english

Book review: Growing beyond Survival (E. Vermilyea)

by Theresa on January 17, 2018 in books, english

Growing beyond survival – a self-help toolkit for managing traumatic stress – by Elisabeth Vermilyea Written for: people with PTSD Special focus: self-help, practical exercises What it is not: a book specifically about coping with extreme dissociation about DID Language: Everything is explained step by step, psychological terms are explained with easy […]

Book review: the dissociative identity disorder sourcebook (D. B. Haddock)

by Theresa on January 16, 2018 in books, english

Written for: people interested in DID. Some is for therapists, some for patients, a little for significant others. Some of the information is specific for the US only. Special focus: it doesn’t have one. This book offers broad information about DID. That is its greatest strength and weakness at the same time. […]

Your (scrap)book of resources

by Theresa on January 10, 2018 in basics, books, english

To support therapy and stabilization it helps to collect all the resources you have found or learned and keep them in one place. That is why we own a resource (scrap)book. It is a visual and tangible reminder of helpful and positive things. Being creative when making it also deepens our understanding of our coping […]

Regulators

by Theresa on January 9, 2018 in basics, english, Self-regulation

The three main concepts we need for self-regulation (as opposed to relational regulation) are gauges, regulators and containers. While imagery, breathing techniques, relaxation exercises, DBT Skills, mindfulness, distraction etc are all „regulators“, you can literally use a regulator to return to your window of tolerance. Before you start to create a regulator you might want […]

Book review: The therapeutic treasure box … (Dr K. Treisman)

by Theresa on January 7, 2018 in books, english

The therapeutic treasure box for working with children and adolescents with developmental trauma – creative techniques and activities – by Dr Karen Treisman Written for: therapists who treat traumatized children and adolescents. Also people working in foster care. Some exercises are clearly therapy work though and should only be done with a therapist present. […]

Roll call (SystemWork)

by Theresa on December 3, 2017 in DID, english

There are different ways to “check in“ with yourselves, but the shortest one is probably the roll call. Roll calls are usually done with the military or police. Everyone get in a line, is called up by name and responds by giving the information asked for. It is an organized and structured way to check […]

For christian counselors: on deliverance ministry

by Theresa on November 23, 2017 in DID, english, for helpers

If you are an atheist or fundamentalist and looking for a fight, please go away. This article is not for you. I will not tolerate disrespectful comments. If you know that you will be offended by anything christian, please stop reading now. I am not attempting to offend and seeking offense is immature love. I […]

Dealing with anger (nonviolent communication)

by Theresa on November 9, 2017 in Emotions, english, Self-regulation

We have decided not to use the tools of the abusers when talking to other people or within the system. It means that we do not use punishment as a tool in relationships. It also means that we try to communicate openly without manipulation or triangulation. These tools might have been helpful once, while stuck […]

Preparation for emotional regulation: hyperarousal

by Theresa on November 6, 2017 in basics, DBT Skills, english, Self-regulation

PTSD makes managing feelings extra hard. That is why we will look at ways to deal with different emotions. But before we start with these steps there is one thing we need to take care of: And that is hyperarousal (flight/fight response) Hyperarousal (fight) is not anger, but the impulse for action might be similar, […]

Inner helpers (feat. Unicorn)

by Theresa on October 12, 2017 in english, guided imagery

„Outside“ helpers are not always available. They go on vacation, they sleep, they have a private life,too. While it is necessary to build a network of helpers on the outside you can also find help on the inside. And it will be just what you need, because you created it yourself. Let’s talk about inner […]

The jumping Box -more containment (guided imagery)

by Theresa on October 10, 2017 in english, guided imagery

Some traumatized people (or Littles) struggle using a safe/vault for Containment, because it triggers memory. I don’t have to explain that; if it’s you, you know exactly what I mean. Containment can also be a great relief and that is why I want to share a variation that could be easier and definitely will be […]

SystemWork in a Sand Tray

by Theresa on October 5, 2017 in DID, english, therapy

A sand tray is especially interesting when working with a DID system. Things become visible, tangible. We are using an „Inner world technique“. Maps A sand tray can help you with mapping. You can find figures or symbols for all of you and place them in the tray in a way that describes your […]