Dissociation and Grounding

Written by Laura Valentino, MSW, LISW-S (she/her) If you’ve spent any time looking into trauma therapy, you’ve likely heard of EMDR. I want to talk about what EMDR is in the same way I usually explain it to my clients... straightforward, relatable, and grounded in how the brain actually works. What does EMDR stand for? EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It’s an evidence-based therapy most commonly known for treating trauma, but it’s also used for a

Written by Dylan Crum, MSW, LSW (he/him) What is Dissociation? Dissociation is a common symptom of post-traumatic stress that results in a feeling of detachment between our thoughts, feelings, memories, surroundings, behavior, and identity. While some level of detachment can be healthy, dissociation typically impacts our quality of life and ability to function. Dissociation can range from a temporary lapse in awareness (think of “zoning out”) to a full break in identity or ab