Fostering Internal Cooperation Through the Use of Imagery in the Treatment of Dissociative Identity Disorder

Abstract

Most clinicians working with dissociative identity disorder (D.I.D.) recognize the importance of working towards a cooperative system especially during the initial stages of treatment. However, achieving this can be a monumental task given the inner war that goes on inside the mind of an individual diagnosed with D.I.D. From an ego-state theoretical framework, this article will demonstrate through clinical cases and artwork, the value of imagery techniques in changing internal perceptions, especially with regards to introject ego states. These changes can assist in eliciting more internal cooperation, a necessary task prior to working towards a collaborative, co-conscious system or what some theorists would call integration.

Applying the Schema Therapy Approach of Edwards’ Case of Kelly to Patients With Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): The Cases of Susie and Anna

“…Imagery and mode dialogues (chair work) are also effective interventions both for affect regulation and for increasing communication, cohesiveness, collaboration, and co-consciousness in the internal system (the 4 C's of working with DID; Lemke, 2007). They are used both to identify and address the individual needs of specific modes, and to increase the client's ability to regulate a dysregulated system.…”