WHERE TO FIND HELP? – START HERE

We set up PODS in 2010 in order to help people find appropriate support and to do whatever we can to make recovery from dissociative disorders a reality. First off, we’ll provide some pointers as to what we can offer directly, and then what other sources of help are out there.

START WITH OUR WEBSITE

We have an entire section of our website dedicated to information: click here. You’ll find over 125 articles, many by Carolyn Spring, as well as a large number from other survivors and also a number of professionals working in this field. The articles are divided into various categories:

 

INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION ABOUT DISSOCIATION AND DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS

We have produced a leaflet called Information for Professionals: Dissociative Identity Disorder which is also relevant to survivors. You can download a free PDF here, or you can buy the printed version here.

There are also a number of articles on the PODS website which provide information that might be helpful:

 

OUR PUBLICATIONS

We have produced a range of books, booklets and other resources relevant to recovery from trauma and dissociation. You can find them all here.

WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE ON THE PHONE?

PODS offers a support service and helpline run by Elisabeth Allan, who also manages our counselling service:

  • The helpline is open on a Tuesday between 1.00pm and 5.00pm (0800 1814420). More details are here
  • Outside of these times you can call 01480 413582 and leave a message and Elisabeth will get back to you
  • You can email elisabeth@pods-online.org.uk
  • For details of helplines run by other organisations please click here

 

FINDING A THERAPIST

Our biggest recommendation is good one-one therapy. We hold a register of therapists and counsellors who have experience or are willing to work with people with trauma and dissociation. These therapists are NOT accredited or endorsed by us – though most will have been on a PODS training day. We are simply acting as a bridge to provide details of therapists in your area. Please note our list only covers the UK. Please click here for more details.

WHAT THERAPY IS ABOUT

Some articles you also might find helpful to read:

 

OTHER ARTICLES

Some other articles you might find helpful:

 

IS RECOVERY POSSIBLE?

At PODS we believe firmly the answer is YES! Though it can be a hard and long journey. Some articles which might be of encouragement are:

 

SEEKING A DIAGNOSIS

The first step towards assessing the likelihood of a dissociative disorder is to fill in some screening tools. You can read more about this and find the tools here.

 

LOOKING FOR SUPPORT GROUPS?

PODS runs an online support forum for dissociative survivors and their supporters, for mutual support towards recovery. It is fully moderated by a qualified counsellor. The focus of our forum is on mutual support in the area of adult functioning, rather than being a sharing space for traumatic material or developmentally-younger parts of the personality. We are specifically providing a more psychoeducational slant and recognise that there are other forums available on the internet which serve a different purpose. You can find out more about the forum here.

We currently aren’t in a position to run any face-to-face support groups but we are aware of other organisations who do offer such services. There are also organisations who offer group therapy/counselling sessions. These groups tend to be facilitated by a trained counsellor/psychotherapist and follow more of a structure than support groups. You can find out about these groups here.

 

INFORMATION FOR PROFESSIONALS

The support service is also open to professionals and supporters who are welcome to email or call Elisabeth. She also offers supervision.

We would really recommend PODS training days to all professionals. You can find out more about our training here.

Our leaflet Information for Professionals: Dissociative Identity Disorder can be downloaded as a free PDF here, or you can buy the printed version here.

These articles might be helpful to pass on to your therapist (if you already have one) or to other professionals:

 

OUTSIDE THE UK?

Our support service is open to those outside of the UK. Elisabeth does email and speak on the phone with people from Australia, the USA and other areas. The ISSTD treatment guidelines do apply internationally. You might also find the following websites helpful: