Dissociative Disorders

I have experience working with systems, which some people call Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). My goal in working with systems is to provide consistent communication and cooperation among your parts (sometitimes called "headmates" or other terms). I do not consider "integration" or dissolving a system (into a singlet) a legitimate, respectful, therapeutic goal.

Dissociative disorders disruptions or discontinuities in memory, awareness, identity, or perception that can significantly impair functioning and cause distress. These disruptions often involve a sense of detachment from oneself, one’s surroundings, or one’s memories. Many people describe it as “spacing out”, losing time, or feeling like nothing is real.

My expertise is in treating complex trauma and dissociative disorders. I have a particular subspecialty in treating Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). I use egg state/parts work and I have extra competence in using the progressive EMDR approach for dissociative disorders.

I use a parts based method (AIR Network) to work with those with dissociative abilities. I believe that our bodies are designed to protect ourselves and the resilience of the human body to come up with techniques that help them survive abusive environments.

I have observed dissociative symptoms can often be overlooked in treatment, even though this is a typical response to complex trauma. I have participated in multiple trainings related to dissociation, including receiving the Certificate of Complex Trauma and Dissociation through the ISSTD in 2023.

As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, my focus is on working with dissociative disorders, including Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly called "multiple personality disorder"). In this work, you and I will focus on decreasing the effects of the dissociation on your present day life rather than on remembering the details of the traumatic events, which could be re-traumatizing. We can't change the past, but we CAN change how it affects you now.

I frequently work with systems, which some people call Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or being plural. My goal in working with systems is to provide consistent communication and cooperation among your parts (sometimes called "headmates" or other terms). I do not consider "integration" or dissolving a system (into a singlet) a legitimate, respectful, therapeutic goal. My goal is to facilitate collaboration, communication, and connection among dissociative parts.

The dissociative spectrum is broad and goes all the way from being "in the zone" to Dissociative Identity Disorder. Dissociation is a natural phenomenon and we all do it to a degree. For some of us, this natural protection kicks in so much that it begins to disorder our lives. By combining trauma-informed theory with IFS techniques, I am able to help clients normalize the dissociation process and gently gain more control over their experience by healing their emotional parts.

Dissociative disorders are more common than many realize. Because I specialize in trauma, and dissociation is a very common and primal response to trauma, I have training in this area, with sensitivity to complex trauma, RA, and other somatic trauma responses.

I have been trained and certified to treat complex trauma. Dissociation is one of the symptoms clients may have developed as a trauma response. With compassion and understanding I introduce how dissociation has played an important role in a clients survival and how to help a client reduce or manage these symptoms.

Dissociation is something we all experience from time to time, but we often overlook it in therapy. In my work, I help clients identify their dissociative experiences and learn to work to regain full awareness of life through mindfulness practice, working with dissociative parts, and sensorimotor work.

Trauma is full of painful memories, feelings and body sensations, and any number of things can trigger those. It's natural for us to not want to feel or remember what happened. This can result in dissociation where we "check out" to varying degrees. This however can make it difficult to live our lives, engage in meaningful relationships, succeed in our jobs, and even participate in therapy. I have experience working with dissociative disorders to help you feel more present.

Complex trauma or traumatic histories are at the heart of dissociative disorders. People often struggle in fear, feeling broken, and as if there are not in control of themselves or their lives. You may feel alone, isolated, unwanted, and worthless. But there is hope for change and healing. I work with all kinds of dissociative disorders, and have a major focus on working with individuals living with Dissociative Identity Disorder. If you are struggling with DID-- please reach out.

I am certified in trauma and trauma informed stabilization treatment. This is a parts approach that uses polyvagal theory and the structural dissociation model which helps people struggling with dissociation and fragmentation to become more present and aware.

Dissociative disorders, including DID, are at times hotly debated, even amongst mental health professionals. I have experience working with clients who have been diagnosed with DID, and you can expect empathy, support, understanding, and an approach that is tailored to you and not a blanket approach to your diagnosis.

I have extensive training from one of the world's leading experts in Dissociation and Depersonalization and Derealization Disorder DP / DR from Dr. Willoughby Britton, Director of Brown’s Clinical and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory at the Warren Alpert Medical School. With Dr. Britton I co-lead a training for Postdoctoral fellows at the Osher Institute for Integrative Medicine at Harvard University Medical School in March 2023, which included training on the neuroscience of dissociation.

I have eight years of experience in treating dissociative disorders, attachment issues, and complex PTSD.