Trauma-related Dissociations and Understanding Dissociation Strategies

Dissociation is a core survival response that allows individuals to endure overwhelming or traumatic experiences. While often misunderstood or misdiagnosed, dissociative responses are common among trauma survivors and can significantly affect daily functioning—leading to disconnection from one’s body, emotions, relationships, and sense of self.

This one-day experiential workshop introduces care providers to the complex and nuanced landscape of trauma-related dissociation. Rather than pathologizing dissociation, we explore it as a creative and protective response to adversity. Participants will be guided to recognize dissociative patterns through somatic, relational, cognitive, affective, behavioral, and narrative cues—and to respond with regulation, containment, and attuned presence.

Drawing on principles from the structural dissociation model, parts work, sensorimotor psychotherapy, polyvagal theory, and Identity-Oriented Psychotrauma Therapy (IoPT), this workshop supports participants in building the safety and therapeutic stance needed to begin meaningful work with dissociation.

While not a substitute for specialist training, this course provides a foundational orientation for working with dissociation—emphasizing humility, safety, and the long arc of healing.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Conceptualize dissociation as an adaptive, survival-based response to trauma, and describe the protective functions of fragmentation across identity, consciousness, and affect.
Identify dissociative responses using a multi-layered clinical lens—tracking somatic cues, relational shifts, cognitive and affective disruptions, behavioral changes, and narrative disconnection.
Apply foundational stabilization strategies, including orienting, grounding, tapping (EMDR/EFT-inspired), and internal resourcing to support nervous system regulation.
Begin engaging with dissociative parts (e.g., protector, manager, and wounded parts) using containment, pacing, and attuned relational presence.
Adapt interventions with cultural humility, considering how trauma and dissociation may present differently across diverse identities and systemic contexts.
Strengthen therapeutic presence through somatic self-awareness, co-regulation, and boundary clarity—supporting sustainable trauma work.

Course Duration: 7 hours

Dissociation and the Fragmented Self
Explore dissociation as an adaptive survival response to trauma and chronic relational threat. Learn foundational concepts such as structural dissociation, parts of self, and the protective role of fragmentation.

Recognising Dissociative Responses Across Clinical Channels
Identify dissociation through somatic signals (e.g., freeze states, disconnection), relational patterns (e.g., distancing, role shifts), cognitive and affective markers (e.g., blanking out, emotional flooding), and narrative features (e.g., part-language, time loss). Learn how to use these cues to pace and contain therapeutic work.

Creating Safety: Building Stabilization and Co-Regulation
Learn practical strategies to foster internal and relational safety. Explore body-based stabilization tools—including grounding, orienting, containment techniques, tapping, and inner resourcing—to restore nervous system balance and prepare for deeper work.

Engaging Fragmented Parts with Attunement and Care
Develop sensitivity to the presence of dissociative parts and learn how to engage protector or vulnerable self-states with curiosity and respect. Practise relational containment and titrated engagement rooted in principles from IFS and IoPT.

Therapist Presence, Cultural Sensitivity, and Ethical Practice
Deepen your own somatic awareness and emotional regulation as a care provider. Reflect on cultural and systemic influences on trauma expression and your own role as a regulated, ethical presence in complex trauma work. Emphasize the value of supervision and reflective practice for sustained, safe engagement.

Methods of Learning

Case illustrations and clinical reflections
Role-plays and guided experiential practice
Somatic and expressive exercises
Group discussion and reflective inquiry

Gwen Koh

Ms Gwen Koh is a well-regarded social service practitioner who has amassed more than 25 years of frontline and supervisory practice. She holds a Bachelor degree in Social Work from the National University of Singapore and a Masters degree in Social Work from Melbourne University, Australia. Gwen is also trained in Identity Oriented Psychotrauma Theory (IoPT), EMDR, among other professional trainings. Having rose up the ranks beginning as a Youth Worker, Gwen is well-acquainted with the structure and the challenges of the local social work scene. She is currently dividing her time running her own private practice as well as serving as the Principal Social Worker in a charity running residential care, fostering service, respite care, youth outreach, adventure therapy and clinical intervention where she supervises younger colleagues. Gwen has served and supported children, adolescents and adults through individual, group, couple/marital and systemic family interventions. Gwen is adept in experiential therapeutic work with clients especially in companioning with them to unravel their strengths and resources, thereby support them towards healing, transformation and growth. Her specialties include working with individuals in dealing with anxieties, trauma, major life transitions, grief and relational challenges.

Available Funding

SkillsFuture Credit: Can be used to pay course fee fully or partially

NTUC UTAP: NTUC union members enjoy 50% unfunded course fee support, capped at $250 or $500 (aged 40 years old and above)

This course is designed for care professionals, including Social Workers, Counsellors, Youth Workers and Psychologists working with complex cases or clients who have experienced traumatic stress. Those aspiring to provide trauma-sensitive care will also benefit from this course.