Dissociative disorder treatment for teens and adults

Dissociation — a temporary sense of detachment from one's thoughts, feelings, or surroundings — is a normal human experience, ranging from mild (daydreaming, losing track of time) to severe. A dissociative disorder is diagnosed when dissociative experiences are persistent, distressing, and significantly disrupt daily functioning, identity, or memory.

Dissociative disorders are strongly associated with early, repeated, or severe trauma — such as childhood abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence. They develop as psychological adaptations that protect the mind from experiences too overwhelming to process consciously. Not everyone with a trauma history develops a dissociative disorder; genetics, attachment history, and available support all play a role.

The DSM-5 recognizes three primary types:

• Dissociative identity disorder (DID) involves two or more distinct identity states that take control of a person's behavior, along with memory gaps that go beyond ordinary forgetting — most often developing after severe, repeated childhood trauma.
• Dissociative amnesia involves being unable to recall important personal information, typically related to a traumatic event.
• Depersonalization/derealization disorder (DPDR) involves persistent feelings of being detached from one's own body or mind, or of the world feeling unreal — even while knowing that what they're experiencing isn't literally true.

If you're unsure which type of dissociative disorder you or a loved one may be experiencing, Charlie Health's Clinical Team can help.

Yes. While dissociative disorders — particularly DID — are among the more complex conditions to treat, meaningful improvement is achievable with appropriate, specialized care. Treatment typically follows a phased approach: stabilization first, then trauma processing, then integration. Progress requires patience and a strong therapeutic relationship, but recovery is possible. At Charlie Health, treatment is paced deliberately to match each client's needs.

Several evidence-based therapies are effective for treating dissociative disorders.

• Trauma-informed psychotherapy helps people understand the relationship between trauma and their current symptoms, develop coping and grounding skills, and gradually process traumatic memories in a safe, paced environment.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) addresses the emotional dysregulation that frequently accompanies dissociative disorders — its mindfulness skills in particular help clients stay present and recognize dissociative states as they occur.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy that helps clients process traumatic memories by reducing their emotional charge — without requiring detailed verbal recounting of what happened. This makes it particularly accessible for those who find it difficult to talk about their experiences.

Charlie Health's Clinical Team works with each client to determine the right combination of treatment options for their specific needs.

Any time dissociative symptoms are causing distress, interfering with daily functioning, or accompanied by memory gaps, identity confusion, or a trauma history, professional evaluation is warranted. Early assessment helps ensure an accurate diagnosis and the right level of care.

Dissociative disorders are considered relatively rare, though exact prevalence is difficult to establish due to underdiagnosis and symptom overlap with other conditions. Dissociative symptoms more broadly are significantly more common, particularly among people with trauma histories. With the right treatment, meaningful improvement is possible — and Charlie Health can help. Connect with our team to get started.

An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a level of behavioral healthcare for people who need more support than traditional weekly therapy but don't require inpatient care. The goal is to help people manage mental health and substance use challenges while maintaining their daily routines and responsibilities. Our IOP is delivered to clients directly at home through a virtual platform. Each program runs 9–12 weeks and includes 10+ hours of care per week. That time is split across individual therapy and group sessions, with family therapy and psychiatry available when clinically indicated. Scheduling is flexible, with morning, afternoon, and evening options to fit around school, work, and other commitments.

Charlie Health is in-network with more than 600 insurance plans nationwide, including most major commercial plans, TRICARE, and Medicaid in select states. Most clients (60%) pay $0 out-of-pocket. To verify coverage, contact the Admissions Team directly or fill out the online intake form.