418 | Defragmentation: Therapeutic Integration and Healing for Disorganized Attachment and Dissociative Identity Disorder

Sometimes a mood isn’t just a mood. In working with clients, it is essential to explore the root cause of the mood and how often moods can be fragmented elements of traumatic experiences, which can lead to fragmented personalities. These personalities can be triggered by sight or sound, taking the individual back to a different time in their life. In this workshop, licensed mental health professionals discuss how the more trauma an individual experienced, especially in childhood, the greater the fragmentation and how children with abusive caregivers are more likely to develop a disorganized attachment style, which is often linked to dissociative disorders. Participants will identify the manifestations of disorganized attachment style in clients and strategies for stabilization. Participants will also explore the structural dissociation theory and how each part of the personality contributes to survival. Additionally, participants recognize methods to strengthen secure attachment, promoting integration of trauma-related memories and increasing the client’s window of tolerance for healthier emotional regulation.