How did I start working with Dissociative Disorders?
Upon entering grad school, I was determined to be a Family Systems therapist. My internships were focused around family therapy and I learned a lot about working with systems. However, I found myself with client after client struggling with sexual abuse issues. Trauma issues were repeatedly plopped in front of me, and I got the point. I turned my efforts towards working with sexual abuse survivors.
In the 1980’s, I was handpicked to do a clinical pilot study for a government agency in Saskatchewan Canada with a severely abused young woman newly diagnosed with Multiple Personality Disorder (now called Dissociative Identity Disorder). I found this area of work highly challenging and fascinating. I’ve remained in the field of trauma and dissociation ever since, working with complex internal systems as well as external family systems.
At the invitation of Dr. Colin Ross, I moved to the Dallas Texas area in 1992 to work at an inpatient treatment unit for Dissociative Disorders. For several years, I led 10 inpatient groups per week, an outpatient support group and spouse support groups. I also continued to build my private practice through the years.
In 2001, I added online work as an option for my practice. I developed http://www.AbuseConsultants.com as an online treatment resource for trauma survivors. In 2005, I began http://www.SurvivorForum.com , an online group support forum for trauma survivors. Through these websites, I have had clients from around the world, and have certainly learned a lot during this time.
I am currently expanding my practice to include a greater focus on sexual abuse prevention and support for non-offending parents.
For more information, please go to:
Kathy Broady said,
December 7, 2008 at 12:16 am
Testing, testing again…
behindthecouch said,
December 10, 2008 at 10:33 am
Hi, please keep going with this blog – it’s amazing and a resource I’ve been looking for for some time!
Best
BTC
Emily's Camigwen said,
December 10, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Hi Kathy
Welcome to the blogosphere… We are always looking for good info for DID. BTC (behindthecouch) put a shout out on her blog, so expect to get some traffic from all DIDer’s from over our way.
(Hey, am I the first DIDer here?!?)
Keep it up!
Emily’s Camigwen
Kathy Broady said,
December 10, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Thank you, BehindtheCouch! I appreciate your very kind words. And yes, this is a very new blog… (it’s barely a week old, lol). I’m definitely new to blogging, but not to sitting with trauma survivors. I am really enjoying the process so far, and I have a whole lot more to say….. Keep checking back!
Thanks for stopping by.
Kathy Broady said,
December 10, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Hi Emily,
Wow!
Thanks for the good news! I must go give BTC a proper thank you too.
I appreciate your warm welcome… and I do have a lot of plans for this blog. I’m just getting started…
And… I don’t know if you are the first DIDer to be here or not, but you are the first to make that known in a comment, so… you win the prize!
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you are having a good day.
Kathy
wynne270 said,
December 14, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Many thanks for the blog; this is already a fantastic resource.
Wynne
Kathy Broady said,
December 14, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Thank you, Wynne.
I appreciate your kind comments, and I hope you keep coming back to read more…. I’m glad you are finding these posts helpful.
Warmly,
Kathy
behindthecouch said,
January 4, 2009 at 7:19 am
Hi Kathy,
Not sure where to put this but perhaps it’s one for the question list. In my search for a T (and I’m looking for that rarity – a DID/trauma experienced therapist) I have encountered several who don’t actually believe in DID. FYI these are mostly psychoanalytic therapists. What is your opinion – do you think a DID client can be helped by a non-DID believing therapist even if the “fit” is good, or is it a recipe for disaster – ie, is one better off with no therapist rather than one that does not think the condition exists?
Clearly you must believe in it to have become involved in this area in the first place so I’d appreciate your unique insights.
Thanks and keep up the great work!
BTC
gobbies said,
January 5, 2009 at 11:09 am
BTC,
Obviously Kathy is more qualified than me to answer, but I thought I’d throw in my 2 cents. I do not think that a non-believing T ever works. Might be ok for the host, but not for everyone inside. Think about it, would you want to tell your deepest darkest most painful secrets to a person who thinks that you are either lying or simply don’t exist? I wouldn’t.
Alex for Gobbies
Kathy Broady said,
January 7, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Hi BTC,
Oh, yes, I definitely and absolutely believe in DID / MPD / multiplicity / dissociation, etc. There is no doubt about it. None. Not even a millisecond’s doubt. For that matter, I think it is ridiculous for a mental health professional to say, at this point in time, that they don’t believe in DID. Why don’t they simply say they have no experience in DID and it is not their area of specialty?? And seriously, why don’t they catch up with all the information and education available to them? (Excuse my ranting here…!)
Dissociative Disorders have been legitimate diagnoses for years and years, and they are listed in all the official diagnostic manuals. They’ve been recognized by hundreds of mental health professionals, and documented by medical specialists. And for that matter, medical research has shown various “proof” of the differences that exist between alters and the way the body responds as the person switches from person to person. For any mental health professional to say “I don’t believe in the existence of DID” is about as absurd to me as if I were to say, “I don’t believe in the existence of schizophrenia.”
I have spent too many years with hundreds of different trauma survivors with DID to ever say otherwise. I remember the days tho’, when I was surrounded by co-workers who were skeptical of DID. I think, they just hadn’t had enough exposure to the whole realm of the trauma world to understand. A lot of denial about the acceptance of DID is directly related to people not believing such tragedies and traumas exist as well. I guess it takes a willingness to have an open mind about a lot of things. IMHO, schools do not go a good job of teaching about dissociative disorders. That really should improve — someone needs to re-write those text books!!!
OR… my other thought has been…. dare I say…. I have wondered how many of these skeptics are purposefully working to hide the element of dissociation and the reality of trauma??? Just whose side are they on anyway??
Anyway…. I’m still ranting. OK — back to your question, lol…
I think that skilled, compassionate, listening therapists can help on all kinds of levels, regardless of their personal perspective on DID. However, a very skilled therapist that blatantly refuses to accept the reality of DID will not be nearly as helpful as someone who at least is open to the idea. The point being — your entire system will have to stay either “in hiding” (an OLD feeling, I’m sure), and they will feel unaccepted (another old feeling), they will feel unbelieved (another old feeling), they will feel unheard (another old feeling), they will feel ignored (another old feeling)….
Do you see what I mean?
The basic dynamics of therapy can be addressed for awhile, but if those therapists refuse to believe in the reality of DID, their ability to help without causing damage in the end, is highly limited.
If this kind of person is your only option for a therapist, accept it right up front that this is what the therapist believes. Do not assume they will ever change their position on that, or that you’ll be able to make them think differently. They are who they are, and don’t try to change that.
If you can keep the perspective that you are working with them on general life issues, then that can be more ok. But don’t expect to get treatment for your dissociative disorder. AND, don’t set yourself up to believe that. Accept them for who they are, and nothing more. Gather the benefit you can from the relationship, and look for other places for support with your DID/MPD.
Kathy
behindthecouch said,
January 8, 2009 at 9:02 am
Thanks Kathy for that astoundingly helpful response. I am currently torn between several options. One discussion with a very experienced and intelligent psychoanalytic therapist satisfied my rational Management aspect but the phrase “you don’t need a trauma therapist – all clients are traumatised that’s why they are in therapy” set off plenty of alarm bells and sent various internal parts scurrying for the hills to the point that I knew they would never work with her.
Seeing as DID specialists are few and far between in my geographical location, I will settle for someone who has some knowledge, is willing to improve on that, and who is willing to acknowledge the existence of and help me build communication within my internal system.
I was thinking in a very “black and white” fashion (funny that!) that either it had to be a specialist or a non-believer, but I have found that it might be possible to have, if not a specialist, then at least a willing and capable helper who will journey with me wherever it leads.
It seems to me that it’s a dangerous world for the inexperienced client – I can’t imagine the damage that would have been done if my recent fragmentation and exposure of alters had happened whilst working with someone who simply didn’t believe.
I’m so glad you are dedicating yourself to this work and this blog. I think there is a real knowledge gap on both sides of the dyad but that clients and therapists can each take responsibility and each work to bridge that gap.
healingone said,
January 9, 2009 at 9:04 am
Hi Kathy. I am healing so I am healingone here. thank you for doing this blog. Thank you so much. Thank you for telling me ’bout it. Blessings,,, me
Kathy Broady said,
January 9, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Hi HealingOne,
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you find some helpful things on here. Come as often as you can!
I recognize you.
Kathy
healingone said,
January 11, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Thank you Kathy, lots. Hey Kathy. I see some people that I want to say nice things to. Is that okay? I no know really what a blog is/how it ‘sposed to work or how you want yours to work and I writed a really long something last night that disappeared into space somewhere coz I messed up. So I might try ‘gain or it might just be that it was God’s way of saying whoosh and talk to Kathy. . .Anyways . . I still wanting to say somethings to some people who say things. You know? But I no want to do nothing wrong. Blessings, me
Kathy Broady said,
January 12, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Hi HealingOne
Yes, if you want to make a short reply to some of the other folks here posting at the blog, that is ok. Several people have made comments to each other. I think that is a nice idea – everyone likes to be acknowledged and heard, right?!.
The main thing to remember about posting things here, is that it is important to remember that anyone in the world can see what you write because it is a public site. I have some ideas for creating a more private posting place… but for right now, things are here for the world to see.
I’m glad you are enjoying the blog — there are lots of things to learn here. And the comments from others are GREAT! This blog wouldn’t be anywhere near as interesting without the comments from everyone else. For sure!!!
Have a great day –
Kathy
behindthecouch said,
January 22, 2009 at 5:58 am
Hey Kathy,
Just wanted to let you know that following my previous comment on this bit, I have found a DID specialist to work with- phew! Thanks for all your help and this wonderful blog which actually fills me with hope for the work ahead. I have written a post on BTC which tracks the complicated process of finding said specialist which I think you might find interesting in regards to your own practice… obviously I can’t post the password on here but if you want to email me the address is on my blog.
Thanks again!
Best
BTC
Kathy Broady said,
January 24, 2009 at 12:50 am
BTC — that’s great news!!
And I’m glad this blog gives you hope for the work ahead. That’s very good.
You can do it – I know you can.
Kathy
behindthecouch said,
February 13, 2009 at 11:15 am
Hey – random suggestion.. not sure where to put it!
How do we recognise others as part of us? It’s something I can’t seem to accept.. from any angle (or any alter!) I’m early stages but it would be good to have your input (as always!)
BTC.x
Kathy Broady said,
February 15, 2009 at 3:20 pm
BTC,
Thanks for writing. I was thinking of writing a post about “accepting DID” but before I do, I have a question for you. How do you define a lack of acceptance of your inside parts to be different from denial? I’m am guessing these issues are not quite the same for you — or not at all — but can you please provide a clearer definition of the differences as you experience them?
Thanks!
Kathy
behindthecouch said,
February 19, 2009 at 8:03 am
Hi Kathy,
In answer to your question – I have a Management who thinks the whole DID thing is ridiculous yet recognises there is enough of a problem to get my @ss to therapy a couple times a week.. I’d say that’s denial.
For me (core, I guess) It feels like other parts take over or escape and are not connected to “me” – they are too different and as I am in early stages of therapy and have minimal (ie, no) internal communication my head feels kind of like a house full of squatters that I’d quite like to be rid of. – that’s lack of acceptance.
Does this make any sense?
Cheers
BTC
Kathy Broady said,
February 21, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Yep, BTC, that makes sense.
And that topic is important for several people, so….
I’m working on a blog post about this as we speak —
More soon!
Kathy
healingone said,
February 21, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Hi to all . . I got a notice that there had been additions to this post, so heck, I will say something. I am healingone coz I am healing and I know I am healing. I have had years and years of therapy that did do something for me before the discovery of parts or subparts. It built ego strength and it helped me to survive the cruel world and get to goals like grad school that mattered to me, and that, plus meds, helped the “splitting,” which I thought was borderline in nature, to happen less and less and less often. But there were always those times of falling apart into terrible rages and then tears, even if it did take two months to happen instead of far less than that . . so all that therapy did help, AND, it helped to cover over and over and over the reality of the dissociative processes. In all that time with three well educated and truly caring and helpful therapists; a total of approximately 8/9 years, no one ever once asked me about dissociative or trauma symptoms. Did I argue in my head with myself? Was it easy to make decisions? did I space out? Did I fantasy and get lost in it? did I have severe highway hypnosis? How bad was my exaggerated startle? How extreme were the “absorption” processes into books or TV . . I could go on and on; the point being three well trained and caring therapists who did help me on some levels, never ever looked at how severe the degree of trauma and dissociation was. And it was very very severe indeed, but very much hidden and “preconscious.” And then, when I ran smack into a book on dissociation written by Schwartz(sp) on Internal Family Systems therapy, did I get spooked big time. Because I recognized myself in those pages, and because reading the book created such a swarm of internal chaos that I ran smack into a happy little manic part that played indoor basketball with my t hen about five year old son. I felt happy; I felt free, I was bouncy and excited and young and went into my therapist that way and got shot straight down by her sense of disapproval and firm admonishment. Switch . . right there in her office . . I can still feel it . . switch . . triggered by her fear/disapproval and right back to “normal” cognitive me. I stopped reading that book; it was too scary. But I did bring it, oh, maybe seven years later, after a few months, to my fourth therapist, explaining it was too scary . . he knew, our very first session, and laughed quite lovingly at my statement about feeling 90% healed, but that every once in a great while that horrible splitting would happen, that I was far far from 90% healed, and so he quite funnily and caringly nearly fell out of his chair carrying that 10% over his shoulder that I was dragging around with me all the time. I had told him on the phone to make the appointment I thought it was the trauma . .that I couldn’t remember things . . that I still split sometimes . . . so he knew; he just knew. He knew trauma and splitting back and forth and inside out. He might not have taken a strong dissociative internal family systems view of things, and it took a while to find the parts, but they were and are being found, . . . because he KNEW . . . So i will just say it is important t hat your therapist KNOWS . . your pain, and what may be hiding. He sure did, and he got me grieving and so then there came the parts . . and now we are being educated together about all of this . . because he cares and is open to my experience of things. If you know you are dissociative and your therapist will listen and care and learn, then you have found a gem. And a gem will continue to care and learn with you. So if you are here, on this blog, just find out if you have a gem. A gem continues to care and help and affirm and unguilt and unwrap all the confusion. If you have found this blog, you have found Kathy, and she is truly a gem. Blessings to all; healingone
Kathy Broady said,
February 23, 2009 at 2:45 am
Thanks, healingone, for your kind words, and for the encouragement you are offering to others.
You are right, many good and genuinely caring therapists just do not know enough about dissociative disorders to ask the right questions, or to understand the context of dissociative issues. It seems to be the norm that it takes years of time for people to find a good dissociative specialist.
Finding a therapist that really knows and understands dissociation is important for the healing process.
Thanks for posting –
Kathy
healingone said,
February 23, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Thanks Kathy, much. I wish they weren’t so rare. So awfully, awfully rare. Blessings, Robbie
Mona said,
August 3, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Kathy, I have a strange question. But first, to those of you searching for a DID therapist, I have a great trauma therapist that works out of River Oaks Hospital, New Orleans, and the whole unit works with DID patients. Also, Many Voices magazine lists lots of resources. (manyvoicespress.org).
My question is, is it possible to experience dissociative states without having full blown DID? I experience definitely distinct ego states with different ages and emotions and even talents. But I don’t believe they are truly different “inners”. They don’t have different names, I feel that idea makes no sense to my experience. Yet I do have very few childhood memories, have a difficult time getting in touch with anger, and often feel like a child in a grown-up body. And I do have problems with losing track of events, not really losing time, just forgetting. Am I in denial or just in a very mild pre-DID sort of diagnosis?
Kathy Broady said,
August 9, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Hi Mona,
That’s a great resource — I certainly encourage people to check it out.
Yes, River Oaks is a great hospital. I’ve referred clients of mine to that facility on a number of occasions. And… funny you mentioned Many Voices magazine — I have an article being printed in the August 2009 edition of Many Voices.
And dissociation is a continuum – with some people being highly dissociative, and all people being at least a little dissociative (forgetful). DDNOS — the dissociative disorder that is “not otherwise specified” is for those people that are noticeably dissociative in their life, but not quite dissociative enough to be DID. In that context, yes, it is possible to experience dissociative states without having full-blown DID.
As far as how that applies to you — I’d really have to know a whole lot more about your particular experience to be able to answer that accurately. What I can say is…. inside parts don’t have to come with names. Many, many insiders don’t have names, and never really will, nor do they have to. It sounds to me like you’ve got the basics in place to have full-blown DID, but of course, I’d still need to spend more direct time with you to be able to answer that question accurately.
I think some people experience dissociation in small groups of people, and then another group of people for this, and another group of people for that…. When the parts are less defined, and more like fragments, it is harder to distinguish one from another. It is harder to name names, and the loss of time doesn’t happen so much AT the time…. it’s the recall that is gone. So people may feel like they don’t lose time, but they can’t remember much of anything after the fact. That’s a different kind of amnesia, but it does count at a DID type of amnesia.
What I know for sure is that DID does not present exactly the same way for everyone that is DID. There are a number of different ways that systems can be foundationally organized, and there are a variety of ways that systems present themselves. Some people have a much more “fluid” DID than others… more rapid switching, less distinct switching, etc. Some systems have more co-presence and co-conciousness than others —
Keep working at it — and remember…. the “how” dissociative you are matters less than doing your healing work … coz the healing process is the same, whether you are DID or DDNOS…
Good luck!
Kathy
Catatonic Kid said,
August 25, 2009 at 7:57 am
Brilliant site, Kathy! Some really helpful general dissociation info. here and good to know there are resources like this on DID. Fascinating, not to mention enlightening. Wish I’d come across it earlier.
Kathy Broady said,
August 29, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Thank you, Catatonic Kid!
I’m glad you are finding this blog to be helpful, and I do hope you come back often. There are lots of things to read, so take your time reading through everything, and ask questions if you’ve got any.
I appreciate your kind words – welcome, welcome.
Kathy
Sarah Jackson said,
January 24, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Do people still leave comments? I cant dee any recent ones
Kathy Broady said,
January 24, 2012 at 8:16 pm
Hi Sarah,
Welcome to Discussing Dissociation.
Yes, there are still new comments — mostly the most recent comments are made on the newer posts, but comments are welcome anytime on any of the posts, new or older.
I’m not exactly sure how to tell where the new comments are. I have a “Comments and Conversations” box on the right hand side of the front page of the blog. That will show you the most recent 15 comments made on whatever blog article they have been made on. I know there is also a way to sign up to have comments sent to you (or something like that), but maybe someone here that has actually done that can explain that to you.
Hope that helps. Thanks for reading.
Warmly,
Kathy
Do You Know What Kind of Therapy You’re In? « Pieces and Perspectives said,
February 28, 2012 at 4:31 pm
[...] I could tell any future therapist what I had worked with in the past. Then I read this article by Kathy Broady and she talks about her approach at great length with her [...]
Kathy Broady said,
March 13, 2012 at 10:50 pm
Thank you, People Puzzle Pieces, for your very kind words.
Much appreciated!
And welcome to the blogging world.
Keep on writing!
Warmly,
Kathy