Dissociation: A Survival Mechanism After Trauma
Have you ever felt like you were watching your life from the outside? Like your body was in the room, but “you” weren’t? Maybe you’ve zoned out during conversations, forgotten large blocks of time, or felt emotionally numb when you “should” have felt something. This isn’t weakness or brokenness — it’s dissociation, and it’s one of the most common survival responses to trauma. With the help of a compassionate trauma therapist, especially through online therapy or modalities like EMDR, you can begin to understand and gently reconnect with the parts of yourself that dissociate to stay safe.
What Is Dissociation?
Dissociation is the brain’s way of protecting you from overwhelming pain, fear, or helplessness. It creates distance — between you and your body, you and your emotions, you and your memories. It’s not something you choose. It’s something your nervous system does automatically when the threat feels too much to handle.
Types of Dissociation May Include:
Depersonalization: Feeling detached from your body or identity
Derealization: The world feels surreal, foggy, or dreamlike
Amnesia: Forgetting events or whole periods of time
Emotional numbing: Difficulty feeling joy, sadness, or connection
Identity fragmentation: In severe cases, parts of the self may feel separate (as in dissociative identity disorder)
Why It’s Especially Common in Trauma Survivors
Dissociation often develops early in life — especially in environments where escape isn’t possible. This might include childhood abuse, emotional neglect, or growing up in a household where emotions weren’t safe to express. For BIPOC individuals, chronic racial stress and intergenerational trauma can also lead to forms of dissociation — including hypervigilance or emotional shutdown as a means of navigating unsafe systems.
Why It’s Not “Crazy” — It’s Protective
Too often, dissociation is misunderstood or stigmatized. But it’s a normal nervous system response to abnormal circumstances. A skilled trauma therapist will never shame you for dissociating — they’ll work with you to understand how it developed, how it shows up now, and how to support your system in staying present without feeling overwhelmed.
How EMDR Helps with Dissociation
EMDR is particularly effective for trauma-related dissociation. With slow pacing, resource-building, and bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps the brain safely revisit and reprocess painful memories — without retraumatizing. Over time, it reduces the need for dissociation by helping the brain integrate previously overwhelming experiences.
How Online Therapy Supports Dissociative Healing
For many clients, online therapy offers more control — you’re in your own space, with your grounding tools close by. This is especially helpful for those prone to dissociation, as the comfort of home can reduce hypervigilance and support emotional safety.
Why Cultural Context Matters
A BIPOC therapist brings an essential layer of understanding to this work — recognizing how cultural messaging (e.g., “stay strong,” “don’t show weakness”) and systemic oppression can contribute to dissociative patterns. Culturally sensitive care helps clients feel validated and seen — not pathologized or misunderstood.
Conclusion
Dissociation isn’t a flaw — it’s proof of how deeply your system tried to protect you. And now, with the right support, you can begin to reconnect, gently and safely, with the parts of yourself that once had to go numb. Whether you’re exploring this through EMDR, working with a BIPOC trauma therapist, or starting online therapy, healing is not about forcing presence — it’s about creating the conditions where presence feels safe again.
If you're ready to embark on a journey of healing and personal transformation, I encourage you to reach out. I am passionate about trauma-informed care in all spaces as well as creating safety so you can process your experiences at your own pace. Please contact me to schedule a consultation and learn more about how online trauma therapy can help you achieve your goals.
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