Dissociation is the mind's defense against persistent or severe trauma and neglect. It is when a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity. This process is an amazing defense/survival mechanism, but it also leads to patterns that interfere with normal functioning. Ego-state work, combined with EMDR works to heal the profoundly painful impact of this type of trauma, and leads to significantly enhanced resilience and the ability to experience joy, love and belonging - both internally, and in relationships with others.
When we dissociate from our bodies or the environment, our system is often attempting to protect and regulate itself from overwhelm. So we need to explore what is overwhelming the body and nervous system, and how to best respond. I also recommend a deep distress tolerance practice here--learning to accept and be with ourselves no matter how we are showing up.
Significant trauma may lead to the onset of a dissociative disorder. Our work together can help work on managing the significant emotional distress and trauma and improve affect tolerance.
Hypnotherapist, Licensed RTT Practitioner, Clinical Hypnotist, Duke Certified Health Coach, Spiritual Counselor
We can work through your dissociated disorders with different tools. Clients have found the emotion code, and RTT to be very helpful in managing their dissociative disorders.
These disorders call for therapies which have prove successful in encountering them and which will be selected based on the personality, characteristics, and needs of the client.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, Psychotherapist, Psychoanalytic Candidate
As a psychoanalytically trained therapist, I delve into the unconscious mind to understand and treat dissociative disorders. Dissociation, where a person experiences a disconnect from their thoughts, emotions, or memories, can often stem from past traumas. Through our work together, we'll gently explore these unconscious memories and hidden emotional conflicts that contribute to dissociation. By bringing unconscious experiences to light, we can facilitate communication and integration between fragmented parts of the self, ultimately promoting healing and a stronger sense of wholeness.
I am a psychologist, marriage family therapist, bioenergetic analyst, and psychoanalyst with more than 30 years of clinical experience in treating adolescents, adults, and marital couples. I am skilled in helping a person to feel understood and related to in a new and helpful way.
Sometime in the past, you were exposed to something, or a series of somethings, so radically alarming that your mind and body and spirit could not remain integrated. You split apart in order to survive. And as the threat subsided, you connected back to yourself, but fractures remain, and you never know when a new stressor will send you into a dissociative state once again. You don't have to live your life, floating like a ghost behind, and above your body, witnessing it all from afar. Let's heal your dissociation, and mend the inner schisms.