Notice Regarding COVID-19

CDS UK (Clinic for Dissociative Studies) remains open and our therapists and therapeutic teams continue to support their patients. In most most cases this will be online or on the phone. We are following all NHS and Government guidelines with regard to safer working.

We recognise that everyone is under more strain at this very difficult time. We know that this current situation will be having a significant impact on people’s mental health as well as potentially their physical health. We aim at CDS UK to continue to offer our support to people throughout this time.

We will continue to be available for contact with professionals and potential patients wishing to discuss possible referrals and we will continue to support funding requests to Clinical Commissioning Groups.

When funding for assessments is agreed, our clinical management team will consider whether we can offer an assessment on a case by case basis.In most instances we will have to delay assessments until the COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed. Online assessments will be considered, where appropriate safety measures can be put in place.

We are still accepting applications (via a CV and covering letter) for those professionals wishing to register to work with us.

Our accounts team may take a little longer to respond to queries. Calls to the clinic will still be answered. However, we may be able to respond more quickly to queries by e-mail at info@clinicds.com.

Referrals – Please send through all referrals via email to info@clinicds.com as our staff are currently working from home and the post will be checked less frequently than normal.

8th – 9th October 2020

Hayes Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire

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Congratulations from all of us to Dr Valerie Sinason, CDS UK Founder and Former Director, who has just been made a fellow of the ISSTD – March 2018 – to add to her Lifetime Achievement Award of 2016. Fitting recognition to her lasting contribution to the field of complex trauma and dissociation.

on the award of her New Year’s honour for services to people with dissociative disorders. An excellent recognition of the hard work of survivor-led organisations for people with dissociative disorders – Well done Kathryn!

CDS UK is delighted to announce the appointment of two new members of the senior management team

Mr Mark Linington came into post as Clinical Lead on 8th January 2018 and Mr Peter Loble as Finance Director on 20th February 2018.

Senior staff from CDS UK again represented a substantial portion of the UK’s contribution to the international field of complex trauma and dissociation with presentations at the annual international conference in both the clinical and theoretical arenas.

On 9th January 2017 Dr Rachel Thomas, Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Consultant Adult Psychotherapist took over as Clinic Director, succeeding Dr Valerie Sinason, who retired from the post at the age of 70 years.

Dr Thomas stated:  ‘it is a challenge but a great privilege to be following in the footsteps of the Clinic’s founder and pioneer. I hope I can both do justice to her legacy and also take the Clinic forward into a new era of development in 2017. I am delighted that Dr Sinason’s expertise remains available to the Clinic in a senior consultative role going forward’.

Dr Thomas was previously the Clinic’s lead clinician, following 20 years’ experience working in the NHS in complex mental health with traumatised patients.

Sir Richard Bowlby and Lady Xenia Bowlby have formally opened the Clinic’s new premises in north London. Speaking to a packed room of leading practitioners in the field, Sir Richard praised the outstanding work of the Clinic. Lady Xenia read a tribute from Professor Brett Kahr.

Other speakers included former Detective Chief Inspector Clive Driscoll, who highlighted the importance of supporting Clinic patients attempting the very difficult task of reporting historical abuse to the police when suffering from dissociative disorders.

Dr Rachel Thomas, spoke at the 2016 annual conference of the European Society of Trauma and Dissociation.

Dr Thomas, Director Elect at the Clinic for Dissociative Studies, gave two lectures, one on how to address professional scepticism in the field of dissociation.

Dr Valerie Sinason has been awarded the highest recognition by the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.