Dissociative disorders (DD) are mental conditions characterized by disturbances or breakdowns of memory, awareness, identity, or perception. Typically, dissociative disorders occur as a coping mechanism for the brain to deal with a situation too upsetting for the conscious mind to process. Dissociative disorders are thought to be primarily caused by trauma or abuse, causing the individual to escape reality in involuntary and pathological ways. They can also be caused by things like stress or substance abuse. There are three main types of dissociative disorders: 1. dissociative amnesia and/or fugue: selective amnesia of a specific time, person or event. 2. Dissociative identity disorder: an indistinct or distorted sense of identity. 3. Depersonalization disorder: a feeling of being detached from yourself. If you think you may be suffering from a dissociative disorder, reach out to one of TherapyDen’s experts today.
There are always valid reasons why our nervous systems protect us with dissociative experiences. But that doesn’t make them any less disruptive and painful. Together, we could befriend and study your unique nervous system and inner world, so that we learn what you most need to feel safer. Because when your nervous system and inner world feel safer, you’ll have less intense and fewer disruptive dissociative experiences.
— Jonathan Lee, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Oakland, CAI provide trauma-informed therapy for clients living with complex PTSD and dissociative disorders to understand and accept all parts of themselves, learn to discern and trust themselves and others, and heal from the past to embrace a more hopeful future.
— Katie Adams, Counselor in Winter Park, FLDissociative disorders are more common than many realize. Because I specialize in trauma, and dissociation is a very common and primal response to trauma, I have training in this area, with sensitivity to complex trauma, RA, and other somatic trauma responses.
— Anya Surnitsky, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in ,The dissociative spectrum is broad and goes all the way from being "in the zone" to Dissociative Identity Disorder. Dissociation is a natural phenomenon and we all do it to a degree. For some of us, this natural protection kicks in so much that it begins to disorder our lives. By combining trauma-informed theory with IFS techniques, I am able to help clients normalize the dissociation process and gently gain more control over their experience by healing their emotional parts.
— Lara Dubowchik, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Highland Park, NJI have eight years of experience in treating dissociative disorders, attachment issues, and complex PTSD.
— Scott Hoye, Psychologist in Chicago, ILI'm a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (level 2) and I've been working with Dissociative Identity Disorder for 5 years. Before trauma work is done, we first focus on stabilizing your system and equipping you with skills and techniques to improve regulation and decrease the chaos. I'm trauma-informed and non-confrontational in my approach. See the video at my website for more information about DID.
— Alicia Polk, Licensed Professional Counselor in Belton, MOI have taken advanced trainings on the treatment of trauma and dissociation and integrate EMDR, parts work and sand tray with clients who experience dissociation. I am an active member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.
— Mary Bernard, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in DeLand, FLDo you ever experience a disconnection from yourself and others? Do you ever feel like you have separate parts of yourself? Do you struggle to ground and calm yourself? We can look at all you're experiencing and settle on either a diagnosis or help you to connect more with the different parts of yourself that are coming up. The goal of treatment is to work through stuck feelings and increase your ability to connect more with yourself.
— Hayley Miller, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Studio City, CAI treat the full umbrella of dissociative disorders, from DID (dissociative identity disorder) to dissociative amnesia and depersonalization/derealization. Psychoanalysis can be fruitful in helping clients tolerate and feel more in control of their dissociative symptoms and the triggers that prompt their dissociating.
— Sam Naimi, Psychoanalyst in Encino, CAReclaim Your Wholeness—On Your Terms Trauma can create a disconnect between mind and body, often leading to dissociation. I help high-achieving women understand this protective mechanism and navigate their healing—whether through integration, stabilization, or simply feeling more present. For those with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), I provide a safe, supportive space where you decide your path, with compassionate guidance every step of the way.
— Akinlana Burrowes, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Charlotte, NCDissociation is not a dirty word. I have years of personal and professional experience working with dissociative responses and focus on normalizing the experience, building skills to minimize it when it is unhelpful, and helping folks let go of the shame that often comes with it.
— Esha Mehta, Social Worker in Greenwood Village, COI have training integrating Ego State Therapy and EMDR to help relieve symptoms of dissociation at the clients pace. An important factor in treating dissociation is to identify the symptoms of dissociation and develop an understanding of how past experiences may be contributing to the current distress.
— Sara Galindo, Clinical Social Worker in Texas,I have training in depth psychotherapy, EMDR, and DBT, which can all be used to help people progress in their recovery from dissociative disorders. I have experience working with people who are diagnosed with dissociative disorders.
— Kristen Hornung, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Encinitas, CAI work with people who may experience derealization, depersonalization, or don't feel connected to body, space, and/or time. Dissociation is a spectrum that ranges from very mild symptoms through to forms of dissociative identify disorder. The important thing to know is this is what we humans do, you're not"crazy." Some of us may need more help to feel grounded and/or present. Treatment modalities include EMDR with Ego State and embodied skills practices.
— Teresa Petersen, Clinical Social Worker in Houston, TXI have training and experience working with folx living with complex dissociation, structural dissociation, depersonalization and derealization.
— Chelsea Williams, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in Bellingham, WADissociation exists on a spectrum, and can be an intelligent survival strategy implemented to deal with trauma, significant pain or stress, or overwhelm. Helping survivors with dissociative symptoms and experiences, I utilize a trauma-informed and neurobiological lens - including structural dissociation model, sensorimotor psychotherapy (somatic), and mindfulness.
— Krystal Ying, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Sebastopol, CAI have experience working with systems, which some people call Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). My goal in working with systems is to provide consistent communication and cooperation among your parts (sometitimes called "headmates" or other terms). I do not consider "integration" or dissolving a system (into a singlet) a legitimate, respectful, therapeutic goal.
— Georgie Kelly, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in San Diego, CADissociation is a survival response to overwhelming experiences, and healing requires a compassionate, structured approach. I specialize in working with dissociative disorders using Internal Family Systems, somatic therapy, and EMDR to gently reconnect clients with their inner world. My approach helps clients build a sense of safety, integrate fragmented parts of the self, and develop skills to stay grounded. Together, we work toward wholeness, stability, and deeper self-trust.
— Shlomo Schor, Licensed Professional Counselor in Columbia, MD