Dissociation : Vol. 7, No. 4, p. 246-260 : Various perspectives on parenting and their implications for the treatment of dissociative disorders
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Date
1994-12
Authors
Benjamin, Lynn R.
Benjamin, Robert
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation
Abstract
The parent-child dyad has been an underutilized resource for clinicians who treat individuals with dissociative disorders. This article examines the functions of the parent from the perspectives of various fields of knowledge: psychodynamic psychotherapy, attachment theory, infant development, affect theory, and family systems. It then elaborates on how dissociative symptoms may interfere with the normal processes of parenting and child development. Finally, it points out that there are a number of advantages to dealing with the parenting subsystem of the family of dissociative disorder individuals. Sensitizing clients to their own parenting can serve to benefit the therapeutic alliance as well as help the client/parent improve the parent-child relationship. This work has the potential both to aid in the recovery of the individual dissociative client and to begin to correct the transgenerational exploitation and mistrust which cause and perpetuate dissociative pathology.
Description
p. 246-260