Date
4-17-2024
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Thomas C. Vail
Keywords
dissociation, trauma, pathological dissociation, psychotherapist, psychotherapy
Disciplines
Arts and Humanities | Counseling
Recommended Citation
Martinez, Ebony M., "A Phenomenological Study Detailing Psychotherapeutic Perspectives of Psychotherapists Who Treat Individuals Living with Pathological Dissociative Practices" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5389.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5389
Abstract
The present phenomenological study endeavors to offer a comprehensive and profound insight into the phenomenon of pathological dissociation and the working experiences of psychotherapists who specialize in treating individuals with this condition. The primary objective of this study is to shed light on the intricate nature of pathological dissociation and provide a better understanding of the challenges that psychotherapists encounter during the therapeutic process. Nine licensed psychotherapists agreed to share their expertise and experiences in working with pathological dissociation. The trauma model was used as the theoretical framework to interpret reported pathological dissociative experiences. Based on participant reports, this theory asserts that a significant contributor to pathological dissociation is the experience of trauma. Two methods used for recruiting participants were snowball sampling and social media recruitment. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews by psychotherapists with experience in treating pathological dissociation. The participants in the discussion provided an elaborate account of their experiences with treating pathological dissociation while validating the existing literature that acknowledges the fear and apprehension associated with providing treatment to this population. The discussion also highlighted the need to clarify and rectify the barriers that psychotherapists may experience when engaging with individuals who experience pathological dissociation. Thematic analysis was utilized to identify, examine, and refine main themes to gain a deeper understanding of the data. The findings of this study can contribute to the limited literature regarding the education and treatment of pathological dissociation.
