Challenging the culture of psychiatric diagnosis
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Challenging the culture of psychiatric diagnosis
Exploring trauma informed alternatives
“We need an altogether different approach to emotional distress than slapping labels onto people that have essentially been made up around a table!” (Jo Watson)
This one day event is for everyone who is interested in the current debates around mental health. It aims to attract psychologists, counsellors, service users, psychotherapists, mental health support professionals, psychiatrists, people with lived experience, managers and individuals with a personal interest. It is a chance to discuss the critical questions of the day around the biomedical model in mental health. [more / dates]
The relevant question in psychiatry
shouldn’t be…What’s wrong with you?
It should be…What happened to you?
– Eleanor Longden / Dr Jacqui Dillon
Updates, news & articles

Embracing Divergent Minds: The AD4E Online Festival 2020
I have been on both sides of the fence of mental health services. I have been a ‘patient’ and I have worked as an Integrative therapist for the NHS and non-profit organisations. When emotional distress, trauma and pain are understood through the lens of pathology, I feel saddened and fearful.

Why ‘Dropping the Disorder’ is so important in my counselling work with Children and Young People
So, at 26 years old, I knew my heart was with pursuing a career in counselling, alongside that was a passion to work with children and young people. I myself had benefitted as a young person from strong role models and counselling. I had grand aspirations to give something back (and in my own way change the world)!

Evening of Spoken Word Poetry
Poetry, performance and story In February this year, I attended a very inspiring and stimulating AD4E event in Cornwall. Sandwiched between the various talks, there were a few very powerful poetry performances that left quite an impression on me, despite the fact that I am quite a ‘heady’ person who, perhaps quite oddly, tends to […]