Dual awareness is an important mental skill that is needed for regulation and trauma processing. For dual awareness we need to be able to pay attention to our inner reality and our senses, that tell us about the outside reality at the same time. That way we can stay oriented and grounded in triggering situations. […]
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The Space In Between – an alternative approach to mindfulness
Here is a collection of exercises that all focus on the space in between instead of the thing itself. It is easier to understand once you try it, so let’s jump right in. The space between subject and object Take a deep breath and let it out. Then look around and pick […]
Dealing with trance logic in dissociative disorders
Trance logic describes logical glitches that can exist when people get hypnotized and enter a trance state. In that state of mind we can accept statements as true even though they deeply contradict each other. We simply don’t notice that they can’t possibly be true at the same time. Nothing is questioned or reality-checked, it […]
Epiphany #8 : The Whole
Recently we posted an exercise that uses attention to move between awareness for the details and the whole. We need the same posture in DID therapy. We tend to get absorbed by single parts, their characteristics, needs, emotions, goals etc and explore every little detail. While that is valuable, it is not how we […]
Reenacting trauma patterns in therapy: neglect
Navigating attachment and dependency in therapy has always been difficult. Developmental trauma just adds a deep sense of desperation to the problem and makes it more complicated. There is a lot written about unhealthy dependency in therapy and how to avoid it. Today I want to shine a light on the effect that chronic […]
PEP- an additional technique for trauma therapy
PEP stands for Process- and Embodiment-focused Psychology. Like EFT it is rooted in Energy Psychology but it has moved away from these roots considerably and rejects the unscientific/new-age aspects. Tapping is still an important part of this technique, but it is complemented by cognitive interventions and is therefore useful for more than just emotional […]
Open and focused attention exercises
Our attention is one of the most basic tools we use in therapy and it is also an area of struggle for many. Sometimes we narrow our attention too much. It limits our awareness to that one area of experience that is painful or problematic. That way we are unable to notice all the other […]
Classification of Dissociative Parts using Action Systems
The attempt to describe dissociative parts of the personality most accurately led to the incorporation of the concept of action systems into the theory. Action systems are considered the most basic subsystems of our human behavior. Actions toward the survival of the species, energy management, attachment, caretaking and social interaction, exploration, play, reproduction and […]
The Problem with the Definition of Dissociation
The world of science has a bit of a problem when it comes to the word ‘dissociation’. The definition isn’t clear anymore. Different categories of experiences all get labeled as ‘dissociation’ without adding a hint about what kind of dissociation is referred to. This very blog is guilty of it too. There is no […]
The Art of Looking Around
One of the most important tools we can learn in trauma recovery and self-regulation is how to look around. It sounds too simple to be true, but I promise, it can make a huge difference. Here is how to look around Sit down so you are facing the room or your environment. Maybe keep […]
EFT for self-regulation
EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Technique and belongs into the category of Energy Psychology, the roots are in Traditional Chinese Medicine though. Different acupressure points on the body are tapped with the fingers while speaking sentences that combine the distressing experience and a self-affirmation. Tapping energetic pathways running through the body (meridians) to influence […]
Learning relaxation with biofeedback
Trauma is not a ‘mental’ disorder, the whole body suffers from chronic stress. It sits deeply within our nervous system. Our traumatized body will struggle with relaxation and sometimes we have been tense for so many years that we actually don’t know how to relax and what that even feels like. Biofeedback technology can help […]
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