Trauma and Dissociation Informed IFS with Joanne Twombly

The podcast explores the integration of Trauma and Dissociation-Informed Internal Family Systems (IFS) for treating complex PTSD and dissociative disorders. Joanne Twombly, a psychotherapist with 30 years of experience, discusses her new book on the subject, highlighting the necessity of incorporating trauma treatment knowledge into IFS. She addresses misunderstandings between the IFS and trauma treatment worlds, such as the misconception that phase-oriented treatment is harmful or that coping skills are unnecessary. Twombly emphasizes the importance of teaching coping skills, pacing the uncovering of traumatic material, and recognizing clients' innate trance abilities. She also shares strategies for strengthening managers' ability to manage and the challenges of getting consent from all parts in highly dissociated systems.