System Speak: Complex Trauma and Dissociation

Emma reflects on therapy, learning to sense triggers for memory time and for switching, and learns about the concept of integration. Our website is HERE:   System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation . You can submit an email to the podcast HERE . You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE .  Once you have registered with the network, you will receive an invitation to orient...

We share a partial interview of Bethany Brand, of which the remaining interview was lost due to technology interview and she was unable to reschedule to do another interview. We also talk with Kim about what it is like to be a partner of someone with DID. Our website is HERE:   System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation . You can submit an email to the podcast HE...

Dr. E interviews Dr. Dan Siegel of the Mindsight Institute, who defines dissociation by defining integration by defining differentiation.  He explains interpersonal neurobiology, and how that has everything to do with DID but is also bigger than that.  He then defines developmental trauma as an assault on integration.  He then explains the science of why and how this is, and what hope it gives for...

We share the processing we have done following the Mother Hunger episode and the interview with Dr. Siegel.  We share how understanding what Dissociation is actually helps us deal with both false beliefs from shame and the protective denial that comes with it.  We explain how Dissociation isn’t just avoidance of what was bad, but avoidance of the realization we couldn’t do anything about it.  This...

We speak with Kelly McDaniel, who coined the term Mother Hunger.  She explains what this means, and how it is the earliest trauma and a disenfranchised grief.  We discuss not having “permission” to talk about our mothers, much less work out mother trauma, which leaves us isolated from mothering and healing.  In this, she is able to explain how and why dissociation starts in infancy - and what it i...

We read and respond to listener emails. Our website is HERE:   System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation . You can submit an email to the podcast HERE . You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE .  Once you have registered with the network, you will receive an invitation to orientation, and then can use a non-Apple device or non-safari browser to join groups HERE . Once y...

Dr. E explains about attachment theory. Our website is HERE:   System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation . You can submit an email to the podcast HERE . You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE .  Once you have registered with the network, you will receive an invitation to orientation, and then can use a non-Apple device or non-safari browser to join groups HERE . Once y...

Emma talks about the Cycle of Anxiety, panic, avoidance, and dissociation. Our website is HERE:   System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation . You can submit an email to the podcast HERE . You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE .  Once you have registered with the network, you will receive an invitation to orientation, and then can use a non-Apple device or non-safari b...

Prior to airing this episode, we explain some issues and terminology related to the interview.  Dr. Roger Solomon shares with us about the loss of Francine Shapiro, as well as the history and work of the EMDR Institute.  He defines trauma as that which is overwhelming and impactful, as well as stored maladaptively in the brain (different aspects of the memory stored in different parts of the brain...

We read and respond to listener emails after our Africa trip. Our website is HERE:   System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation . You can submit an email to the podcast HERE . You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE .  Once you have registered with the network, you will receive an invitation to orientation, and then can use a non-Apple device or non-safari browser to joi...

We talk with Mary and Nathan about what happened in Africa. Our website is HERE:   System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation . You can submit an email to the podcast HERE . You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE .  Once you have registered with the network, you will receive an invitation to orientation, and then can use a non-Apple device or non-safari browser to join...

Dr. E interviews special guest Susan Pease Banitt, LCSW, author of “The Trauma Toolkit” (for survivors) and “Wisdom, Attachment, and Love in Trauma Therapy” (for clinicians).  They talk about attachment.  They also talk about ritual abuse. Due to the nature and content of the interview, some triggering topics are referenced, such as types of abuse including ritual abuse.  However, no detailed stor...

We talk with the Adaption System. Our website is HERE:   System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation . You can submit an email to the podcast HERE . You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE .  Once you have registered with the network, you will receive an invitation to orientation, and then can use a non-Apple device or non-safari browser to join groups HERE . Once you are...

Emma talks about therapy progress: internal communication, getting grounded, memory time, triggers, and accepting diagnosis. The website is HERE . You can join the Community HERE .  Remember that you will not be able to see much until joining groups.  Message us if we can help! You can contact the podcast HERE . Content Note: Content on this website and in the podcasts is assumed to be trauma and/...

Sasha reads and responds to listener emails. Our website is HERE:   System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation . You can submit an email to the podcast HERE . You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE .  Once you have registered with the network, you will receive an invitation to orientation, and then can use a non-Apple device or non-safari browser to join groups HERE . O...

We invite Dr. Peter Barach to speak with us again about a reader’s question regarding regression in treatment, which he explains as dissociative response to stressors.  We use the experience of tornadoes as a neutral example to explore this.  We take what we learn and apply it to the good stress of girls weekend, and the difficult weather.  We talk about good stress such a non-trauma holidays stil...

Pat Ogden, PhD, is our guest to explain sensorimotor psychotherapy.  She tells her story of learning about trauma work, and the recognition of the body as an ally in healing.  She explains how somatic resources help stabilize the nervous system.  Trigger warning for the example of thinking about how your body feels when your remember being abused (a father specifically is used in the example, but...

We talk to the Infinite System. Our website is HERE:   System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation . You can submit an email to the podcast HERE . You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE .  Once you have registered with the network, you will receive an invitation to orientation, and then can use a non-Apple device or non-safari browser to join groups HERE . Once you are s...

We talk to the Labyrinth System. Our website is HERE:   System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation . You can submit an email to the podcast HERE . You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE .  Once you have registered with the network, you will receive an invitation to orientation, and then can use a non-Apple device or non-safari browser to join groups HERE . Once you are...

Emma opens up about the ways Mother’s Day has been difficult in the past (trigger warning for references to miscarriages, deceased parents, infertility, and abuse dynamics).  These issues are only referenced, not described in detail.  She then shares that this year she is focusing instead on the things she has learned from the therapist, and she gives a list of ten. Our website is HERE:   System S...

We speak with local clinician Robert Cox. Our website is HERE:   System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation . You can submit an email to the podcast HERE . You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE .  Once you have registered with the network, you will receive an invitation to orientation, and then can use a non-Apple device or non-safari browser to join groups HERE . Once...

Emma reflects on therapy.  She talks about learning to accept the others.  She talks about the overlap of memory time and now time.  She shares an experience of sensing one of the others inside, in a safe way. Our website is HERE:   System Speak Podcast and sponsoring nonprofit website is HERE: S3C Foundation . You can submit an email to the podcast HERE . You can JOIN THE COMMUNITY HERE .  Once y...

We speak again with Dr. Peter Barach, who teaches us all about attachment.  He tells the story of being in class with Mary Ainsworth, and explains Bowlby’s theory (links in the blog).  He explains the different attachment styles, and what that looks like in adults.  He shares that disorganized attachment is quite common in DID.  He gives the example of the Robertson research film “A Two Year Old G...

Emma talks about being busy to avoid therapy.  She shares about only feeling safe with her family, and not having support outside the family.  She shares about feeling panic that they will lose her therapist.  She talks about feeling like the lights inside go out when she can't see her therapist, and when she feels this that she feels scared and alone.  She reflects on the impact of missing therap...

After trying for months to connect, Dr. E finally gets to talk with Robert Oxnam, who wrote the book “A Fractured Mind”.  He opens the interview asking her questions, which gives us all a rare glimpse into her own perspective throughout the interview.  She mentions what we have shared before, about the deaths of our parents.  He shares about his collaboration with McClean Hospital and gives some s...