Dissociative Identity Disorder Therapy

Understanding Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative disorders are characterized by disruptions in normal personal identity, memory, emotion, behavior, or perception.

Types of Dissociative Disorders

Types of dissociative disorders include:

• Dissociative identity disorder (DID): DID is a dissociative disorder, which is characterized by disruption of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body representation, motor control, and behavior.
• Dissociative amnesia: This is the inability to recall important information about yourself that would be ordinarily easily remembered.
• Depersonalization/derealization disorder: Persistent feeling detached from reality or self.

If you think you might be experiencing a dissociative disorder, our therapists can help you connect with your body to feel more grounded and reduce dissociative episodes.

When you visit our Palm Beach, FL, offices or attend a virtual session from home, you can expect trauma-informed therapy in a comfortable and supportive environment.

Symptoms of DID

Symptoms of DID include:

• Disruption of identity with two or more distinct personalities
• Gaps in memory of everyday events
• Significant distress in social, occupational, and other areas of life
• People with DID often find evidence of dissociative fugues involving actions they do not remember. Often, DID is associated with traumatic abuse in childhood.

Losing time can be a frightening experience. Our therapists specializing in trauma therapy offer their understanding and skills.

With specialized training and a structured approach, we’ll work with you to heal from the past and build a brighter future.

Diagnosing

A therapist or doctor can diagnose DID. While there is no specific test for DID, your therapist can conduct an interview and assess your symptoms and medical history to diagnose DID.

To diagnose DID, you must have:

• Two or more distinct personality states
• Each personality, or alter, has its unique feelings, thoughts, memories, and behaviors
• Recurrent blackouts
• Symptoms are not better explained by substance use (substance abuse) or another mental health disorder
• DID is treated with the help of a therapist through individual and group therapy.

Therapy using the Sovereign Body Method can help you learn about your disorder and help address the underlying causes of DID.

Our practice offers comprehensive and specialized care for DID and dissociative disorders.

Dissociative Disorder Treatment

It’s natural to feel unsure about what to expect when meeting with a dissociative identity disorder specialist. In your first session, your counselor may ask you some questions about your current everyday life, as well as your history. This is to get a better idea of your symptoms, triggers, and coping mechanisms. You will also leave with practices to help you begin connecting mind and body and to feel more grounded.

In follow-up therapy sessions, you will work on the goals you set for yourself. Remember, this is your therapy; you can work on whatever you wish. There is no right or wrong way to do therapy. Counseling is about identifying what benefits you the most and working towards those goals.

You may be concerned about talking about past traumatic memories in therapy. However, it is your therapist’s job to make sure you are safe from retraumatization that can come from re-telling your story. Your therapist will prioritize your safety and well-being throughout the process. This is always phase one of therapy at Evolve. Remember, therapy is designed to help you heal and improve your well-being.

Our Approach to Dissociative Disorder Therapy

At our practice, we utilize a structured four-phase method. Your counselor will first help you find safety and stabilization, as well as provide an understanding of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Next, you will learn to process and release emotions from your body, along with negative beliefs and patterns. Finally, you will step into the life you desire, becoming the most confident and grounded version of yourself.

Experienced Therapists

All our therapists are master’s level licensed and registered counselors. They are trained in the Sovereign Body Method, which connects clients with themselves, allowing them to regulate their emotions, use them as guidance, and become the self-possessed leaders of their lives. Our therapists do not give advice; instead, they offer the powerful skill of helping you understand the advice that resides within you.

This approach is particularly beneficial for clients who experience dissociation, as it helps them understand that dissociation is a normal biological response to past events. They will learn to view their dissociation as a coping mechanism rather than a diagnosis or a problem. Once clients gain a better understanding of their bodies, they can improve their communication with themselves, listen to their bodies more attentively, and reduce the frequency of dissociative episodes.

Supportive Environment

Your safety and confidentiality are our top priorities. Our therapists strive to create a nonjudgmental environment where you can comfortably work on your personal goals. You will never feel pressured to tackle issues you’re not ready to address, nor will you feel judged in any way. Therapy is your time to focus on yourself. We have an effective method that can help, so if you believe that connecting with yourself would benefit you, reach out today to schedule a consultation and learn more.

Therapy Techniques

Within the Soverign Body Method, evidence-based therapy that can be used for DID includes:

• Psychodynamic psychotherapy
• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR)
• Internal family systems (IFS)

We use only evidence-based techniques that have been proven effective in treating dissociative disorders. This ensures that you receive safe treatment for lasting recovery. 

People engaged in individual therapy for DID typically see improvement in a couple of months. Therapy for DID can be long-term, but it is important to maintain consistency with therapy for the best results.

Recovery

It is possible to fully recover from DID and live a full life. Many people must increase self-awareness and learn to manage the symptoms of DID for the rest of their lives. Learning appropriate coping strategies and processing past trauma with a therapist may help treat DID.

Here are some things you can do to support someone who has been diagnosed with DID:

• Educate yourself on DID
• Listen to the feelings and needs of your loved one
• Ask them what they need
• Be patient

You are not alone. There are resources available to help you support your loved one living with DID. Liz Chelak, LCSW, also recommends that family members participate in family therapy with their loved ones.

Medication

While medication management is not used as the first line of treatment, a psychiatrist may prescribe medications for symptoms of DID, such as depression or PTSD symptoms. The medication works best in conjunction with therapy.

Some medications a DID client may be prescribed include:

• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Citalopram (Celexa)
• Risperidone (Risperdal)
• Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
• Quetiapine (Seroquel)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
• Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for DID. Your doctor should work with you to identify the best medication for you. 

Lifestyle Changes

Some lifestyle changes you can make to help improve your DID symptoms include:

• Establish a routine
• Create a comfortable home environment
• Maintain a healthy diet and sleep schedule
• Practice relaxation techniques
• Build a support system
• Avoid drugs and alcohol

You can talk to your therapist about making sustainable lifestyle changes that work for you. Together, you and your therapist will create a treatment plan that suits your needs and lifestyle. 

Therapy at Evolve

What sets our practice apart from others is our structured method that focuses on identifying the root causes of dissociation. Your therapist will guide you through each phase, ensuring both safety and meaningful, long-term change. Unlike unstructured venting sessions that leave you feeling depleted and without a clear path forward, our approach provides you with practical tools and techniques you can apply in your daily life.

With the Sovereign Body Method, you will gain the skills to feel more grounded, confident, secure, and empowered. You will learn how to set boundaries, communicate clearly, and express yourself safely.

Call us today at 561-363-7994 for a complimentary 15-minute consultation to learn more about using the Sovereign Body Method for dissociation. 

Additional Resources:

Dissociative Disorders Foundation (DDF)

The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD): 

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Sources:

Dissociative Identity Disorder: What You Need To Know