The Dillington conference – family therapy learning jewel in
the South West Richard Clarke
The Dillington Conference has often lovingly been
referred to as an oasis of calm and idea-exchanging amidst the pre-Christmas rush of December. In the promotional materials, it was further added that a scrumptious lunch is included in the price and it is a great opportunity for networking. I first attended the conference in 2012 as part of the
foundation course in family therapy, run in Plymouth. As my own systemic journey has progressed, it has become a regular event in my own professional development. In 2019, I was given the opportunity for the first time to run a workshop and share some of the systemic work I do in organisations. The keynote presenter was Amy Urry, who is also my systemic supervisor, and in our conversation at the start of the event, it transpired she had attended the first of the Dillington conferences, almost 40 years before. The day started with the keynote presenter, then there
was a choice of three workshops, followed by that scrumptious lunch and networking, an AGM and then a second series of three workshops. It is always a shame there are so many interesting sessions which it isn’t possible to attend. In this article, I want to acknowledge all of the presenters at this event, share with you a little of the origins of the Dillington conference and the important role it plays for family therapy in the South West as gleaned through a conversation with Amy. Finally, because I have an interest in history, I share some contexts from Dillington’s past, the home of our conference for the last few decades.
Thanks go to our contributors in 2019! The sessions at the conferences are often very varied. At
our most recent conference in December 2019, there was a session on learning how to work creatively in systemic practice and therapy, delivered by a collaborative team of Julie Brough, Martha Parker, and Marie Wilkinson. In another session, Steve Davies encouraged us to think differently about how we deal with sexuality in our work, with a session entitled, ‘Queering the Family’. Angus Crutchfield ran a workshop exploring post-adoptive secondary trauma and how we might systemically use the turbulence to develop helpful narratives that everyone, including placing-authorities, can own. Lynn Olver and Clare Leather facilitated a session
on introducing and enabling systemic practice in multidisciplinary teams within an adult community eating- disorder service. Angela Markham shared with us her work with the Imago Dialogue tool, and how she helps clients move from blame and reactivity to understanding and empathy.
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And finally, I was pleased to share some case studies from the systemic work I have been doing within organisations.
The origins of the Dillington conference In the early 1970s in the South West of England, Brian
Cade and Phil Kingston were teaching family therapy ideas to social work students. The South West Family Therapy Co-operative was formed and was instrumental in developing family therapy in the South West. In Exeter, the foundation courses were started in 1981 with Amy Urry and Paul O’Reilly. Amy and Paul taught the first introductory course in 1981. This initiative was followed by intermediate-level courses, and the first qualifying-level programme taught by Andy Treacher and Amy Urry in 1991; and today has evolved into the MSc currently run by Hannah Sherbersky and Mark Rivett. It was also at this time in the early 1980s that the AFT South West region committee, and particularly Sigurd Reimers, inaugurated the very much-loved Dillington conference. This event is an opportunity for those who practise family
therapy in the South West to come together once a year, just before Christmas, to share ideas and to network. In addition to our annual keynote speakers, there are a variety of smaller breakout sessions, where practitioners can showcase their work, or provide ideas to fellow practitioners. This event relies upon the work of the organising committee of Caz Brown, Maria Joy, and Sue Tristram, and their work both behind the scenes and on the day is very appreciated.
A conversation with Amy
Richard: “In nearly 40 years of conferences, we have had so many different speakers from the field of family therapy; is there anyone you would have like to have seen, who didn’ t make it to Dillington?” Amy: “Well, the first thing is that we always wanted to showcase people from the South West. There have been some very good speakers and the organising committee have done a very good job in bringing people to Dillington. It is pretty hard to remember who has and who hasn’ t been here!” Richard: “What, in your view, has most changed at the conference? If your younger self were to turn up this year, what would she most notice?” Amy: “I think she would notice how much family therapy has grown and developed since the early days. She would notice and be pleased how systemic ideas and practices have been embedded in so many agencies and organisations. She would also notice that the family therapy tribe is still a tribe, where camaraderie and membership are still important. Even if everyone doesn’t know
Context 170, August 2020
The Dillington conference – Family therapy learning jewel in the South West
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