basics

Classification of Dissociative Parts using Action Systems

by Theresa on April 5, 2021 in basics, DID, english, theory

The attempt to describe dissociative parts of the personality most accurately led to the incorporation of the concept of action systems into the theory. Action systems are considered the most basic subsystems of our human behavior. Actions toward the survival of the species, energy management, attachment, caretaking and social interaction, exploration, play, reproduction and […]

The Art of Looking Around

by Theresa on March 26, 2021 in basics, english, Self-regulation

One of the most important tools we can learn in trauma recovery and self-regulation is how to look around. It sounds too simple to be true, but I promise, it can make a huge difference. Here is how to look around Sit down so you are facing the room or your environment. Maybe keep […]

Pendulation in Trauma Therapy

by Theresa on September 21, 2020 in basics, english

Pendulation is an essential body work tool that can be useful in many areas of trauma treatment. It describes the inner motion of our attention and awareness, moving back and forth between a resource/resourceful place and something trauma-related/ a place that is low in resources. The goal is to dissolve states that are stuck, […]

Analysis of dissociation for behavioral therapy

by Theresa on June 26, 2020 in basics, english

Behavioral therapy heavily relies on analyzing behavior to find out how to improve it. I often get asked if I can provide a worksheet for a behavior analysis for dissociation and the answer is No. Dissociation is not behavior. It is an involuntary stress response. Involuntary means that it is not conscious, by […]

FAQ: When will Flashbacks stop?

by Theresa on February 22, 2020 in basics, english

One of the most frequently asked questions we get is “When will flashbacks stop?“ So here is the answer, not intended to be exhaustive. Short-term For PTSD Trigger Flashbacks can only stop when we stop being triggered, which means that we need to remove ourselves from the trigger or the trigger from us. […]

Capacity and Avoidance

by Theresa on December 20, 2019 in basics, english

There are different opinions about avoidance and they seem to fall short when it comes to the reality of living a functional life with cPTSD. So we will take a short look at the extreme statements about avoidance and explore the body work concept of capacity to create more clarity. Avoidance Contra Some believe […]

Dealing with body flashbacks

by Theresa on October 16, 2019 in basics, english

This article is triggering. I didn’t see a way to openly talk about this subject otherwise. I am limiting the most triggering information to a paragraph that I will mark with **** at the beginning and end and that can easily be skipped without effecting the comprehension of the rest of the text. Because we […]

Orientation and Grounding

by Theresa on October 8, 2019 in basics, english, mindfulness

When we get triggered our first response should not be an effort in self-soothing. That would be unnecessarily hard to accomplish as long as we are not oriented in time, space and body. Our nervous system is still reacting to the past. First we need to realize that we are safe in this situation, then […]

Integrating ‘new’ parts (DID SystemWork)

by Theresa on June 23, 2019 in basics, DID, english

When parts have been stuck in TraumaTime for so long, arriving in the present, learning that there are others and all of life has changed, that we have aged, the body is big – all that can come as a shock. That is why we have developed a protocol for ourselves for welcoming ‘new’ parts. […]

Titration in Trauma Therapy

by Theresa on June 14, 2019 in basics, DID, english, Self-regulation, theory, therapy

Titration is a chemical term that was taken out of context to explain a technique to approach psychological problems. Say we want to neutralize HCl with NaOH. Mixing the acid with the base should, with an easy calculation, give us H2O and NaCl, harmless water and salt. The problem is that an acid and a […]

The Polyvagal Ladder

by Theresa on April 17, 2019 in basics, english, Self-regulation, theory

When I first wrote about the polyvagal theory I didn’t expect you to be interested. But there has been an ever increasing demand for more information, so here it is. We are still leaving out most of the neuroscience behind the polyvagal theory to make it easier to work with. People used to think […]

Regulating Hyperarousal 2 (Flight Response)

by Theresa on March 18, 2019 in basics, DBT Skills, english, Self-regulation

PTSD makes regulating emotions extra hard (more). That is why we will look at ways to deal with different emotions. But first there is one thing we need to take care of and that is hyperarousal (flight/fight response) People differ in their tendencies, some going into fight more regularly, others don’t feel that at all […]