Trauma, Dissociation, and Chronic Shame – Reflections for Couple and Family Practice: An Interview with Kathy Steele

Abstract

Dissociation and shame are pervasive in unresolved trauma and can be hard to recognise. It is not uncommon for couples and families who present for relationship counselling to have a history of trauma, and relational therapists need to be able to identify and know how to work with these individual symptoms in systemic work. Current trauma literature emphasises the importance of incorporating a somatic therapy focus alongside more traditional cognitive approaches. This interview with international trauma expert Kathy Steele includes an introduction to her work and reflections on its relevance for couple and family practice. In the interview Steele outlines her understanding of dissociation and chronic shame and how to work clinically when they are present.

COVID Couple Therapy: Telehealth and Somatic Action Techniques

“…In an article on trauma, dissociation, and shame, Codrington ( 2017 ) reports on an interview with trauma expert Kathy Steele who says, ‘Helping clients understand that not a single step forward can happen unless both feel safe might help them understand the importance of pausing and focusing on safety. It can even become an exercise for the couple, that they find ways to support each other to feel safe’ (p. 677).…”