Structural Dissociation Theory
Integrating the parts of you that had to adapt to survive..
Structural Dissociation Theory offers a powerful framework for understanding why some trauma feels so fragmented, confusing, or like it lives in entirely separate parts of us.
If you've ever said...
“It’s like there’s a part of me that knows better… but I still react.”
“I feel like two different people.”
“I shut down, and I don’t even know why.”
“One part wants connection, but the other sabotages it.”
...this work is for you.
SDT is especially helpful for clients with internal conflicts and protective parts of the psyche that seem to override present-day logic, relationships, or goals.
How it works:
Our minds are wired to protect us. When trauma happens, especially early in life, the psyche can split off into “parts” as a way to survive — one that manages day-to-day functioning, and another that holds the pain, fear, or unmet needs..
SDT helps bring compassionate awareness to these parts, understanding the roles they’ve taken on (even if they feel like they're working against you), and slowly reintegrating them into a more unified sense of self.
What sessions look like:
This work is typically slower-paced and collaborative, often combining parts work with bottom-up modalities like Somatic Experiencing, DBR, or EMDR to support deeper integration.
In session, we’ll explore:
The protective strategies you’ve developed
When and why they originated
How to build trust with more vulnerable parts of you
New ways to respond that align with your current values, boundaries, and desires
It’s not about “getting rid” of parts. It’s about leading with your Self, and supporting all parts of you in finding more peace and connection.
Why We Love It
SDT is one of the most validating frameworks for complex trauma.
It helps clients make sense of their patterns — without pathologizing. And it explains why certain stuck points don’t shift through logic, insight, or “just trying harder.”
Clients often say this work gives them language for what they’ve intuitively felt for years but couldn’t explain. It opens the door to real compassion for themselves — and deeper, lasting change.
