A Couple of Multiples: The Reality of Living with Dissociative Identity Disorder

Drew & Garden System

There’s never a dull moment for hosts, Drew and Garden System, who are a couple that have both been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder. While they are navigating their healing journey, they continue to manage full time careers, raise four teenagers and a house full of pets. Not only do they aim to speak to people who have lived experience with DID and their supporters, but also therapists and anyone who wants to learn more. The podcast talks about Dissociative Identity Disorder in a way that someone who knows nothing about DID will be able to understand, and at the same time is designed to be a resource for therapists, while supporting and validating those with lived experience. Dissociative Identity Disorder is a highly stigmatized mental health diagnosis that has been subject to many myths and misinformation over the years. These myths, along with highly-sensationalized media portrayals, have led to many who still believe this disorder is not real and simply created by therapists who impose themselves on highly suggestible clients. The goal of the podcast is to dispel these myths and educate the world at large the truth about Dissociative Identity Disorder, and the reality of what having this diagnosis really looks like. The brain had to find a unique way to cope in order to survive the trauma people with DID faced from a very young age. Also, this condition is not rare, although many reputable sources still cite it as such. People with DID are ordinary members in your community that you might encounter in your daily life. Drew and Garden System want to shed light on the challenging symptoms people with DID face and share how they have overcome those challenges and found the gifts of joy that all of their parts bring to each other.

Episodes

Mentioned books

Nov 5, 2024 • 1h 30min

Switching, Co-consciousness, & Coming Together with Dissociative Identity Disorder

Drew and Garden System share inspiring personal stories of navigating life with dissociative identity disorder. They discuss how improving internal communication has helped them purposefully switch between different identities. The journey from chaotic switching to co-consciousness is explored, highlighting the importance of a safe internal environment. They also touch on the transformative healing process, including the symbolic demolition of trauma and the creation of an empowering internal space. Their insights provide a unique perspective on living authentically with multiple identities.

Aug 20, 2024 • 36min

Resolving Internal Conflicts & Discovering Strengths Within a Dissociative System

Drew & Garden System share personal stories of how they resolved internal conflicts, using a concept called trust by proxy, how they determined what was best for the whole system, how to identify and use the strengths of each self within the system, and some of the ways to keep up with all the daily little things when you live with Dissociative Identity Disorder.Please visit https://acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list where you can learn more about our online community called Hearts Multiplied, for those living with a dissociative disorder, their supporters, and mental health professionals.We are honored to have a gold plus sponsor for season 2! The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is one of the largest EMDR Therapy training programs in North America, founded and directed by Dr. Jamie+ Marich, author of Dissociation Made Simple. Dr. Jamie is the only EMDR therapy trainer who is "out" as a plural, and since 2015 she's offered the full EMDR Therapy basic training in a way that honors lived experience and destigmatizes dissociation in clinical work. We have never felt more accepted and validated as a multiple than when we were able to show up authentically as Garden System for our basic EMDR training. Having lived experience is valued and respected in these training courses. Go to www.instituteforcreativemindfulness.com for a full list of upcoming trainings, both online and in-person, offered by Dr. Jamie and her selected network of EMDR trainers.Thank you to our bronze sponsor, Alix Amar LCSW, who offers weekly Creative Art classes including the Creative Journal, Soul Collage and Altered Books, all on the Zoom Platform exclusively for people living with dissociation. For more information check out her website at alixamar.com or her Facebook page "Dissociative Creative Explorations".Are you interested in becoming a sponsor? Please send an email to admin@acoupleofmultiples.com to request more information.Follow us on Instagram: @acoupleofmultiples, @note_to_selves, @seidi_gardensystem Follow us on TikTok: @seidi_gardensystem, @note_to_selves Follow us on Facebook: A Couple of Multiples - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556823127239 Visit our website: acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list, join our private, on-line community Hearts Multiplied, register for peer coaching, consultations, and workshops!

Aug 6, 2024 • 1h 3min

You Lied to Me About God: An Interview with Dr. Jamie+ Marich

Drew & Garden System have an important conversation with Dr. Jamie+ Marich about her upcoming memoir, You Lied to Me About God. You can pre-order a copy now anywhere books are sold! They discuss the impact of religious trauma and spiritual abuse and how it can contribute to dissociation. They each share personal stories about their journeys of coming out as people with dissociative systems and being part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Also discussed is the impact of purity culture and sexual abuse. Please take care of your selves while listening!Dr. Jamie Marich (she/they/we) is the author of the popular Dissociation Made Simple: A Stigma-Free Guide to Embracing Your Dissociative Mind and Navigating Life (2023), now available as both a book and a clinical flipchart. She is the author of over 10 other books and manuals in the field of trauma, addiction recovery, and the expressive arts. They are an EMDR Therapy trainer and founder of The Institute for Creative Mindfulness, one of the largest training organizations in North America that works to create an inclusive space for plural trainees and others with dissociative responses. In 2019, the EMDR International Association awarded Jamie with their Advocacy Award for her work in destigmatizing dissociative disorders and other mental health concerns. Personally, Jamie+ is known as the Unicorn System and is a long-time presenter at Healing Together. In October of 2024, her first full memoir comes out called You Lied to Me About God, focusing on her experiences with spiritual abuse and religious trauma. They are based in Akron, Ohio on Erie Nation Land.Please visit https://acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list where you can learn more about our online community, Hearts Multiplied, for those living with a dissociative disorder, their supporters, and mental health professionals.We are honored to have a gold plus sponsor for season 2! The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is one of the largest EMDR Therapy training programs in North America, founded and directed by Dr. Jamie+ Marich, author of Dissociation Made Simple. Dr. Jamie is the only EMDR therapy trainer who is "out" as a plural, and since 2015 she's offered the full EMDR Therapy basic training in a way that honors lived experience and destigmatizes dissociation in clinical work. We have never felt more accepted and validated as a multiple than when we were able to show up authentically as Garden System for our basic EMDR training. Having lived experience is valued and respected in these training courses. Go to www.instituteforcreativemindfulness.com for a full list of upcoming trainings, both online and in-person, offered by Dr. Jamie and her selected network of EMDR trainers.Are you interested in becoming a sponsor? Please send an email to admin@acoupleofmultiples.com to request more information.Follow us on Instagram: @acoupleofmultiples, @note_to_selves, @seidi_gardensystem Follow us on TikTok: @seidi_gardensystem, @note_to_selves Follow us on Facebook: A Couple of Multiples - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556823127239 Visit our website: acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list, join our private, on-line community Hearts Multiplied, register for peer coaching, consultations, and workshops!

Jul 30, 2024 • 45min

Building Bonds & Creating Trust Between Selves in Dissociative Systems

Join Drew and the Garden System as they share their journey of nurturing trust among their multiple selves. They discuss the dynamics of leadership within their dissociative system and the fascinating origins of their fictive identities inspired by a beloved book series. The hosts unravel the complexities of internal cooperation and safety planning, particularly emphasizing the needs of their littles. Their personal stories highlight the significance of compassionate communication and creative strategies for fostering healing and collaboration.

Jul 23, 2024 • 1h 43min

What You Really Need to Know About Eating Disorders and Dissociative Identities: An Interview with Annie Goldsmith, RD, LDN

Drew & Garden System get real with Annie Goldsmith, sharing personal stories and uncovering the root causes of eating disorder behaviors and how they might show up in those living with dissociative identity disorder.Annie Goldsmith, RD, LDN holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester in Brain and Cognitive Sciences and attended Winthrop University for her graduate coursework in human nutrition. Her educational and professional trajectory has always been guided by a strong curiosity about the ways our biology and psychology interact to inform our human experience. Annie worked in neuroscience research labs at New York University and Davidson College before pursuing a career in nutrition. She has experience treating eating disorders at the PHP, IOP, and outpatient levels of care. She opened her outpatient group practice, Second Breakfast Nutrition, in 2015.Annie’s practice is rooted in a foundational belief in the inherent worthiness of all bodies. She centers weight inclusive, social justice oriented, and trauma informed frameworks in her approach to eating disorder care and recovery. Annie became interested in somatically and polyvagal-informed approaches to nutrition therapy in 2018 when she began training with the Embodied Recovery Institute, where she now provides training as part of the faculty. Annie has presented on the intersection of eating disorders and dissociation at the ISSTD World Conference, as well as the Healing Together conference. Annie is passionate about working with clients from a “bottom up” approach, centering and supporting the wisdom of the body and its innate capacity for healing.You can visit Annie's website here at Second Breakfast Nutrition.Please visit https://acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list where you can learn more about our online community for those living with a dissociative disorder, their supporters, and mental health professionals.We are honored to have a gold plus sponsor for season 2! The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is one of the largest EMDR Therapy training programs in North America, founded and directed by Dr. Jamie+ Marich, author of Dissociation Made Simple. Dr. Jamie is the only EMDR therapy trainer who is "out" as a plural, and since 2015 she's offered the full EMDR Therapy basic training in a way that honors lived experience and destigmatizes dissociation in clinical work. We have never felt more accepted and validated as a multiple than when we were able to show up authentically as Garden System for our basic EMDR training. Having lived experience is valued and respected in these training courses. Go to www.instituteforcreativemindfulness.com for a full list of upcoming trainings, both online and in-person, offered by Dr. Jamie and her selected network of EMDR trainers. Thank you to our bronze sponsor, Alix Amar LCSW, who offers weekly Creative Art classes including the Creative Journal, Soul Collage and Altered Books, all on the Zoom Platform exclusively for people living with dissociation. For more information check out her website at alixamar.com or her Facebook page "Dissociative Creative Explorations". Are you interested in becoming a sponsorFollow us on Instagram: @acoupleofmultiples, @note_to_selves, @seidi_gardensystem Follow us on TikTok: @seidi_gardensystem, @note_to_selves Follow us on Facebook: A Couple of Multiples - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556823127239 Visit our website: acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list, join our private, on-line community Hearts Multiplied, register for peer coaching, consultations, and workshops!

Jul 16, 2024 • 1h 14min

Applying IFS with Dissociative Identities: An Interview with Ocean, a Certified IFS Licensed Therapist

Drew & Garden System have a lively discussion with Ocean about the use of Internal Family Systems, particularly with Dissociative Identity Disorder. Come learn all about the special considerations clinicians need to keep in mind and implement when they choose to use IFS as an intervention with their DID clients.Ocean is a highly educated and Certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) licensed therapist, having completed all three levels of IFS training. With over thirty years of experience in the mental health field, she began her career in a psychiatric trauma and inpatient unit. Ocean specializes in working with individuals who have Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), Dissociative Disorders (DD), and eating disorders.As a program assistant in IFS Level One training, she has presented on using IFS with individuals with dissociative disorders during break-out sessions. Her diverse academic background includes degrees in Educational Leadership and Clinical Teaching in Special Education, which, combined with her compassion, enable her to share valuable experience and knowledge with other therapists in the field of treating Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) clients using the IFS model. Ocean firmly believes in the IFS principle that all parts are welcome.Her integrative approach blends mind-body techniques and meditation with IFS, inspiring her journey to become a yoga teacher. She strives to foster a deeper connection with parts work while incorporating holistic practices within IFS. Currently, she is furthering her studies in Ayurveda. In her spare time, Ocean enjoys connecting with nature, swimming, living the van life, spending quality time with her human and furry family members, and meditating by the ocean.Please visit https://acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list where you can learn more about our online community for those living with a dissociative disorder, their supporters, and mental health professionals.We are honored to have a gold plus sponsor for season 2! The Institute for Creative Mindfulness is one of the largest EMDR Therapy training programs in North America, founded and directed by Dr. Jamie+ Marich, author of Dissociation Made Simple. Dr. Jamie is the only EMDR therapy trainer who is "out" as a plural, and since 20 15 she's offered the full EMDR Therapy basic training in a way that honors lived experience and destigmatizes dissociation in clinical work. We have never felt more accepted and validated as a multiple than when we were able to show up authentically as Garden System for our basic EMDR training. Having lived experience is valued and respected in these training courses. Go to www.instituteforcreativemindfulness.com for a full list of upcoming trainings, both online and in-person, offered by Dr. Jamie and her selected network of EMDR trainers. Are you interested in becoming a sponsor? Please send an email to admin@acoupleofmultiples.com to request more information.Follow us on Instagram: @acoupleofmultiples, @note_to_selves, @seidi_gardensystem Follow us on TikTok: @seidi_gardensystem, @note_to_selves Follow us on Facebook: A Couple of Multiples - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556823127239 Visit our website: acoupleofmultiples.com to sign up for our mailing list, join our private, on-line community Hearts Multiplied, register for peer coaching, consultations, and workshops!

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