Dissociative Amnesia

Treatments

Tri-phasic Trauma Therapy 

Summary of Treatment: Tri-phasic Trauma Therapy is an approach to recovery from trauma that is outlined in three stages: stabilization, trauma memory processing, and reconnection. The stabilization stage consists of helping the client regain external and internal control with the practice of self-soothing and care skills to increase both behavioral and emotional stabilization. The trauma memory processing stage helps the patient bring unbearable memories to the surface by processing bits and pieces of traumatic events. The reconnection phase involves clients redefining themselves by making meaningful relationships and engaging in life activities. Research conducted by Pollock et al. (2017), on a 58-year-old patient who suffered with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) with a history of alcohol use and major depressive disorder, implemented tri-phasic trauma therapy in treatment. Researchers found that symptoms of DID, depression, and alcohol abuse improved as well as the client’s marriage and social relationships. At the end of the study, the client no longer met the criteria for DID.   

• Reference: Pollock, B. E., Macfie, J., & Elledge, L. C. (2017). Evidence for phase-based psychotherapy as a treatment for dissociative identity disorder comorbid with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 18(4), 595–609. https://doi-org.tamuct.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/15299732.2016.1241853 (Links to an external site.). 

• Submitted by: Brinetta Rose