As a psychologist with personal experience living with dissociative identity disorder (DID), I have witnessed the shortcomings of traditional therapy training from both sides of the therapist’s chair. It has become increasingly clear to me that many training programs lack a crucial element – humanity. Instead of focusing on connection and compassion, therapists are often taught to fear, misinterpret, or suppress the very parts of their clients that are in need of understanding and support.
One common issue is that therapists are often trained to approach DID with fear rather than fluency. This fear can lead to sessions being prematurely ended when younger parts of the client’s system emerge, or to an overemphasis on caution rather than genuine connection.
Another problem is the rigid adherence to linear treatment plans, such as the phased model of trauma treatment. While these models may provide structure, they often fail to account for the complex and nonlinear nature of healing in DID systems. Therapy should be flexible enough to accommodate the diverse needs and experiences of each individual.
Additionally, therapists sometimes pathologize and exclude younger parts of a client’s system, rather than welcoming them with care and compassion. This can lead to further trauma and a sense of rejection for those parts that are most vulnerable and in need of support.
Furthermore, clinical theory is sometimes prioritized over the lived humanity of the client, leading to a dehumanizing approach that fails to consider the individual behind the diagnosis. Training should focus on understanding and empathizing with the client’s experiences, rather than categorizing them as problems to be solved.
One concerning trend in DID education is the emphasis on detecting “fake” cases of DID. This suspicion can create a sense of danger and mistrust in clients, hindering the therapeutic process before it even begins.
Even loved ones can feel the negative effects of poor training, as witnessed in a webinar on dissociation that left both the author and their partner feeling uncomfortable and devalued. Training programs must prioritize the relationship between therapist and client, shifting from fear to understanding, and from rigid protocols to responsive presence.
In order to truly help individuals with DID heal, therapists must unlearn their fears and relearn how to establish genuine connections with their clients. By listening to those with lived experience and prioritizing relational safety, therapists can create a more supportive and effective therapeutic environment for individuals with complex trauma.