Joanne Twombly, a Certified IFS Therapist and author on dissociative disorders, shares her expertise in trauma therapy. She discusses the importance of coping skills and the innovative 'fire drill' exercise for emotional clarity. The conversation highlights the complexities of dissociation and the vital role of safe spaces, hypnosis, and internal communication in healing. Joanne also emphasizes the necessity of a holistic understanding of trauma's impact on mental health, especially in therapeutic settings.
Integrating IFS with coping strategies and techniques like the fire drill is essential for effectively addressing dissociative disorders and complex PTSD.
Establishing safe spaces and phase-oriented treatment methodologies helps clients manage overwhelming emotions and promotes healthier therapeutic outcomes.
Deep dives
Understanding Dissociation and IFS Integration
The integration of Internal Family Systems (IFS) with techniques like the fire drill is essential in addressing dissociative disorders and complex PTSD. It's emphasized that while IFS is a powerful therapy, some additional components can enhance its effectiveness for individuals with dissociative issues. For instance, managing countertransference during therapy sessions is vital, prompting therapists to identify and organize their own parts before engaging with clients. This reflective practice ensures that therapists remain centered, enabling them to conduct sessions more effectively, particularly when working with complex traumas that can trigger various parts of the self.
The Nuances of Dissociative Parts
Dissociative parts differ significantly from typical parts seen in IFS, mainly due to their complex backgrounds and functioning. These parts often carry significant burdens resulting from chronic trauma and can isolate themselves from others, making internal communication challenging. The episode explores how these parts require careful attention and nurturing, as they may be frightened by the prospect of exposure in therapy. Acknowledging their roles and helping them develop coping strategies is crucial for the healing process, ensuring they are not overwhelmed when delving into painful memories.
The Role of Coping Skills and Communication
Establishing internal communication and developing coping skills are foundational for individuals with dissociative disorders in therapy. Techniques like safe space imagery can be employed to help clients manage overwhelming emotions and triggers safely. These coping skills not only assist in grounding clients during distress but also encourage cooperation among their parts, allowing for more structured therapeutic sessions. By utilizing approaches that foster understanding and collaboration, therapists can equip clients with essential tools to navigate their complex internal landscapes.
The Importance of Pace in Trauma Treatment
Phase-oriented trauma treatment is highlighted as an effective approach when working with clients who have significant dissociative histories. This method focuses on establishing a therapeutic relationship and teaching coping mechanisms before uncovering traumatic material at a manageable pace. By ensuring clients feel safe and supported throughout their journey, therapists promote healthier outcomes and reduce the risk of being overwhelmed during the healing process. In this way, therapy can transition smoothly from developing skills to engaging with and unburdening traumatic experiences, empowering clients to reclaim their lives.
On today's episode I chat with Certified IFS Therapist Joanne Twombly. This episode, which premiered in Season 3, is one of the most popular and most downloaded of the entire series.
We discuss:
Why we still need coping skills
The "Fire Drill" exercise to quickly unblend from parts
Integrating IFS into Phase Oriented Treatment
Why diagnosis is helpful - Burdens (and Self!) in Managers, Firefighters, and Exiles
Safe spaces - Hypnosis and trance states
TW: We discuss trauma in this episode. There is discussion about 49 minutes into the episode that may be upsetting to some.
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Get Joanna's book here: Trauma and Dissociation Informed Internal Family Systems: How to Successfully Treat C-PTSD, and Dissociative Disorders: https://a.co/d/icIF2ja
Joanne wrote a chapter entitled "Integrating Phase Oriented Treatment of Clients with Dissociative Disorders" in the IFS: New Dimensions book, found here: https://a.co/d/aMQWiMJ
Learn more about Joanne here: https://joannetwombly.net/
Sign up for Tammy's email list and get a free "Get to know a Should part of you" meditation on her website
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Tammy is grateful for Jack Reardon who created music for the podcast. Jack is a graduate of Derek Scott’s IFS Stepping Stones Program. You can follow Jack at bonzemusic on Instagram.
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If you are interested in sponsoring an episode or two of The One Inside Podcast please contact Tammy at tammysollenberger@comcast.net
This episode is sponsored by Pisgah Coaching Institute founded by IFS-trained Master Coach, Brian Jaudon. Enrollment is now open for 2025 season! To learn more go to: Pisgah Coaching
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