Dissociation is an incredible tool that our body and minds have learned to utilize in extremely distressing situations. A coping strategy that was helpful once, often may not be in 10, 20, 30 etc years. Unfortunately, coping strategies don't develop in the linear ways that human beings are expected too. Despite the traumatic events that may have caused dissociation, humans do have more access and resources available to them in adulthood. These extra resources can mean learning and implementing more helpful strategies that align with who you are present day. It is my greatest honor to work with humans with these magnificent coping strategies. While we learn new strategies, we will work to integrate the fragmented parts into the whole being that you are.
Dissociation is the mind's great ability to protect you and help you get through extreme overwhelm and hardship. We all have the ability to do it. It's on a continuum. When it's not seen as a disorder, it shows up as numbing or being on auto-pilot (like when you forget to take your exit driving and you say "my mind was somewhere else"). When it's a disorder, it can have tremendous impacts on many areas in your life. Focusing on integration and stabilization becomes key. We combine trauma informed care with the structural dissociation theory of personality, along with practices informed by internal family systems to deliver a tailored approach, in addition to trauma therapy that targets the root causes.
Your past does not have to be your future. Dissociation is a common response to trauma. While dissociation may seem alarming, it is possible to work through it with a knowledgeable therapist. I have experience and training in working with dissociation and I can help you understand and work through it. Please contact me if you would like to set up a free intake and we can get started on the process of helping you move forward with your future.
Registered Social Worker, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Dissociative disorders manifest a profound interplay between the psyche's protective mechanisms and the echoes of past trauma. A person's sense of self can be shattered, resulting in a loss of identity and reality. This can be caused by events such as severe trauma, caregiver relationship problems, and early attachment experiences. Like a fragmented mosaic, dissociative symptoms manifest as a coping mechanism, shielding individuals from the unbearable weight of their past experiences. Therapy offers a sacred space for exploration and integration, gently guiding individuals through the labyrinth of dissociation to reclaim their sense of wholeness and connection. By fostering secure attachments and processing traumatic memories, individuals can mend the fractures of their psyche, forging a path towards healing and self-discovery.
8 Years Experience
