny nation of just over four million people is one of the world’s most scenic and pristine travel destinations, offering a diversity of holiday experiences. Travelling though New Zealand, you may recognise some of the extraordinary landscape, as this is the home of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ movies. However, you don’t have to be a Hobbit to enjoy this gorgeous location. Take a few extra days to experience dolphin watching, kayaking, mountain-biking, or bush-walking on the South Island. Consider visiting glaciers or go to Fiordland further south of Christchurch. If you like a bit more adventure, try Queenstown, which offers jet boat rides, skiing, river rafting, hiking and biking, or go bungy jumping where it all began. If you like something more genteel try wine-tasting (New Zealand wines are great!), spa treatments or alfresco dining. While you are with us, consider a visit to the North Island. Rotorua is one of the world’s most active geothermic ‘hotspots’. Here you can enjoy bathing in hot springs, see bubbling mud pools and watch geysers spouting. Full conference abstracts, speaker bios, venue details, and more information will be found on the Conference Website which will be live in early 2019. These pictures will offer a taste of what you can expect to see in and around Christchurch.