Dissociation
I integrate Trauma Model Therapy with Finding Solid Ground. I have extensive training in specialized topics for supporting people who experience dissociation including those who have experienced extreme or organized abuse.
my approach
strengths based
Dissociation is an adaptive defense in response to high stress or trauma. While some people dissociate more easily than others, under enough stress anyone would dissociate. It has served a very important purpose in your life and was essential for your early survival. We won't pretend there aren't real challenges that come with dissociative symptoms, but we also won't forget to honor where they come from and what gifts they bring. I will provide psychoeducation as we go to help you understand the why behind your symptoms and experiences.
practical skills
There are many skills that can make living with dissociation easier and safer. I can teach you skills that you can practice both in and outside of session. I will work with you/your system to find the teaching and learning styles that work best for you/your system.
inner communication and collaboration
For many systems, it can be a struggle to get alters to work well together as a team. I can help develop empathy, compassion, and curiosity between alters. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I am used to holding multiple perspectives at a time and thinking about what's good for a system as a whole instead of siding with just one member of that system. For non-systems, I can help you manage inner conflict and confusion.
phase 3: reintegration
In this phase, we focus on post-traumatic growth and weaving the positive changes you've made into your life going forward. If you have DID, you get to choose whether that looks like co-consciousness, inner collaboration, or true integration.
phase 2: trauma processing
When you feel ready, we can move on to carefully re-processing traumatic memories. I follow the BASK model of traumatic memory, through which we help your brain reconnect all of the different parts of an experience that was too overwhelming for your brain at the time that it occurred. There are different ways to do this, so we can find a way that feels right for you. It is common for people to feel some big feelings like grief during this phase, but we will move slowly and gently and you won't be alone.
phase 1: stabilisation
First, we need to set you up with coping strategies and skills for your most destabilizing symptoms. In this phase we work together to increase both real and perceived safety and stability in your life.
What Can I Expect?
While I customize my treatment to each unique system or person, when working with dissociation, I follow a predictable three-phase structure. If you'd like more detail than you see here, I'd be happy to provide it.
resources and research
Many of the skills I teach my clients come from the evidence-based program Finding Solid Ground.
Other skills come from the book Coping With Trauma-Related Dissociation.