Dissociation & Complex Childhood Trauma
Numbing, zoning out, or gaps in memory that began as protection.
- You lose time — gaps in memory, or a sense that you've been somewhere else.
- You zone out or go numb when things get difficult, even when you don't want to.
- Parts of your experience feel distant, unreal, or not quite yours.
- You learned early to disconnect from what was happening, and now you can't always find your way back.
- You're looking for someone who understands complex trauma and won't push too fast.
What this can look like day to day
Dissociation is a protective response. When something was too much to process in the moment, the mind found a way to be elsewhere. That strategy can keep you safe, but it can also make it hard to stay present when you want to be.
Complex childhood trauma — ongoing, early, or repeated experiences — can shape how you experience yourself, your memories, and your sense of safety. The effects are often layered and subtle, not always what people expect.
What we work on
An EMDR Intensive for dissociation and complex childhood trauma is structured around careful pacing. The work is stabilization-first: before any processing begins, we ensure you have the resources to stay present and grounded.
For complex trauma, standard protocols can sometimes feel overwhelming or cause processing to loop. Additional techniques within the EMDR framework help keep the work manageable and moving forward.
This is why a specialist matters. Working with dissociation requires training, experience, and a willingness to slow down.
What to expect afterward
The goal is not to remove dissociation as a capacity — it developed for a reason. The goal is to expand your ability to choose when to be present and when to step back.
Flexible financing and NIHB coverage options.
Financing options can make an EMDR Intensive easier to plan for. I am a registered NIHB provider, and eligible clients may be able to have intensives covered. Ask during your consultation.
Registered NIHB provider. Eligible First Nations and Inuit clients may be able to have EMDR Intensives covered through Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB). Coverage depends on eligibility and authorization. Ask during your consultation and I'll help you understand the process.