Relationships Role in the Treatment of DID

Just the other day I was reminded of people’s strange conception about the therapeutic relationship. Books that discuss psychotherapy and counselling often emphasise that the therapeutic relationship is the most important tool in recovery. And indeed, hundreds of research studies confirm that. I listened to a counsellor who talked about ‘using’ the therapeutic relationship in this and the other way. It sounded like the therapeutic relationship was a shovel in the corner of the counsellors room, which ever now and so often was picked up and ‘used’ to hit the client therapeutically.

Oh dear, oh dear. I think the therapeutic relationship is the most important aspect of the recovery from Dissociative Identity Disorder. But how does it work? What kind of relationship do therapist and client need to develop together for healing to occur, and how exactly does healing then occur?

2. Step Towards Happiness

Are you ready for some more happy stuff? How is it going with your Gratitude Journal? Keep up the good work.The second step towards happiness has to do with 'being in the moment' or better with focusing on and enjoying what you do in life. That involves noticing the beauty of things and using all your senses for taking in your experiences. This can be many different things for different people.

DID Treatment: Practical Steps Towards Happiness

Here are the promised 'Happiness Exercises'. Why do I call them that? Because research has shown that when you do these exercises regularly, you will feel better. Not only that, your sense of improved well-being and happiness lasts for many months after having done the exercises. Although the research has not been done with people who have multiple personalities, or more correctly dissociative identity disorder, I reckon it can't hurt to do them anyhow. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

DID Treatment: Stop Depression by Pursuing Happiness

It has been common since the 60s that people  visit a counsellor or therapist to talk about the problems and difficulties that trouble their lives. Beliefs like "…It has to get harder before it gets better"  reflect commonly accepted wisdom and experiences people had for a very, very long time. These beliefs are now challenged by discoveries made by researchers who focus on what is known as 'positive psychology'. Without discounting the usefulness of traditional therapy that explores the problems people have and assists in finding new understandings or new behaviours, they suggest that a more effective approach would be to ALSO focus on people's strength and virtues.

Shame, Guilt, and Forgiveness in the Recovery from DID

My attention has recently been drawn to issues of shame and guilt that might come up for some DID clients towards the end of their recovery  -  or more accurately, towards the end of their therapy (as recovery seems to be a life-long process). It's not shame about being abused or struggling with accepting oneself as the target of abusive, humiliating actions by perpetrator(s).