Dissoiative Identity Disorder

Treating Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) with Trauma‑Informed Care and Hypnosis

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a complex and often misunderstood psychological condition, where an individual experiences two or more distinct identity states (sometimes called “alters” or “parts”) that may take control of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. These distinct parts often hold unique memories, emotions, or coping strategies, particularly in response to trauma. DID can affect anyone, regardless of whether they have received a formal diagnosis. At Bloom Hypnotherapy & Counselling, we work with all levels of dissociation, supporting clients to develop safety, understanding, and healing, whether or not integration of parts is a goal.

At Bloom Hypnotherapy & Counselling, I bring extensive experience supporting clients with Dissociative Identity Disorder and complex dissociation. My approach is grounded in safety, attunement, and trauma-informed care, ensuring that every part of you feels respected, welcomed, and protected in the therapeutic space.

What is Dissociative Identity Disorder?

DID is characterised by:

• Identity fragmentation: Experiencing multiple self-states or alters, each with distinct ways of thinking, feeling, or interacting with the world.

• Memory gaps: Episodes where the individual cannot recall personal information or experiences, which are not explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

• Disruptions in consciousness or sense of self: Feeling as if the “self” is split or that different parts of the personality have their own awareness.

These experiences can lead to distress in daily life, relationships, and work or study. Individuals with DID often also experience comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use, or complex trauma-related symptoms. While DID is sometimes sensationalised in the media, research confirms its validity. Structured interviews, neurobiological studies, and cognitive assessments provide measurable evidence supporting DID as a legitimate clinical condition.

Internal links: Trauma, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression

What Causes Dissociative Identity Disorder?

The most widely accepted explanation for DID emphasises early, severe, or chronic trauma — especially childhood abuse, neglect, or overwhelming stress. During early development, when a child cannot safely process intense emotional or physical trauma, the mind may compartmentalise these experiences. This coping mechanism can result in the formation of separate identity states, each managing memories, emotions, or survival strategies differently.

While trauma remains the primary risk factor, DID is multifactorial:

• Individual vulnerability: Some people may have higher susceptibility to dissociation or heightened suggestibility.

• Neurobiological factors: Differences in brain function and stress-response systems may influence how dissociation manifests.

• Sociocultural context: Beliefs, expectations, or cultural frameworks can shape how dissociation is experienced or expressed.

Some individuals develop DID without a formal trauma history or may have subclinical dissociative experiences. Our approach recognises that functional impairment and subjective distress, not just diagnostic labels, guide therapeutic work.

How We Treat Dissociative Identity Disorder at Bloom Hypnotherapy & Counselling

At Bloom, we offer a holistic, trauma-informed, and client-led approach, combining counselling and hypnotherapy. Treatment is individualised, focusing on safety, understanding, and healing trauma. Integration of parts is only pursued if desired by the client; many individuals with DID live happily and safely with co-existing alters without full integration.

1. Stabilisation and Safety

Before exploring trauma or identity work, establishing emotional safety and stability is critical. Our initial work often includes:

• Grounding techniques and coping strategies for managing dissociation.

• Building internal and external resources for emotional regulation.

• Establishing trust and consistency in the therapeutic relationship.

These foundational steps reduce the risk of re-traumatisation and prepare clients for deeper therapeutic work.

2. Trauma-Informed Counselling

Our counselling approach draws from evidence-based therapies adapted for dissociation and always revolves around trauma-informed practices:

• Psychodynamic principles: Exploring the origins of dissociation, attachment history, and the formation of identity states.

• Cognitive-behavioural strategies: Addressing triggers, conditioned responses, and maladaptive thought patterns associated with trauma.

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills: Teaching emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

• Mentalisation and schema work: Enhancing understanding of self and others, reducing internal conflict between parts.

This combination allows clients to process trauma safely, improve daily functioning, and develop better internal communication.

3. Hypnotherapy and Ego-State / Parts Work

Hypnotherapy can be a valuable adjunct for DID:

• Facilitates communication between parts, helping them cooperate rather than conflict.

• Provides guided imagery and hypnotic resources for grounding and emotional regulation.

• Supports consensual integration or improved co-consciousness if desired by the client.

Because hypnotherapy for DID is complex, it is always applied with caution, consent, and trauma-informed expertise. Our experience ensures that hypnotherapy enhances safety and healing rather than inadvertently reinforcing fragmentation.

4. Multidisciplinary Collaboration

While DID treatment is primarily psychotherapy-focused, we recognise that some clients benefit from a multidisciplinary team. We always welcome a collaborative approach from any health professional who you want actively involved in your care. Some examples of this may be

• Psychiatrists for medication management.

• Medical professionals for physical health concerns impacted by trauma.

• Other therapists or support services for complementary care.

Ethical Considerations and Client-Centred Care

Working with DID requires:

• Respecting the autonomy and agency of all identity states.

• Maintaining informed consent for any therapeutic intervention, especially hypnotherapy or trauma processing.

• Emphasising stability and pacing rather than forcing integration.

• Recognising the diversity of experiences: some clients seek full integration, others seek harmony among parts without merging identities.

Our approach is designed to empower clients, reduce stigma, and provide practical tools for living safely and effectively, while validating the lived experience of each part.

Why Choose Bloom for DID Support?

• Inclusive care: We welcome clients at all levels of dissociation, diagnosed or not.

• Integrated expertise: Combining hypnotherapy with trauma-informed counselling creates unique opportunities for healing, grounding, and internal dialogue.

• Flexible treatment goals: Integration is optional; your pace and preferences guide the work.

• Multidisciplinary-friendly: We support collaboration with psychiatrists, medical professionals, and other therapists.

• Local and online access: Adults and teens across Australia can access our specialised care.

Take the Next Step

If you or someone you care about is experiencing dissociation, identity fragmentation, or trauma-related distress, Bloom Hypnotherapy & Counselling offers a safe, expert, and compassionate environment for support. Book a consultation today and start building safety, understanding, and healing from trauma.