Dissociation

I think this is the perfect time of year to remember that blood and family are not necessarily synonymous. I know that too often in this world the concept of family is used as a bludgeon and to make allowances for bad behavior. So, I…

Holidays can be difficult for those who grew up in toxic homes. So here are my holiday reminders. It’s okay and healthy to love family from afar if need be.  It’s okay to prioritize your emotional and physical well-being. Think through what you want to…

My heart is heavy. There is so much pain going on in the world it is hard to hold. It is hard to know so much of the war, pain and suffering that is happening around the world. It often makes me feel helpless. This…

I find that lack of information about how the mind and body function in response to threats can lead to traumatized individuals with a sense of guilt or shame for how they behaved or didn’t at the time of the event(s). So, in the coming…

Attachment styles are characterized by different ways of interacting and behaving in relationships. During early childhood, these attachment styles are centered on how children and parents interact. In healthy parent-child relationships, a secure attachment develops when a child’s caregiver functions as a safe base for…

This quote comes from the excellent book Perspectives of Dissociative Identity Response: Ethical, Historical and Cultural Issues, edited by Emily Christensen, PhD. This book looks at Dissociative Identity Disorder as it intersects with other identities and issues, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, LQBTQIA+, diet culture,…