You're Safe Here @systemcomfort - Tumblr Blog

I hope you go to bed with a light heart, and if not, that you wake up tomorrow a little less heavy than the night before. Know that you are loved and important. Your worth is beyond measure and you bring something very important to the world that only you have. We are glad you’re here with us, and if no one has told you this lately, I just want you to know that I’m proud of you. 🌸

traumasurvivors

The text reads: “Healing is worth it. And you deserve to heal”

ig @ anewspesimen

Image description: “It’s okay to need space from people you love” written in white letters at each end of a green double-ended arrow on a black background. “It’s okay to need space” is at one end - “from people you love” is at the other end

elioli-art

Hey everyone! Just want to remind you of the amazing resurgence of Iscribble! They have 8 days left on their Kickstarter! Please back if you can!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/iscribble/iscribble/community#

malkshake

6 days left and still a while to go :'U

lousydrawingsforgoodpeople

inkflowergarden

My energy levels are increasing.

danielavinueza

hatin

Do you have any advice for finding a decent therapist that is good at aiding patients with trauma and possible dissociation? I desperately need one, to help with PTSD and some possible OSDD based issues, but due to past bad experiences I am terrified to seek one out again.

This is an old ask, but I’ll answer it for anyone who is looking right now!

There are a few types of therapy we’ve seen be helpful for trauma. The one we like/ recommend the most is Internal Family Systems. It works off the premise that everyone has parts of themselves whether a DID/OSDD system or not, and everyone has to work together with the parts of themselves to find healing. In our experience, we made the strict distinction with our therapist that we would like to all be called by our names as alters when someone is fronting, but parts can just be referred to as parts. I believe each system should choose what feels right to them when it comes to whether to call everyone+everything parts or distinguish between alters and parts. Every system feels a different type of way about their internal experience, and differentiating is what felt right to us

Another type of therapy I have seen systems use is called Somatic Experiencing. This works with the body and takes its queues as to what is going on inside of you. It promotes grounding as well

Lastly I’ll mention EMDR, tho we had a very bad experience with it because the therapist was not using it correctly. You can look more into what it is since talking about it is triggering for us, but the point is if youre gonna do it, do your research on what therapists are doing it correctly. It’s a back door to processing trauma basically

All that said, we use psychologytoday.com to find therapists. you can filter for your area, filter to say you need trauma work, your insurance etc. always confirm the insurance with the therapist when first contacting them though, sometimes they dont update their psychologytoday and I dont want you getting slapped with a big bill

You can also filter for ones that work with dissociative disorders i think? or at least see if that is listed as something they work with

Truly that is our only suggestion because we’ve used just that website for years and it can be hard to find a profile you jive with so go searching when you know exactly what youre looking for, ask clarifying questions in your initial email to a potential therapist if something felt iffy to you, and remember that most profiles are gonna sound pretty corny, but you would too if you were writing a bio as a therapist >.<

#good luck to everyone!#thats about all i know tho so sorry #therapy #trauma mention #answered

Hi there. We're hoping this is okay to send, and if not we are deeply sorry.

Unfortunately we're in a situation where we'll likely be putting a rest or complete end to a very close friendship we've had for several years...

We don't want to get too detailed... But it's just not healthy... And we'd rather end things here than end on an even more bitter note...

It already hurts so much that we have to come to this choice at all... And the things that led us into needing to make it...

We know what we have to do for our health, and we will because we have to put ourself first, but it just hurts so much... We never thought things would come to this...

We just want to get it over with... Rip the bandaid off, you know..?

We just wanted to ask for some support or comfort from another system... Something to help this be any sort of easier...

Again: we are so very sorry if this crosses boundaries. Thank you for your time.

It's okay, anon. Relationships, of any kind, can get difficult and that isn't your fault. Its also not your fault that the best thing for you to do right now is step away from this one. Its ok to do, and It speaks volumes that you know this is what you have to do.

I trust your decision on this, because as systems we can find it really hard to recognize unhealthy relationships because of how desensitized to trauma/ harm we are (not saying this person is traumatizing you, but rather that as systems we have had to numb ourselves to pain in relationships at all in ways) So you are not only able to recognize this isn't healthy for you, but also bypass the nagging of the trauma brain to just "put up with it" "Stick it out for them" "stay so you don't hurt anyone"

You know this is causing you harm, and you're brave and strong enough to admit that. Even braver, you're willing to do what it takes to get better. Even if it means losing someone

At the end of the day, I believe we will all find our people. There are people out there that will be easy to be around. Will make you feel lighter, and more understood. You just gotta have faith in finding them.

#also like marie kondo the shit out of your social circle #if they dont spark joy drop em like its hot #i held my composure for the text but tags r where i run wild #also im very sleepy #i wish you the best #good luck!#answered

you-are-another-me

pack-of-rats-archive

If you're a system/ questioning system looking for a therapist to work with but are nervous about finding one who's actually knowledgeable enough to treat you:

Red flags:

- They call it multiple personality disorder.

- They think it's the same thing as BPD or schizophrenia.

- They think it's so incredibly rare that they'd never meet a client who actually has it.

- They automatically assume you're faking or confused because you've done your own research before seeing them.

- They believe final integration/ fusion is the only treatment goal.

- They see any alter who's not the host as a "fake" personality, and only address the host like a "real" person.

- They think alters are a delusion/ hallucination.

- They demand "proof" by trying to force you to switch in front of them.

- They believe in stereotypes about alter roles, i.e. "the violent one" or "the sexual one."

- They talk over you when you speak about your lived experiences.

Green flags:

- They use correct terminology and call it DID/ OSDD-1A(B), alters/ parts, etc.

- They understand it's a dissociative disorder and not a personality disorder.

- They know the statistics on how many people have DID/ OSDD-1 and have had other clients with those disgnoses, OR they are new but have taken time to educate themselves on DID/ OSDD-1 and express willingness to work with you as they learn.

- They express appreciation and respect for the research you've done to inform yourself.

- They acknowledge treatment goals besides final integration/ fusion and validate systems who want to work as a collective.

- They validate all alters as equals.

- They understand that alters are in fact dissociated identity states and not delusions/ hallucinations.

- They believe you when you speak about your experiences and don't expect you to prove yourself.

- They understand alter roles aren't set in stone, and treat alters respectfully without making assumptions or stereotyping.

- They show genuine interest and listen.

When you show up for your 1st appointment you are well within your rights to "interview" the therapist before you "hire" them. You get to feel things out before committing to being their client. It's ok to want them to earn your trust rather than giving it freely just because they're the "professional". They are getting paid to help you. They are working for you and if they try to get authoritarian, you can leave. If you don't feel comfortable for any reason you can leave and not go back.