Dissociation Support
Understanding Dissociation
What is dissociation?
Dissociation is your mind’s protective response to overwhelming stress or trauma. It’s not a sign that something is permanently wrong with you — it’s a sign you’ve been through something very hard.
It most often develops as a response to trauma, abuse, PTSD, or prolonged stress. The mind creates distance from painful experiences in order to survive them. While this protective mechanism is remarkable, it can also become a barrier to living fully in the present.
With the right therapeutic support, you can learn to safely process those experiences, reduce dissociative episodes, and rebuild a grounded, connected sense of self.
Recognizing the Signs
Signs you may be experiencing dissociation
Feeling “zoned out,” detached, or like you’re on autopilot
Feeling like you’re watching yourself from outside your body
The world seeming unreal, foggy, or dreamlike
Memory gaps — losing time or having no memory of certain events
Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from your feelings
Finding yourself in places with no memory of getting there
Feeling like different “parts” of yourself in different situations
Difficulty staying present during conversations or daily tasks
Physical symptoms with no clear medical cause — numbness, pain
Feeling disconnected from your identity or sense of self
If any of these feel familiar, you are not alone — and you are not “crazy.” These are recognized responses to overwhelming experiences, and they are treatable.
Types of Dissociation
Common forms we treat
Depersonalization
Feeling detached from your own body, thoughts, or feelings — as if you’re watching yourself from the outside, or feeling like your actions aren’t your own.
Derealization
A sense that the world around you is unreal, dreamlike, distant, or distorted — even though you know it is real.
Dissociative Amnesia
Memory gaps or an inability to recall important personal information, often related to a traumatic or stressful event.
Dissociative Identity
The presence of two or more distinct personality states or identities, often arising from severe or prolonged childhood trauma.
Trauma-Linked Dissociation
Dissociative episodes that arise directly as a response to trauma triggers, PTSD, or Complex PTSD — the most common form we see and treat.
What causes dissociation?
Dissociation almost always has roots in experiences that were too overwhelming for the mind to process at the time. The most common causes include:
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Trauma & PTSD — A single traumatic event (accident, assault, disaster) or complex, repeated trauma can trigger dissociative responses.
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Complex PTSD (CPTSD) — Prolonged or repeated trauma, often in relationships, creates deep-rooted dissociative patterns as a survival mechanism.
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Domestic violence — Chronic exposure to danger and unpredictability can cause the mind to detach as a protective strategy.
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Severe anxiety or panic disorders — Intense, prolonged anxiety can trigger dissociative episodes, especially in high-stress situations.
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Medical or surgical trauma — Frightening medical experiences, especially in childhood, can be a source of dissociation.
How we treat dissociation at Everyday Counts
Kendra Davis uses a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach tailored specifically to dissociation. Treatment focuses on creating safety, building grounding skills, and gently processing the underlying experiences that are driving the dissociation — at a pace that feels manageable for you.
There is no rushing, no pushing. Your pace is the right pace. The goal is to help you feel more present, more connected, and more yourself — step by step.
- EMDR
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Grounding Techniques
- CBT
- DBT
- Parts Work
- Somatic Awareness
You don’t have to navigate
this alone.
Reaching out is the most courageous step. We’re here to listen, to understand, and to walk alongside you — at whatever pace feels right for you.