Dissociative Disorders

I treat the full umbrella of dissociative disorders, from DID (dissociative identity disorder) to dissociative amnesia and depersonalization/derealization. Psychoanalysis can be fruitful in helping clients tolerate and feel more in control of their dissociative symptoms and the triggers that prompt their dissociating.

I have training and experience working with folx living with complex dissociation, structural dissociation, depersonalization and derealization.

I provide trauma-informed therapy for clients living with complex PTSD and dissociative disorders to understand and accept all parts of themselves, learn to discern and trust themselves and others, and heal from the past to embrace a more hopeful future.

The dissociative spectrum is broad and goes all the way from being "in the zone" to Dissociative Identity Disorder. Dissociation is a natural phenomenon and we all do it to a degree. For some of us, this natural protection kicks in so much that it begins to disorder our lives. By combining trauma-informed theory with IFS techniques, I am able to help clients normalize the dissociation process and gently gain more control over their experience by healing their emotional parts.

I have eight years of experience in treating dissociative disorders, attachment issues, and complex PTSD.

Dissociation is something we all experience from time to time, but we often overlook it in therapy. In my work, I help clients identify their dissociative experiences and learn to work to regain full awareness of life through mindfulness practice, working with dissociative parts, and sensorimotor work.

Dissociation is a survival response to overwhelming experiences, and healing requires a compassionate, structured approach. I specialize in working with dissociative disorders using Internal Family Systems, somatic therapy, and EMDR to gently reconnect clients with their inner world. My approach helps clients build a sense of safety, integrate fragmented parts of the self, and develop skills to stay grounded. Together, we work toward wholeness, stability, and deeper self-trust.

I have training in depth psychotherapy, EMDR, and DBT, which can all be used to help people progress in their recovery from dissociative disorders. I have experience working with people who are diagnosed with dissociative disorders.

There are always valid reasons why our nervous systems protect us with dissociative experiences. But that doesn’t make them any less disruptive and painful. Together, we could befriend and study your unique nervous system and inner world, so that we learn what you most need to feel safer. Because when your nervous system and inner world feel safer, you’ll have less intense and fewer disruptive dissociative experiences.

As a trauma and embodiment specialist, dissociative disorders are a special area of interest for me, as well as a particular area of expertise.

Shaina helps clients with dissociative disorders by creating a safe, grounded space to explore fragmented parts of the self with compassion. Using Internal Family Systems (IFS), Shaina supports clients in building internal trust and connection between parts, reducing fear and shame. Her calm, person-centered approach helps clients feel more integrated, present, and empowered as they work toward healing from trauma and reclaiming their sense of self.

Dissociation is not a dirty word. I have years of personal and professional experience working with dissociative responses and focus on normalizing the experience, building skills to minimize it when it is unhelpful, and helping folks let go of the shame that often comes with it.

Reclaim Your Wholeness—On Your Terms Trauma can create a disconnect between mind and body, often leading to dissociation. I help high-achieving women understand this protective mechanism and navigate their healing—whether through integration, stabilization, or simply feeling more present. For those with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), I provide a safe, supportive space where you decide your path, with compassionate guidance every step of the way.

Dissociative disorders are more common than many realize. Because I specialize in trauma, and dissociation is a very common and primal response to trauma, I have training in this area, with sensitivity to complex trauma, RA, and other somatic trauma responses.

I have experience working with systems, which some people call Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). My goal in working with systems is to provide consistent communication and cooperation among your parts (sometitimes called "headmates" or other terms). I do not consider "integration" or dissolving a system (into a singlet) a legitimate, respectful, therapeutic goal.

I have taken advanced trainings on the treatment of trauma and dissociation and integrate EMDR, parts work and sand tray with clients who experience dissociation. I am an active member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.

I'm a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (level 2) and I've been working with Dissociative Identity Disorder for 5 years. Before trauma work is done, we first focus on stabilizing your system and equipping you with skills and techniques to improve regulation and decrease the chaos. I'm trauma-informed and non-confrontational in my approach. See the video at my website for more information about DID.

I have training integrating Ego State Therapy and EMDR to help relieve symptoms of dissociation at the clients pace. An important factor in treating dissociation is to identify the symptoms of dissociation and develop an understanding of how past experiences may be contributing to the current distress.

Do you ever experience a disconnection from yourself and others? Do you ever feel like you have separate parts of yourself? Do you struggle to ground and calm yourself? We can look at all you're experiencing and settle on either a diagnosis or help you to connect more with the different parts of yourself that are coming up. The goal of treatment is to work through stuck feelings and increase your ability to connect more with yourself.