In this article we emphasize the importance of an adequate diagnosis in trauma related dissociative disorders. When combined with a personality disorder, the right diagnosis becomes even more important.
For clients that suffer from early childhood trauma, the therapeutic process needs to be structured along the lines of a phased approach. In the first phase of the therapy the therapist, together with the client, must aim to stabilize and reduce the symptoms. Only then he can initiate the next phase, that is directed towards processing the trauma. But in this phase as well the therapist, again in cooperation with the client, must guard the stability. The diagnosis of a dissociative personality disorder often leads to discussion, and in therapists frequently sparks the thought that they should use a totally different approach. However, the brunt of the work with these clients demands 'regular' psychotherapeutic labor.
dissociative disorders, processing of trauma, client-centered psychotherapy, inner dialogue
The tPeP (Journal Person-centered experiential Psychotherapy) is the scientific journal for Dutch and Flemish psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, that work from, or are interested in a client-centered perspective.