Fragmentation of the sense of self maintains children’s attachment to abusive caregivers by disowning themselves as “bad” or “unlovable.”   This deeply painful failure of self-acceptance results in lifelong shame and self-loathing, difficulty self-soothing, and chronic dissociative symptoms and disorders.  Without internal compassion, it is difficult to take in the compassion and acceptance of others, complicating relationships. 

Abstract

Relational issues and the related dynamics that occur in the treatment of complex trauma and dissociative conditions are an ever-present and many times confusing aspect of treating this population.