What Therapists Should Know About Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders: An Interview with Dr. Jamie Marich

Curt and Katie interview Dr. Jamie Marich, author of Dissociation Made Simple, about dissociation and dissociative identities. We talk with Jamie about what therapists often get wrong as well as some basics on what dissociation is and how best to understand and treat it (when it actually needs treating).

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode, we talk about how therapists can support clients navigating dissociation

A friend of the show, Dr. Jamie Marich, wrote a book Dissociation Made Simple, and we wanted to talk about it!

What are therapists getting wrong when learning about and treating dissociation?

• Not believing in dissociative identities or dissociative systems
• Fear of and misunderstanding of dissociation
• Thinking of dissociation as a dirt word and something to avoid
• Believing that dissociation must always be healed (when in fact it could be useful at times)

What is dissociation? What is dissociative identity disorder or dissociative experience?

• Exploring different definitions and conceptualizations
• It is a lot of different things
• Severing/separating from the present moment or from aspects of ourselves
• Disaggregation or dividing your self into parts
• Purposeful, meeting a need or protection
• The shift to thinking about elements of dissociation as adaptive or maladaptive situationally

How can therapists support clients in understanding and managing their own dissociation?

• Helping clients to identify what purpose their dissociation is serving
• Assessing dissociative profile through an inventory in the book (triggers, how we dissociate, adaptive/maladaptive)
• All dissociative behaviors can be assessed as adaptive or maladaptive

How can a therapist assess for dissociative identities or systems?

• Language may vary (parts, defenders, team, selves, side, aspect, etc.)
• Previous diagnosis or self-diagnosis
• Listen for the experience (a “part of me” wants this, a “side of me” wants this)
• Speaking in a parts-informed way
• Exploring for thinking from different parts of self, potentially even already with names
• Dissociative Identities inventories

What are clinical goals with clients who have dissociative experiences and/or identities?

• When working with someone with a system, will need to get buy in from all elements of the team for treatment goals
• Goals may not align across different parts
• The theory that you’re working with a family
• Many clients have Chronic PTSD and the focus of treatment may be trauma
• The importance of being trauma informed
• Grounding, anchoring, or settling into the present moment
• The goal is usually NOT integration
• Cohesion, communication, or cooperation

How can therapists overcome their fear about dissociation?

• Identifying your own dissociation
• Overcoming the “us versus them” related to dissociation
• Moving away from bias and stereotypes of folks who dissociate

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!

Dissociation Made Simple (the book)

Jamie’s website: redefinetherapy.com

Jamie’s social media:

 Trauma Therapist Rants on Twitter

Trauma Therapist Rants on TikTok

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Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:

Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/

Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/