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Making Sense of Distress: the Power Threat Meaning Framework

Making Sense of Distress: the Power Threat Meaning Framework

Making Sense of Distress: the Power Threat Meaning Framework

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 - 10:00:00 AM until

he Frontline Network are delighted to offer this session, Making Sense of Distress: An Introduction of the Power Threat Meaning Framework, delivered by Jacqui Dillon as part of the Outsourced Training programme.

About the Course

Making Sense of Distress: An Introduction of the Power Threat Meaning Framework is a one-day course introducing a new way to understand psychological and emotional distress. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with you?” the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) asks “What’s happened to you? How did it affect you? What sense did you make of it? What did you have to do to survive?” The day offers an accessible overview of the PTMF and how it can support more compassionate, trauma-informed, and non-pathologising practice.

Aims

Introduce the Power Threat Meaning Framework as a different way to understand distress and responses to adversity.

Explore how power, threat and meaning shape people’s experiences and coping strategies.

Encourage reflection on how PTMF ideas can be used in everyday frontline work — from conversations and care planning to support and advocacy.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the day, participants will:

· Understand the core ideas of the PTMF and why they matter in frontline roles.

· See how the PTMF offers an alternative to diagnosis-based ways of thinking.

· Recognise how power operates in people’s stories of distress, survival, and recovery.

· Practise using PTMF questions and language in real-world scenarios.

· Identify ways to apply PTMF principles in their own teams, services, or community work.

How this course can support your practice

The PTMF offers a practical way for frontline workers to:

· Build trust and engagement – using everyday, respectful language that makes sense to people.

· Enhance trauma-informed care – seeing distress as a response to life experiences, not as a sign of illness.

· Strengthen risk awareness and safety – by understanding the role of threat, power and meaning in people’s behaviour and emotions.

· Support more collaborative care planning – centring people’s own stories, values and survival strategies.

· Encourage reflective practice – noticing how power, culture and context shape your work.

· Promote compassion and resilience – for the people you support and within your teams.

See: https://www.bps.org.uk/member-networks/division-clinical-psychology/power-threat-meaning-framework

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