Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative disorders (DD) are mental conditions characterized by disturbances or breakdowns of memory, awareness, identity, or perception. Typically, dissociative disorders occur as a coping mechanism for the brain to deal with a situation too upsetting for the conscious mind to process. Dissociative disorders are thought to be primarily caused by trauma or abuse, causing the individual to escape reality in involuntary and pathological ways. They can also be caused by things like stress or substance abuse. There are three main types of dissociative disorders: 1. dissociative amnesia and/or fugue: selective amnesia of a specific time, person or event. 2. Dissociative identity disorder: an indistinct or distorted sense of identity. 3. Depersonalization disorder: a feeling of being detached from yourself. If you think you may be suffering from a dissociative disorder, reach out to one of TherapyDen’s experts today.

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

— Scott Hoye, Psychologist in Chicago, IL

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.

— Georgie Kelly, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in SAN DIEGO, CA
 

I have training and experience working with folx living with complex dissociation, structural dissociation, depersonalization and derealization.

— Chelsea Williams, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in Bellingham, WA

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.

— Alexandra Mejia, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Brooklyn, NY
 

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.

— Alicia Polk, Licensed Professional Counselor in Belton, MO

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.

— Anya Surnitsky, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in ,
 

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.

— James Nole, Counselor in Seattle, WA

Dissociation exists on a spectrum, and can be an intelligent survival strategy implemented to deal with trauma, significant pain or stress, or overwhelm. Helping survivors with dissociative symptoms and experiences, I utilize a trauma-informed and neurobiological lens - including structural dissociation model, sensorimotor psychotherapy (somatic), and mindfulness.

— Krystal Ying, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Santa Rosa, CA
 

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.

— Fiona Crounin, Licensed Professional Counselor in , TX

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.

— Rae Cuffe, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Miami, FL

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.

— Georgie Kelly, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in SAN DIEGO, CA
 

I welcome all systems! You will not be judged for how your brain works.

— ayom ament, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate

I have an Advanced certificate in Dissociation Studies through the Institute for Creative Mindfulness.

— Angelique Gutekunst, Licensed Professional Counselor in Bethlehem, PA
 

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.

— Kelly Price, Licensed Mental Health Counselor

I've worked with depersonalization and derealization of dissociative disorders as well as alternate identities of dissociative identity disorder, all a form of detachment and dissociation due to trauma. With the challenging nature of these disorders for clients, I feel much respect and admiration is due for their creativity in coming up with necessary survival skills and resiliency. We work to find safe ways to track, ground, and communicate between parts of the self.

— Kelley Collins, Licensed Professional Counselor in ,
 

I work with complex dissociative disorders, including other-specified dissociative disorder, DID, and depersonalization/derealization to help clients heal from trauma that may have fragmented their memories or identities in order to cope. I have had advanced training in modalities to help clients slowly piece their lives back together and be present to the world at their own pace - learning to separate the past from the present.

— Kelli Spencer, Licensed Professional Counselor in SANDY SPRINGS, GA

I am always seeking new training and education regarding dissociation and dissociative disorders. My approach towards dissociation is that it isn't something to be "fixed" but rather the brain doing what it is supposed to be doing when something traumatic and overwhelming happens. I work with clients to help them achieve a sense of agency and autonomy.

— Elizabeth Seabolt Esparza, Psychotherapist in Houston,
 

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.

— Lara Dubowchik, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Highland Park, NJ