Healing My Parts: Real Talk on Dissociative Identity Disorder and Complex Trauma

📝 Episode OverviewWhat does it really mean to live as a system in a world obsessed with being “just one person”? This week, we’re joined by psychologist, researcher, and unapologetic plural Sandi James. Together, we dive deep into the lived realities of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and plural life—unpacking treatment trauma, internal disconnect, and the everyday magic (and chaos) of showing up in a world that often doesn’t see you.Sandy shares unfiltered truths about:* Surviving—and thriving—after treatment that missed the mark* The funny and frustrating sides of dissociation (like dog-sitting for strangers!)* The real reasons systems “drop off the planet”—and why connection still matters* Practical tips for co-fronting, calendar hacks, and making therapy work for your system* How therapists and allies can better show up for pluralsWhether you’re a system, a clinician, or someone who loves and supports either—this conversation promises validation, laughter, and hope.🕰️ Episode Timestamps* 00:00 – Welcome! Meet Sandi James and today’s big questions* 01:00 – Sandi’s story: treatment-resistant research, and why labels matter* 03:15 – Deconstructing myths: “Manipulative,” “attention-seeking,” and “resistant”—what’s really going on?* 06:00 – The clinical blind spot: “I don’t remember” ≠ lying* 07:00 – Loneliness, masking, and the ache for connection in plural life* 10:30 – Getting out the door: swings, surfboards, and sensory hacks* 13:30 – Bright shoes and reclaiming the gaze: system pride in public* 16:00 – Negotiating who fronts in social settings—and building internal trust* 21:00 – System imposter syndrome: Who’s the “real” me, anyway?* 28:00 – Holding space for others, even with internal doubt* 33:30 – Calendar color-coding, alarms, and planning for plural life* 42:00 – Partners who don’t know you’re plural: navigating silence and safety* 51:00 – Friendships, “ghosting,” and parts with different social needs* 57:00 – Hope for systems who feel like “too much”* 1:04:00 – Harmony isn’t perfection: it’s persistence* 1:12:00 – “I don’t want to go back—I want to discover who I am now.”* 1:16:00 – Closing: Healing doesn’t require perfection or performance💡 Who Should Listen?* Plurals and systems seeking real talk and solidarity* Therapists, case managers, and support teams wanting deeper understanding* Friends & loved ones who want to show up better for the systems in their lives🌈 Why You’ll Love This EpisodePrepare for laughter, honesty, and a gentle reminder: you’re not too much, and you’re definitely not alone. Tune in for validation, practical tips, and hope—no matter where you are on the journey.Listen now, and re-discover what it means to be plural and becoming.💫 Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

Episode OverviewWhat happens when therapy isn’t accessible—or when it just doesn’t fit? Jade Miller joins us to talk about the power of peer support for people with dissociative identities, why healing doesn't have to follow a clinical script, and how redefining recovery can lead to real transformation.This is a conversation about choice, internal trust, and the radical act of loving all your parts.💡 Key Topics🔹 Peer Coaching vs. TherapyWhat peer support is—and what it isn’t.🔹 Redefining HealingWhy integration isn’t the only (or best) outcome.🔹 Lived ExperienceHow peer work fills gaps traditional therapy can’t.🔹 Provider PitfallsWhat not to assume when working with systems.🔹 Daily Life as HealingMicro-moments, not checklists, keep systems steady.🔹 Internal ConnectionRespect among parts is foundational for healing.🔹 Jade’s DreamListen in to find out!🧰 Tools & Resources* System Synergy Workbook – 150+ pages of printable tools for systems, from check-ins to coloring pages.* Dear Little Ones – A gentle, beloved book for littles and systems everywhere.* Medical Provider Letter Template – Free download to support safe, trauma-informed care.🌐 Connect with Jade* Website: PeerSupportForMultiples.com* Instagram: @peersupportformultiples* Facebook: Peer Support for Multiples* Support Safe Harbor Peer Respite 💬 Why Listen?If you’re a system, provider, or someone who loves a system—this episode is a gentle but powerful reminder:There’s no one right way to heal. Only your way.And you’re not alone.🎧 Hit play and share with someone who needs to hear this. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

What Moved in the RoomIn this episode of Healing My Parts, we sit down with Fawnn Bryant—a plural system living with OSDD—who shares their transformative journey with EMDR therapy.Fawnn’s story begins with the search for safety: leaving an unsafe marriage, creating a home where all parts could finally exhale, and finding a therapist who truly saw them. That safety opened the door to a flood of memories, the sudden emergence of Littles and the raw reality of disorganized attachment.Together, we explore the chaos of early system discovery, the rupture-and-repair cycle in therapy, and how EMDR became a lifeline—tailored to honor each part. Over three years, Fawnn’s world shifted from constant crisis to cautious hope. As they put it, the progress is “only half-magical,” but even that marks a profound move from drowning to beginning to breathe again.This conversation is both tender and practical, offering validation for systems and insight for clinicians: healing is slow, nonlinear, and messy—but movement and connection are always possible.Moments That Moved Us* System Discovery & Safety (00:01:00–00:04:00)Leaving an unsafe relationship, creating a safe home, and the moment a gatekeeper stepped back—ushering in younger parts and sudden system awareness.* Attachment Wounds & Therapy Ruptures (00:04:30–00:07:00)The turmoil of disorganized attachment and the uphill work of rebuilding relational safety.* The Role of EMDR (00:08:20–00:13:00)Why EMDR was a game-changer for a blendy, often non-verbal system—and how one therapist adapted sessions to meet every voice.* Three Years In: Half-Magical Progress (00:18:00–00:22:00)From 30 simultaneous crises to one topic at a time—journaling, trust-building, and authentic connection.* Statistics & Soapbox (00:27:00–00:31:00)Eye-opening numbers: 12% of the population is dissociative, 48% live with insecure attachment—underscoring the need for trauma-informed training.* Consent & Modality Fit (00:44:00–00:47:00)Why systems must advocate for themselves, why CBT often falls short, and why true healing requires consent and pacing.* Emerging Into Connection (00:39:00–00:42:00)From derealization as an infant survival strategy to building real friendships in adulthood for the first time.Did This Move You,Too?If you’re part of a system considering EMDR — or a clinician wanting to better support dissociative clients — this episode brings both reality checks and grounded hope. Healing rarely unfolds in straight lines, but Fawnn’s story shows how safety, connection, and relational repair can crack open a truer sense of your system — and create space for more of your selves to be seen and supported.What moved you(s)?Resources:Healing Together Conference Annual gathering centering lived experience and professional support for dissociative systems.Dissociative Writers A growing network of writers with lived experience navigating OSDD/DID and complex trauma.Hearts Multiplied – A community for systems, offering support, connection, and collective healing.Peer Support for Multiples -Jade Miller – Peer coach and system advocate known for her accessible resources on system navigation and inner safety.Crisses – Longstanding voices in the dissociative community offering tools, classes, and foundational education for systems and supporters.Healing My Parts on Instagram – @healingmyparts — soft, sometimes sassy system-affirming content, tools, and connection.Healing My Parts on Substack – Weekly blogs, downloadables, insights and tools by a therapist with living with DID.Healing My Parts Website – Consultations for both professionals & systems, workshops, support groups, merch, and more. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

Join us for a rich, unfiltered conversation with Katie Keech, LMFT—queer, neurodivergent, and plural therapist—on what system-affirming care really means. From the politics of difference to the power of parts, this one goes deep.In this episode of Healing My Parts, we sit down with therapist Katie Keech, LMFT (they/them), a queer, neurodivergent, and plural clinician whose presence is nothing short of magnetic. Together, we unpack what system-affirming care actually looks like—from bodyminds to backlash, trauma to truth—and why embracing difference is a deeply political and healing act.Whether you're a system, supporter, or a clinician walking with us, this conversation is an invitation to rethink what safety, dignity, and authenticity can look like in the therapy room and beyond.⏱️ Timestamps* 00:00 – Welcome & Guest Intro* Meet Katie: plural, queer, neurodivergent therapist + advocate* 02:00 – Beyond the Binary: Neurocomplexity and Bodymind* Katie shares how intersections of neurodivergence shape identity* 05:00 – System-Affirming vs Singlet-Performing* Why masking and blending aren’t signs of healing* 07:00 – The Politics of Difference* From eugenics to neurocosmopolitanism: why sameness is a control tactic* 10:30 – Scared of Consciousness?* The real reason people resist DID visibility* 12:30 – Are Parts Inherently Good?* Nuance around “evil,” groomed systems, and complexity* 14:00 – Misunderstood Parts & Therapist Misattunement* Why teen parts and risky behaviors are often mislabeled* 17:00 – Projection in the Therapy Room* Countertransference, burnout, and why “resistance” is a therapist’s issue* 20:00 – When DID Isn’t Believed (or Treated)* Katie + Monika share personal and client stories of invalidation* 23:00 – Fusion vs Choice* Performing healing to appease therapists vs honoring internal truth* 26:00 – What Burnout Really Looks Like* Autistic & system burnout as nervous system overwhelm—not depression* 31:00 – Plural Friendship & “Too Much”* What people get wrong about being friends with systems* 36:00 – Disclosure, Safety & Groomed Systems* Navigating who to tell, how to protect young parts, and relational risks* 41:00 – Endogenous vs Traumagenic* Why the binary may be a false split—and why it matters less than you think* 46:00 – Cultural Models of Plurality* A look at colonialist roots of the DSM and erasure of plural worldviews* 50:00 – The Neurodivergence Web* Autism, DID, ADHD, daydreaming, and the brilliance of the brain* 56:00 – Shame, Fixing, and System Flattening* ABA, conversion therapy, and the violence of “normalizing”* 1:01:00 – Creating Plural-Friendly Worlds* Why we need spaces where we can drop the mask, and just be* 1:04:00 – Final Reflections from Katie* A tree that splits from lightning isn’t broken—it’s adapting. So are we.Connect with Katie!Website: katiekeech.comInstagram: @katiekmft TikTok: Neuroqueer Therapist X: @keechmft Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we sit down with the incredible System of Gardens and Flowers—a French polyfragmented system of over 900 parts and a RAMCOA survivor—to explore what it really means to live, work, and heal while navigating complex dissociation and programming.Together, we explore:* How they discovered they were a system and began mapping 900+ parts (00:02:03)* The difference between “parts” and “fragments”—and how they manage internal communication (00:04:10)* What it’s like to be out at work as legal counsel while managing internal dynamics (00:16:00)* How programming shows up in everyday life (and what helps dismantle it) (00:23:00)* The real-life emotional toll of navigating therapy, memory loss, grief, and trauma (00:24:00)* Why love, compassion, and community are lifelines in recovery (00:40:00)This is a deeply human, unflinchingly honest, and profoundly hopeful conversation. Whether you're a provider, a survivor, or a fellow system, we hope you'll feel seen here.Content Warnings: This episode includes references to trauma, RAMCOA, programming, and grief. Please listen with care and take what you need.Resources Mentioned:* Hearts Multiplied Forum* Couple of Multiples Podcast* Follow System of Gardens and Flowers on Instagram: @systemofgardensandflowers * Follow Healing My Parts on Instagram@healingmyparts * Visit our website for more resourceshealingmyparts.org Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when eating disorders and dissociative disorders meet?In this deeply human conversation with Annie Goldsmith, RD, LDN, we explore how food, body, and trauma are wired together—and what healing can look like when care is somatic, polyvagal‑informed, and truly system‑aware.✨ Whether you’re a system, a clinician, or someone navigating mealtimes in a nervous system that’s been through a lot—this episode is for you.💬 We talk about:▫️ Why eating disorder care so often misses dissociation (07:00)▫️ How parts experience food differently (yes—some don’t have a body) (22:00)▫️ What it means to build safety before behavior change (57:00)▫️ Intuitive eating in systems—does it work? (44:26)▫️ Health at Every Size in the context of systems (48:50)▫️ Why healing isn’t one size fits all (1:02:45)🎧 Listen now: 💌 Let us know your thoughts—drop a comment or DM. We’d love to hear what resonates.🖤 No parts left behind. Always.👉 Annie’s Practice: Second Breakfast Nutrition#DID #OSDD #EatingDisorderRecovery #PolyvagalTheory #SomaticHealing #TraumaInformedCare #HAES #IntuitiveEating #HealingMyParts Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

If you’ve ever felt like the system wasn’t built for you… you’re not wrong.In this episode, we’re joined by Anne and Lexi from Beauty After Bruises, a nonprofit that’s reshaping how survivors of complex trauma and dissociative identity disorder (DID) are supported when the traditional paths don’t—or won’t—show up.We talk about what real care looks like when you’ve been through layers of harm. Whether you're a system trying to navigate healing, someone who loves a system and wants to understand, or a provider trying to get it right, this conversation offers practical insights, grounded validation, and real-world examples of what’s possible when advocacy is trauma-informed and action-oriented.🎧 In This Episode:* (00:49) The origin story: how Beauty After Bruises started with heartbreak and turned into healing* (03:00) Lexi shares her experience as a system—and how it shaped their mission* (12:30) Therapy boxes: what they are, who they help, and why they matter* (20:20) “Trauma-informed” isn’t the gold standard—it’s the baseline* (27:40) Why some therapists feel overwhelmed—and what systems need instead* (33:15) When there’s nowhere to refer: facing the care gap* (42:10) Designing support with survivors, not just for them* (50:05) The myth of perfection: why it’s okay to show up imperfectly* (56:30) Clinician burnout and the emotional toll of this work* (1:02:00) What collaborative, client-centered care actually looks like* (1:07:00) A reminder: healing happens when we’re not doing it alone👥 About Our Guests – Beauty After BruisesFounded by Anne and Lexi, Beauty After Bruises is a nonprofit offering practical support, crisis intervention, and community care for people living with DID and complex PTSD. With a mix of professional insight and lived experience, they meet survivors where they are—whether that’s on a waitlist, in the middle of a breakdown, or just trying to survive another day.🌐 beautyafterbruises.org📸 @beautyafterbruises💌 Support their work, apply for aid, or explore their survivor + provider resources.📚 Resources Mentioned:* Therapy Box Program* Survivor Blog + Education Hub* ISSTD (International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation)✨ Loved this episode?Subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who wants to support a system better, or is part of one.For more system-affirming tools, grounded education, and lived experience stories, join our newsletter on Substack. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

We are so excited to welcome back the Gianu System for one of our most insightful (and joy-filled!) conversations yet. In this episode, we talk about what healing looks like across time, modalities, and parts — and what it meant for the Gianu System to experience a fusion. Together, we explore the winding, non-linear nature of trauma recovery — and how systems like ours navigate therapeutic work that meets all of us where we are.We explore the complexities of being a system in trauma therapy: trying different modalities, navigating misattunements, and learning to getting alters communicating. We talk candidly about what it’s like when therapy doesn’t work — and what happened when they finally found something that did.You’ll hear about the modalities they explored, including:* 🧠 CBT (and why it didn’t land)* 💬 IFS (what helped and what felt misaligned)* ⚡ EMDR (how it helped — and what was hard)* 🌀 Deep Brain Reorienting — the approach that finally changed everythingWe dive into:* Why screening tools like the DES and MID should be given more than once (because who’s fronting matters!)* How missing a DID diagnosis can derail trauma work* The power of self-compassion, communication, and humor in the healing process* What fusion really is (and what it’s not)Whether you're a therapist, a supporter, or part of a system yourself, this episode offers nuance, hope, clarity, connection, and so many "oh wow" moments.🔁 With all the lightbulb moments and deep valiation, this is one you’ll want to come back to again and again.Resources Mentioned:* Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) * DES II* MID Assessment * Gianu System on Instagram * Gianu System on TikTok* Gianu System Navigating DID & Relationships (with their Hubs!)Let’s Stay Connected:Follow us on IG at @healingmypartsSubscribe to our newsletter/blog at healingmyparts.substack.com Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

Other Specified Dissociative Disorder 1a & 1b are very similar to DID. Prompted by an OSDD1b system reaching out to share that they initially did not think that they would find a podcast dedicated to DID to be helpful to them. They shared that they were surprised to find that not only was it helpful, but they found many similarities in what they experience reflected here. It made us all wonder how many other people living with OSDD might feel the same…and how many folks with OSDD might be seeking reflections of their experiences and haven’t fully found it in the DID literature and shared stories in online spaces and haven’t yet found it. In this episode we are joined by an OSDD1a and an OSDD1b system, who both generously share parts of their journey of system discovery and healing. ResourcesAn Infinite MindThe Rings System YouTube ChannelGeneral OSDD infoCarolyn Spring on OSDD & DIDBeauty After Bruises on Dissociative DisordersPower to The Plurals on OSDDPodcast Legal Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between the listener and the host. Always seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or medical condition. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please contact a licensed mental health provider or emergency services in your area. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

This episode brings a light hearted view to the challenges and adventures of daily system life. From discovering their system to the evolving ways of “what works for them,” this conversation will inspire, validate and intrigue you. The Curious System offers a wealth of resources for DID and OSDD systems and their providers to explore. Resources referenced in this podcast episode:The CrissesPluralKitOtter aiDID We WriteDID We Write Tildy's Little Book for LittlesThe Rabbit Listened bookThe Rabbit Listened read aloudCTAD ClinicCTAD Clinic YouTube ChannelLayering of Emotion CTAD Clinic VideoGrowing Up Again BookAlix Amar LCSWAmy Wagner LMFT, LMHCPetals of a Rose DocumentaryHealing Together ConferenceAn Infinite MindAn Infinite Mind Speaker SeriesYes Please by Amy PoehlerDissociation Made Simple by Dr. Jamie MarichInstitute for Creative MindfulnessPodcast Legal Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between the listener and the host. Always seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or medical condition. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please contact a licensed mental health provider or emergency services in your area. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

This episode is filled with so much heart and wisdom. Amanda Ball discovered they were a system later in life and that discovery turned everything upside down. Amanda shares her story of how she discovered she was a system We dive into an authentic conversation that covers topics from loss, deep grief, and real stigma to aphantasia, preventing switching, relationships and much more. We recognize that not everyone can access therapy and even those who can are often on long waitlists. We discussed many accessible resources for healing that can be found free online. You can find Amanda on Instagram. See below for their full bio!Resources:The Dissociative Disorders AllianceAn Infinite MindBeauty After BruisesTheresa https://www.dis-sos.com/about-us/Carolyn SpringThe CTAD Clinic WebsiteDr Mike LloydCTAD Clinic YouTube ChannelAdrienne & Co (Formerly Known as Dr. Adrian Fletcher)Dr Arielle SchwartzBIO: Amanda Ball (She/He/They) lives with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and collectively she and other selves are known as the ETERNITY System. Amanda had a long career and held senior posts in the Food, Drink and Agricultural industry, mainly in Strategy, Planning, Training, Marketing and Communication roles and continue to champion British Food. Whilst no longer able to pursue a career, they continue to use their skills through mentoring and volunteering work and are a future trustee of a soon to be registered charity, ‘The Dissociative Disorders Alliance’.  Their professional values are ‘Focus, Clarity, Direction’.They strive to make the complexities of living with DID accessible to others, by sharing everyday experiences through advocacy work. Notable highlights to date include planning and executing the launch of ‘The Girls Within’ a book written by debut author and retired therapist Gill Frost. The book launch provided a springboard for a live Webinar, ‘Dissociative Identity Disorder, The Hidden Condition’ and a follow up Webcast ‘Demystifying Dissociative Identity Disorder’. The recordings, hosted on Karnac Books YouTube channel, have had over 16K views to date.They also undertake public speaking and media work and have appeared as guests on BBC Radio 2 Jeremy Vine Show as well as other BBC regional stations, sharing their lived experience of DID.With their symptoms and subsequent diagnosis being relatively recently (2016), life and their identity until then was focused almost entirely on work. As a result, they are still finding their way when it comes to rest and play, however their determination and curiosity gained through work and life experience, are proving helpful characteristics in their journey through therapy.Running has become an essential part of everyday life in the Cotswolds, not just through the exercise itself but by providing social connections being a member of a local club.  They have also started to keep a growing collection of house plants alive!Podcast Legal Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between the listener and the host. Always seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or medical condition. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please contact a licensed mental health provider or emergency services in your area. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 15 welcomes Melissa Parker, LMHC, (they/them), a plural therapist who has expertise in working with clients who have PTSD, DID, OSDD and who live with other trauma related effects. We took a deep dive into the challenges systems face when seeking care and finding resources. Sharing anecdotes from personal and professional experiences, we connect around the need for more compassion, love, openminded perspectives and a willingness to truly individualize care. Part of willingness to treat the individual involves professionals removing hard and fast barriers such as “a diagnosis of DID is an automatic exclusion to psychedelic assisted treatment.” As you will hear, psychedelics do have a place in treatment and can be profoundly helpful for some. Given the propensity for great harm, caution also needs to be exercised. Melissa takes us through how to explore the possibility while offering concrete suggestions for safety. Many systems will feel both validated and inspired by this conversation, while professionals may glean a deeper understanding around the impact of language, mindset and perspectives when delivering care to systems. Professional Bio: Melissa enjoys working with older adolescents and adults who live with the effects of complex trauma. Melissa’s work and perspectives are rooted in anti-oppression practice, and the lenses of trauma-informed developmental, humanist, and transpersonal psychology. They take an integrative approach to therapy and utilize whole-person modalities such as EMDR, humanistic talk therapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), and sensory/somatic-based interventions. Melissa also offers psychedelic integration therapy.Melissa welcomes the opportunity to connect with individuals from all walks of life and seeks to work from a place of cultural humility and respect. They hold a special interest in providing support and therapy to mental health professionals who have lived experience with mental health concerns, trauma, and dissociation. They also have an interest and experience in supporting individuals who seek to integrate profound spiritual experiences into daily life.In addition to their clinical work, Melissa draws on their experience as a trauma survivor and clinical professional living with PTSD and DID, to provide anti-ableism-based training, supervision, and consultation to therapists who are interested in deepening their work with clients who live with dissociationRESOURCESMelissa Parker LMHC MAPSDance Safe Fentanyl Test StripsMelissa Parker on Braving The Way PodcastPodcast Legal Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between the listener and the host. Always seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or medical condition. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please contact a licensed mental health provider or emergency services in your area. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

Raw, poignant and real. In discussing all things system accountability, Adrienne & Co lets us into their lives and what it’s been like navigating betrayals, fusions, and integration while simultaneously beginning a new life with their soulmate who is also a system. Adrienne & Co describes how they showing up for all parts of the system with love and compassion. They share where they’ve been and why they’ve taken a step back from advocacy. This episode is full of important takeaways. Whether you’re a system or a provider who treats systems, this rich conversation is filled with examples of the work it takes for a system of parts to truly work together. Whether life is at a high or low point or anywhere in between, Adrienne & Co shows us all how to show up with a formidable combination of strength, vulnerability and compassion that ultimately moves healing forward. We hope you are as moved and inspired as we are by this conversation.Where to find Adrienne & CoAdrienne & Co on Instagram Adrienne & Co's WebsiteMentorship Group Psychology Today BlogThanks for listening to Healing My Parts Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.Podcast Legal Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between the listener and the host. Always seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or medical condition. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please contact a licensed mental health provider or emergency services in your area. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

Many of you are already fans of today’s guest, Dr. Mike Lloyd, who is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist specializing in complex trauma and dissociative disorders and Director of the CTAD Clinic and Cheshire Psychology in the UK. He is also the creator of the popular CTAD Clinic YouTube Channel where you’ll find his engaging videos break down complex concepts related to living with and treating DID & OSDD into easy to understand language and captivating visuals. Dr. Mike is a member of the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation (ESTD), having previously been on the ESTD Board and also a UK contact person. Dr. Mike also teaches on the ESTD four day foundation course ("Assessment and Treatment of Dissociative Disorders") and Liverpool University's Clinical Doctorate course. He is a lifetime member of First Person Plural, the UK's most prominent expert-by-experience organization for Dissociative Identity Disorder. He has presented in the UK, Europe and Canada. He is renovating a house in Malpas in preparation for a new clinic and rescues cats with the RSPCA (wait until you hear how many!) This episode is chock full of wisdom, passion, and compassion. Dr. Mike gives us a taste of his respectful therapeutic style underscoring the importance of the treatment environment and therapeutic alliance in collaboratively charting a course to healing. A delightful surprise for those who living with dissociative identities (DI), Dr Mike gives us a sneak peak into the mind of someone who is not multiple. Meanwhile providers and supporters gain a better understanding of what it’s like inside the mind of someone living with DI. From strategies to resources, to understanding key concepts to hope and inspiration for those diagnosed later in life, there is truly something here for everyone. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!Resources mentioned in the show:CTAD Clinic VideosYouTube: A Visual Understanding of How Alters/Parts are FormedYouTube: Denial & Recognition Later in LifeYouTube: Action Systems and Their InfluenceYouTube: Introduction to Structural DissociationYouTube: Why is my Internal Communication Not WorkingYouTube: Managing Employment, Alters & DIDYouTube: Integration in DID & OSDD -hint-it’s not necessarily final fusionYouTube: Integration & Fusion Part 2- understanding the differencesMarcella Netflix SeriesCTAD Clinic Trainings and Resources:CTAD ClinicCTAD Clinic TrainingsCTAD Clinic Resources to ExploreMore Resources:First Person PluralCarolyn SpringBlue Knot FoundationEuropean Society for Trauma and Dissociation International Society for the Study of Trauma and DissociationPodcast Legal Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between the listener and the host. Always seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or medical condition. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please contact a licensed mental health provider or emergency services in your area. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

Jaime lives in Central Florida where she works as a district Pre-K special education resource teacher. She also works part-time as an in-home early interventionist for special needs children aged birth to three.In 2005, she was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) resulting from childhood trauma. Jaime searched for support only to find there were very limited resources available. Her efforts to find support for herself led her to seek out other survivors living with the disorder.As she found others living with DID, she witnessed firsthand the challenges they shared and decided to shift her focus to help others, like herself, living with DID. In July of 2007, she started one of the only peer-led DID support groups in the country, which led to the creation of An Infinite Mind in January of 2008.Her passion comes from the hope that people with DID can find the support and resources they need and will no longer fear the stigma surrounding the disorder.In this episode Jaime shares her journey of founding An Infinite Mind and all it has to offer. Jaime opens up about her own personal journey with Dissociative Identities, from diagnosis through treatment to the collaborative system she enjoys today. A truly strength’s based view, this episode will inspire and motivate you, whether you have Dissociative Identities yourself or you are a provider who treats people with DI. It’s filled with practical ideas, tips, relatable experiences, passion and compassion.AIM Resource Links:An Infinite MindAIM's Healing Together ConferenceAIM's Speaker SeriesResources for Consultation for TherapistsInstitute for Creative Mindfulness ResourcesICM EMDR Consultation Be sure to check out the many trainings they offer in EMDR and Dissociation.Consultation with Katie Keech LMFTConsultation with Adrienne & Co (Formerly Dr. Adrian FletcherConsultation with Dr. Mike Lloyd CTAD Clinic UKThe Refractory Think Tank for Plural Providers, Researchers, CoachesResources for SystemsTrailblazing The Way Community Mentorship ProgramSystem Speaks CommunityA Couple of MultiplesMultiplied By OneBeauty After BruisesThe Plural AssociationPower To The PluralsDr Jamie MarichKatie Keech LMFTBlue Knot FoundationThe CrissesKinhostPodcast Legal Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between the listener and the host. Always seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or medical condition. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please contact a licensed mental health provider or emergency services in your area. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

Listen in as Jamie+ talks candidly about the topics of disclosure, functional multiplicity, how parts work together, the nuances of lived experience, sexuality, and the judgement that exists within the mental health field. They also share insights about their brand new, soon to be released memoir, You Lied To Me About God. ResourcesYou Lied To Me About God: A MemoirDissociation Made SimpleRedefine TherapyInstitute for Creative MindfulnessNavigating Self-Disclosure CourseDr Jamie on InstagramDr Jamie on TikTokKay Redfield Jamison's BooksPodcast Legal Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between the listener and the host. Always seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or medical condition. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please contact a licensed mental health provider or emergency services in your area. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

Melz opens up, giving us an authentic view of their life as a system. Melz takes us through how they first discovered they were a system at the age of 13, on through the ups and downs of therapy, to learning to navigate co-occurring mental health issues and ultimately settling into thriving in functional multiplicity and so much more. Melz shares their story along with insights, tips, and resources. Their tenacity, resilience, compassion and humor will inspire and motivate you whether you are a system yourself, a supporter or a provider. Find and follow Melz at @many_melzResources:A Couple of MultiplesSystem Speaks CommunityThe Gianu SystemIndigo & Dissociationneuroqueer_therapist Katie KeechHealing Together ConferenceThe Plural AssociationDr Jamie MarichThe Institute for Creative MindfulnessBrushstrokes ImaginationCrissesKinhostMultiplicity & MeCTAD ClinicThe Blue Knot FoundationBeauty after BruisesPodcast Legal Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between the listener and the host. Always seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or medical condition. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please contact a licensed mental health provider or emergency services in your area. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

While this episode may seem to be geared only to providers, the content can also be helpful in building awareness and providing validation to those living as systems or for those who think they may be systems.The first portion of the episode is dedicated to formal assessment instruments. Because, depending on which part(s) is forward, formal instruments can still miss the presence of dissociative identities, the second portion of this episode delves into practical tips and strategies for clinicians to use to assess for DID & OSDD1 throughout therapy sessions. Links to Formal Instruments:Dissociative Experiences Scale II (DES II)Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation (MID)Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Dissociative Disorders (SCID-D)Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule (DDIS)YouTube Episode referenced in episodeDiscussion by Multiplicity & Me's Expert Checklist be sure to check their show notes for links to scholarly articlesOur Response to McLean Debacle for those who would like to delve into the dangers of reckless accusations of false DID. This occurred when a McLean psychologist perpetrated harm by inappropriately used creator content from Instagram and TikTok and accused them of not having DID, when in fact they were all professionally diagnosed. This article contains links to scholarly articles as well as up to date considerations for how we view multiplicity. ResourcesOrganizations:An Infinite Mind ISSTD Books:* Dissociation Made Simple Dr Jamie Marich* Finding Solid Ground Dr Bethany Brand* Coping with Trauma Related Dissociation Kathy Steele et al Take what works, leave what doesn’t. Know there are legitimate concerns regarding the Structural Dissociation model. Documentary* Petals of a RoseInstagram* @petalsofarose_themovie* @drafletcher* @healingmyparts* @indigo.and.dissociation* @mindful_therapy_practice* @beautyafterbruises* @thepluralassociation* @gianusystem* @katiekmftTikTok·        @neuroqueer_therapist Katie Keech, LMFT·        @traumatherapistrants Dr. Jamie MarichPodcasts & Blogs (by therapists w/ &w/o lived experience)·        Braving the Way with Dr. Fletch (LE)·        A Couple of Multiples (podcast & website, LE)·        Healing My Parts (podcast & Substack, LE) ·        How We Can Heal with Lisa Danylchuk (wo)·        Therapy Chat Podcast with Laura Reagan (wo)YouTube Channels:·        CTAD Clinic  ·        Multiplicity & Me ·        The Rings SystemPodcast Legal Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between the listener and the host. Always seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or medical condition. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please contact a licensed mental health provider or emergency services in your area. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 8 welcomes the Gianu System & their Hubs, the SplenDID Supporter to the podcast. The Gianu System & their Hubs gave an absolutely stellar talk at the Healing Together this past February, chock full of information you can’t find anywhere else. From finding out they were a system to their Hubs building relationships with their different alters to navigating intimacy, we cover it all here. Whether you are questioning, newly diagnosed, have been diagnosed for ages, are a supporter or friend of a system or a treatment provider, this episode has something for you. There is so much information in this episode that we surely wish we had had access to. We are honored to have been able to host this conversation and bring you information to assist you in navigating the terrain of your own unique journey.We had so much fun talking with the Gianu System & their Hubs and cannot wait to have them back for an engaging conversation on modalities and healing! So be sure to stay tuned for that!Links They’re an author so be sure to Check out their incredible books here! Follow them on Instagram: Gianu System SplenDID SupporterFollow them on TikTok Gianu SystemPodcast Legal Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between the listener and the host. Always seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or medical condition. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please contact a licensed mental health provider or emergency services in your area. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 7 Those who navigate the intersection of DID and eating disorders face unique challenges in finding care for themselves. It is challenging enough to find care for one or the other, never mind when they coexist! Given that over 90% of people with eating disorders have a trauma history and up to 40% of people with DID suffer from eating disorders, we are also not talking about a small number of people.In today’s episode, we chat with Angela Kaloudis, a compassionate, talented therapist who specializes in treating folx with DID/OSDD and eating disorders. She takes us through how she came to this specialty area, what she wishes she knew earlier, the challenges she regularly runs into and what she wishes other therapists knew, including red flags for dissociation that often get missed. Whether you are someone living with the condition or a therapist working with this population, you’ll find valuable nuggets in all that Angela graciously shares with us. About AngelaAngela Kaloudis (she/her) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with particular expertise in treating eating disorders, trauma & complex dissociation, as well as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD).In addition to her outpatient practice, Angela is a supervisor and clinical leader at a nationally recognized eating disorder facility.  She adheres to the principles of Health At Every Size®, meaning she will support people in ALL bodies in engaging in health-promoting behaviors and living a value-oriented life. To Angela, being a genuine and authentic human and therapist is her top priority. Angela is known for her non-judgmental, caring, and compassionately firm nature, weaving in humor throughout. She makes space for all that her clients bring into the room and approaches situations with curiosity and care while challenging her clients to lean into difficult emotions. She deeply believes that therapeutic relationship is the strongest vehicle of change.When she is not working, Angela loves to spend time with her family, read, connect with her community, and be with her dog, Apollo, who is always ready for a good game of fetch.ResourcesAngela Kaloudis, LMHCThe Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association, IncMEDA's Free Recovery Community Message BoardsThe National Alliance for Eating Disorders National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline 1-866-662-1235 (M-F 9a-7p)ANAD & ANAD Helpline 1-888-375-7767Project HealAn Infinite MindTrailblazing the Way-Dr. Adrian FletcherInstitute for Creative MindfulnessDr Jamie MarichKatie Keech, LMFTPodcast Legal Disclaimer The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between the listener and the host. Always seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or medical condition. If you are in crisis or in need of immediate support, please contact a licensed mental health provider or emergency services in your area. Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe