Dissociative Disorders

“Once released from old memories, we are no longer held captive by our past.” - Michael Baldwin & Deborah Korn

Do you feel like you detach from yourself when things get overwhelming or stressful? It can be a numbing or detachment from our emotions; looking in the mirror and feeling like you look strange or foreign; feeling like you are outside of body; feeling like you are watching a movie of yourself; feeling unreal or robotic; feeling like a part of you is observing while another part participates in day to day; feeling invisible; loss of feeling in parts of your body; or having altered perceptions of your body.

Do you feel like the world around you is unreal? Do you question whether events are truly happening? It can feel like we are detaching from the environment and may notice that others close to us look/feel strange and/or unfamiliar; a sense that what is happening is not real; a sense that objects are changing in shapes and/or colours. It can feel like the world seems almost dreamlike.

Do you find it hard to recall days, months, or years of your life? Does it feel like sometimes you find yourself in places and are unsure how you got there? It can be feeling like different people at times; being told by others you are like different people; feeling like you suddenly lost skill in something you are skilled at; feeling like a child or teen at times; saying, feeling, thinking things that do not feel like yours.

It can be terrifying to have some of these experiences and not entirely understanding why this experience is happening. It can make us questions ourselves and our sense of reality. It makes day to day functioning both difficult and scary. It can become difficult to stay present and you may find yourself feeling foggy or spacey at times. Day to day does not need to continue to look like this! I offer a compassionate space to explore these experiences and help you to remain present. Together, we can work to build more self-awareness into why you are having these experiences; build self-compassion; confidence in yourself; and combat the fear of looking within. We can work to better understand and manage difficult emotions, body sensations, and inner conflict that may make things feel like a constant tug of war. We can work to lower the internal conflicts and allow you to explore and build a sense of who you are. I provide a nurturing and nonjudgmental space that allows for your story to be heard. We can help to work towards building a life that is fulfilling and meaningful. Let’s start collaborating! Fill out the form below to schedule a consultation today!

What to expect:

Consultation

You complete a consultation call. During this call we explore where you heard about us, what is bringing you in, discuss fees, check-in on appointment preferences. We discuss our approach and what that will look like. You ask any questions you have about therapy and the process.
Assessment

You will be sent several forms to complete including forms on demographics, informed consent, financial agreement, email and text agreements. You will get several forms to complete complete at your own pace. If you have any difficulties completing any of these forms, they can also be completed in session. These forms explore attachment, daily functioning and experiences, dissociation. These will be explored and discussed in the first few sessions.
First Session

We go over some items on the consent forms. Background information is gathered surrounding relationships, lifestyle, experiences, and childhood as well as exploring what brought you in and your goals. The forms provided are also explored and reviewed further to understand your personal experiences as best as possible. The process will be explained to you along with education surrounding trauma, dissociation, and attachment.
History

I spend a session or two exploring your history and completing a timeline with you to better understand both the positive events as well as upsetting, disturbing, or overwhelming memories. This can also be done independently if preferred. I will also explore triggers, symptoms, and other aspects impacting your day to day. A treatment plan will be created based on this information and discussed with you to ensure this correctly fits and addresses everything required.
Treatment

After the treatment plan has been explored, treatment would commence with what was discussed and agreed upon.

Clients are met where they are and sessions are paced at the client’s preference. Resources are provided to help assist between sessions and to help with day to day functioning. Resources can involve using therapies such as DBT, ACT, CBT, and parts work to help build skill sets and resources.

Clients work towards being ready and comfortable with processing past memories connected to the root of their symptoms.
Exploration and Adaptation

As processing completes, focus shifts on navigating changes and building a new life and navigating new relationships. Installing a positive belief in self and positive future, new skills built and developed reflecting new self concept, and processing potential anxiety surrounding the future.
Focus is on adapting to these new changes and new sense of self.
Taper Down / Termination

As you begin to notice the changes and functioning better in day to day. Once completed processing and starting to focus on navigation and exploration, we can begin to discuss tapering down with therapy and potential termination when feeling you are ready to graduate from therapy.