ABout christine
Christine Forner is an International Expert, published author, clinician, and teacher on the intersection of dissociation, mindfulness, and complex trauma.
Meet Christine Forner (BA, BSW, MSW, RSW), a compassionate force in the world of trauma therapy, a seasoned clinician, and a leading expert in dissociation and mindfulness, as well as coercive control. With a career that spans over three decades, Christine has dedicated her life to understanding and unraveling the often misunderstood and neglected field of complex trauma and dissociation.
She is the Clinician Owner/Operator at Associated Counselling Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Past President of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.
Finding Her Early Roots in Compassion and Jumping into the Deep End
Christine's journey as a trauma therapist began early in her life. She was 16 when she volunteered at a crisis line for teens. It was there she began to notice that she had a particular gift. It felt very easy for her to provide compassion and support.
Jumping In and Learning to Swim
Then she jumped into and started swimming in what she considers “the deep end” of therapy.
One of her first jobs was in a clinical setting where very traumatized and abused women were able to enter long-term therapy for very little money.
Early Trauma Work
She has left an indelible mark on the field, working at The Calgary Sexual Assault Centre, Wheatland Crisis Shelter, and finding her clinical calling at The Calgary Women’s Health Collective in 1998.
Coping with Three Children and Her Studies
Christine first developed her own unique Creative Mediation Practice to cope with raising three children while completing her Master’s Degree. This practice, which involved visualizing images and engaging in focused mental activities, improved both her well-being and sleep.
Christine became intrigued.
She decided to incorporate elements of her meditation practice into her therapeutic approach. To her delight, the approach helped many of her clients.
A Huge Turning Point
Christine realized that mainstream mindfulness discussions addressed something different than her creative meditation practices.
This was a huge turning point for Christine.
A Unique Perspective and Understanding
She began to understand dissociation as a competing brain activity to mindfulness. She saw that simply engaging in mindfulness practices might not suffice in alleviating dissociation; a comprehensive understanding of dissociation itself was essential before embracing mindfulness.
This pivotal realization shaped her unique perspective and approach in guiding others through the intricate landscape of trauma, dissociation, and mindfulness.
A Unique Creative Meditation Practice Set the Stage for Her Career
Ongoing Contributions to the Field of Complex Trauma
A Trailblazer With Specialized Training and Innovative Techniques
Since 2011, Christine has been a guiding light in her private practice, specializing in complex trauma and dissociative disorders. Her vast experience, coupled with specialized training in EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and innovative techniques like Neurofeedback and Havening, positions her as a trailblazer in trauma therapy.
Dedication to Guiding and Teaching
Christine's commitment extends beyond therapy rooms. She served as the treasurer of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (2011-2012) and proudly took the helm as the President of the ISSTD in 2019. Her involvement in the Conference Committee further solidifies her dedication to advancing the understanding of trauma and dissociation.
DISSOCIATION, MINDFULNESS, AND CREATIVE MEDITATIONS: Trauma-Informed Practices to Facilitate Growth
PUBLISHED AUTHOR
Christine Forner’s book explores the potential of mindfulness and explains why this level of developmental human achievement is so precarious within traumatic stress, especially traumatic dissociation.
Recognized as one of the world's foremost experts in the intersection of dissociation and trauma, Christine's wealth of knowledge spans over 35 years of clinical practice.
Her unique approach has achieved remarkable success in working with the most severely affected and treatment-resistant individuals. Whether dealing with trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Dissociation, Developmental Trauma, or Dissociative Disorders, Christine is dedicated to ensuring every profoundly stressed individual receives the healing they deserve.
A World Leading Expert
Christine Was Asked Why She Loves What She Does…
…because I get to watch people being born! I get to see the most horrific things come to a place of peace and understanding.