(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Multiple Personality and Dissociation, 1991-06) Williams, Mary Beth
Partners and children of those who suffer multiple personality disorder may play important healing roles when they are able to be included in the therapeutic process. They can help map the system, provide emotional support, and contain episodes of rageful acting out. However, prior to beginning family therapy, the therapist must conduct a thorough assessment of family dynamics and individual members' strengths, coping skills, and levels of safety and trust in self and others. Themes of family treatment discussed in this paper include education, limit setting, contract development, mapping of alters, building a knowledge of the trauma history, creating family intimacy, recognition of individual needs, partners' issues, social skills training, and dealing with emotional impacts of multiplicity.
