Explore why we zone out, what dissociation is, how stress and trauma affect the mind, and simple grounding tools to feel more present.

Have you ever arrived somewhere and realised you don't remember the journey?

Lost track of a conversation?

Or felt strangely disconnected from yourself, your surroundings or your emotions?

Most of us experience moments like these. We often describe them as "zoning out" or being "on autopilot."

Psychologists refer to these experiences as everyday dissociation.

But dissociation exists on a spectrum, and understanding it can change the way we think about stress, trauma and the nervous system.

The talk will begin by exploring what we mean by the “self”, how our sense of self develops, and how trauma can disrupt our connection with it, before looking at dissociation as a spectrum of responses to overwhelming experiences.

In this Mind Circles Talk, mental health practitioner Bilge Kıvrak explores the psychology of dissociation, explaining why the mind sometimes disconnects as a way of responding to stress, trauma and overwhelming experiences.

Drawing on psychology, neuroscience and trauma-informed practice, Bilge will explain what dissociation is, why it happens, and how experiences such as feeling emotionally numb, disconnected from yourself or detached from your surroundings may be more common than many people realise.

Together, we'll explore questions including:

What do we mean by the “self”, and how does our sense of self develop?

Why do we zone out?

What is dissociation, and why does it happen?

How are trauma, stress and the nervous system connected?

Why can we sometimes feel disconnected from ourselves or the world around us?

What practical techniques can help us feel more grounded and present?

You'll also be introduced to grounding techniques and take part in a gentle group grounding exercise inspired by EMDR principles, offering practical ways to reconnect with the present.

Whether you're curious about your own experiences or want to better understand someone else's, this talk offers an accessible, evidence-based introduction to one of psychology's most misunderstood topics.

Event Schedule

Please arrive by 19:15 to check in and get settled before the talk begins, door will close at this time so we can start the talk promptly at `19:30.

19:00 – 19:30 Arrival & Warm-Up Activity

Guest arrival and informal connection. A guided warm-up activity (optional) to help you notice your own nervous system patterns before the talk begins

19:30 – 20:15 Talk: Why Do You Zone Out? The Science of Dissocation

Bilge explores why we zone out, what dissociation is, how stress and trauma affect the mind, and simple grounding tools to feel more present.

20:15 – 20:30 Q&A

A chance to ask questions and deepen the conversation

20:30 – 21:00 Optional Networking

Continue the discussion

You'll Discover

How our sense of self develops

Understanding dissociation as a spectrum

The difference between everyday dissociation and more significant dissociative experiences

How stress and trauma influence the brain and nervous system

Why we sometimes feel disconnected from ourselves or our surroundings

Practical grounding techniques to help you reconnect with the present

About the Speaker

Bilge Kıvrak is a mental health practitioner, speaker and co-founder of Ground Me, a London-based mental health start-up focused on dissociation and trauma-informed digital support.

She holds a degree in Psychology and a Master's in Mental Health and Clinical Psychology, and has over six years’ clinical experience supporting adults with a range of mental health difficulties, including trauma and dissociation.

Through Ground Me, Bilge is developing evidence-informed digital tools that help people better understand emotional awareness, presence, memory and focus. Passionate about making psychology accessible, she combines clinical practice, trauma-informed care and innovation to help people better understand themselves and apply psychological insights in everyday life.

Ground Me

Ground Me is a London-based mental health tech startup and self-help app focused on dissociation, grounding techniques, and trauma-informed digital support.

The app helps people recognise, understand, and manage mild to moderate dissociation, including zoning out, feeling disconnected, going on autopilot, or feeling detached from the body, emotions, memory, or surroundings.

Ground Me is currently free to use and offers evidence-informed tools such as dissociation measurement, grounding exercises, personalised guidance, and immediate self-help support. It is designed to support emotional awareness, focus, memory, and presence in everyday life, but is not a diagnostic tool or replacement for therapy.

Ground Me Website: https://groundme.app/ (https://groundme.app/)

Ticket Options

In Person: 1. (a)-(e)

Livestream/Recording: 2.

(a) Early Bird: Discounted early-access ticket. Includes in-person entry, livestream access, and recording.

(b) Community Ticket: Lowe

Description supplied by the event organiser.