Fragmentation and Dissociation in the Wake of Complex Trauma

Fragmentation and dissociation are the protective and adaptive responses to trauma – especially when escape, resistance, or external support is unavailable. Survivors of trauma, particularly those abused in early childhood, create ways to minimize pain and preserve functioning.

Understanding dissociation as a survival response and recognizing fragmentation in the therapy process is essential when working with survivors of trauma like abuse, neglect, torture, domestic violence, oppression, and combat. Dissociated experiences create immense shame for survivors and are often underreported, unrecognized, and underassessed in the therapeutic relationship.

This training explores the spectrum of dissociation, from numbing and disconnecting to severe disruptions in consciousness, body sensation, awareness, memory, identity, and perception.

This training will include an exploration of the connection between trauma fragmentation, different types of dissociative disorders, symptom presentation, as well as contemporary treatment modalities.