Trauma creates a disconnection from our body. Sometimes it shows in numbness for physical sensations and needs. We don’t feel hunger, cold or pain. It makes taking care of ourselves difficult and we might neglect our body. A lot of trauma survivors think of the body as their enemy. Something that needs to be avoided […]
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In the Mirror of the Other (advanced)
Our own integration starts in the thinking mind of our therapist I wrote that almost exactly 3 years ago when talking about the therapeutic relationship. As I move into later phases of therapy it seems to me that this is one of the most profound things I have ever said. So please forgive […]
Winter Break / Winterpause
Those of you who have been around for a while know that we usually take December off to focus on our own system. It has been a busy year, trying to help others, online and through advocacy work. We need to do things for ourselves for a couple of weeks to restore our energy. We […]
Misinterpretations of DID-related behaviors (for helpers)
When we have DID, it is incredibly easy to get a misdiagnosis because the behaviors that we show based on our trauma history or inner experience get misinterpreted by mental health professionals. Common misdiagnoses are all kinds of personality disorders, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. In some cases, we might show isolated behaviors that are considered […]
Grounded Rescripting with dissociative parts
In Rescripting Techniques we work with the traumatic memory by looking at the scene and then changing things about it in our imagination to resolve the situation and bring it to a new and better ending. It is often done in the form of a rescue mission where our present self or adult parts enter […]
Epiphany #11: The Difference
What would make a difference? This is an essential question in DID therapy. Many of the normal therapy tools fail to reach deeper into the system than the facade of a host. The host agrees to do what is asked. They always do what they are supposed to do. But, does it make […]
Recovery from trauma processing
Trauma processing is difficult on a number of levels. There is emotional stress when we look at scenes from the past, physical stress because we re-experience some of the stress responses, mental stress because our brain is trying hard to process the memory and figure out the necessary integrative actions and there is stress within […]
Earned secure attachment within a DID system
Everyone has attachment. It is how humans are built. Not everyone has secure attachment though. The 3 insecure attachment types are anxious/preoccupied, avoidant/dismissive and disorganized. The vast majority of people with DID have disorganized attachment when we look at the whole person. This presentation is based on some parts who are attachment seeking and anxious […]
The 3 Phases of Trauma Therapy 3: Integration
Trauma and DID therapists commonly agree on working with a 3-phase model. It describes an order in which to do work for the best, fastest and safest results. In an attempt to keep articles short we will share about the different phases in separate articles. The 3 phases are Stabilization Trauma Processing Integration It […]
Integrating Contradicting Parts
Dissociated parts are not all the same person at a different developmental stage. The functions and abilities of one complete person were separated into many pieces to cope with traumatic situations. And then parts kept developing and growing around the piece of functioning that they contain. Today, they are more than this one ability or […]
Book review: Organized sexual abuse (Michael Salter)
Organized sexual abuse – by Michael Salter (2014) [CAUTION: The content of this book is highly triggering. This overview is highly triggering. It mentions some details of organized and ritual abuse that are highly emotional and triggering. Take responsibility for your own well-being. This is disturbing and you are warned] Written […]
Blending dissociative parts (advanced)
Blending is an act where dissociative barriers are dissolved for a limited time so that the experience of one part mixes with the experience of another. They experience a temporary unity of self and they can move apart again intentionally, as they wish. During the first phases of our treatment we want to avoid blending […]
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