Bridging Evidence and Experience: Outpatient Group Implementation of Finding Solid Ground

Abstract
The Finding Solid Ground Program (FSG) (Schielke et al., 2022) was developed as a revision of the TOP DD (Brand et al, 2025) studies, and provides psychoeducation and skills for grounding, emotion regulation, separating past from present, and building self-compassion, within a modular and structured framework for people with traumagenic dissociative disorders. Both the TOPDD research and Finding Solid Ground (FSG) research support the use of FSG in the treatment of complex post traumatic stress disorder and dissociative clients. The presentation will aid beginning - intermediate clinicians in the nuances of implementing FSG in outpatient treatment. The Purdue Research Study on Using FSG in groups in the outpatient setting had significant improvement in the PCL-5, DES-II and PTIQ-p as well as improved emotional regulation at 15 weeks with additional improvement at 31 weeks. This presentation will provide insights from 4 group facilitators to aid clinicians in taking the Finding Solid Ground Curriculum into practice with outpatient populations. The presentation format will include; oral presentation, use of role play video clips based on real group examples, quotes from facilitators and participants, examples from groups and time for questions with the group facilitators. Participants will learn skills that aid in: setting the stage for treatment during the screening and intake process, conducting introductory group sessions, aid in the facilitation of the groups, navigation of the exercises and homework assignments, developing relational skills. Additionally, participants will hear different facilitation perspectives and about the role of consultation.

Historically, group therapy for individuals with dissociative disorders was approached with significant clinical hesitation due to concerns about symptom destabilization and group dynamics. However, the experiences of this presentation’s facilitators, and research conducted elsewhere contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of structured group interventions for individuals with complex trauma and dissociative disorders. After having completed the 31 week Finding Solid Ground (FSG) group with participants meeting criteria for diagnosis of complex post traumatic stress disorder and/or a dissociative disorder diagnosis, this presentation is meant to aid the gap between qualitative and quantitative findings and their implications for implementation. As members of the Purdue Research team we will provide you with tips and tidbits for taking FSG from the workbook into the private practice setting. This presentation will provide you with shared participant feedback via feedback provided both through the measures used within the training along with feedback shared during the groups.