Title : The antidote to dissociation is connection

As the dissociative mechanism involves a disconnection from both social interactions and aspects of internal experience. Dissociation occurs under two conditions: an overwhelming and intolerable emotional experience, and the absence of an empathetic and protective support figure. Addressing this phenomenon in therapy involves making active use of the therapeutic relationship to help the dissociative defence mechanism realise that it is now in a safe and supportive environment. The therapist who is present belongs to the patient’s present. It is through social connection that we experience the conditions necessary to heal our trauma from a safe present.

Psychologist and specialist in clinical psychology, he is co-director of ALECES, Institute of Integrative Trauma Psychotherapy with 40 years of experience. He is an international trainer, current president of the Iberian Association of Brainspotting and Founder of the Ibero-American Association of Psychotrauma (AIBAPT). Is an international trainer, lecturer and author of the 5 books: Beyond the Self: Healing Emotinal Trauma and Brainspotting 2016, 2022), Who Am I? from dissociation to integration, (2022), and The Two Faces of Nina (2024), Our Internal Citadel (2025) and co-author of the book The Power of Brainspotting (2018).