Dissociation & Complex Trauma Therapy in NYC

Dissociation is a commonly misunderstood mental health experience. It can feel like being disconnected from your body, mind, or surroundings—moments of feeling foggy, blank, frozen, or “not yourself.” In many cases, dissociation is a natural protective response, part of the body’s fight, flight, or freeze system when something feels overwhelming or unsafe.

For many people, dissociation is brief and occasional—like walking into a room and forgetting why, or going on “autopilot” during a routine task. But for individuals who have experienced complex trauma—such as chronic stress, neglect, or childhood adversity—dissociation can happen more frequently and have a deeper impact on daily life, relationships, and sense of self.

Why Dissociation Is Often Missed in Therapy

Dissociation and complex trauma are not always fully addressed in traditional therapy training. As a result, many people spend years in therapy without understanding why they feel stuck, disconnected, or misunderstood.

You might notice:

• Sudden emotional shifts toward your therapist
• Difficulty explaining your internal experience
• Feeling misunderstood, dismissed, or labeled incorrectly
• Cycles of progress followed by shutdown or withdrawal

Without proper training in trauma and dissociation, these experiences can be misinterpreted as resistance or avoidance—when they are actually protective responses.

Our Approach to Dissociation & Complex Trauma

Effective trauma therapy requires more than just talking. It involves a patient, attuned, and body-aware approach that helps you safely reconnect with your internal experience over time.

Our work focuses on:

• Identifying and understanding dissociation in real time
• Building safety and trust within the therapeutic relationship
• Regulating the nervous system through grounding and somatic techniques
• Integrating different emotional states and parts of self
• Working at a pace that feels manageable and respectful

In many cases, processing past trauma is not the starting point. Instead, we focus on what is happening in the present—helping you stay connected, aware, and supported.

While there are many therapists in NYC, fewer specialize in the nuanced work of dissociation and complex trauma. This is a core focus of our practice.

How Do I Know if Trauma Therapy Is Right for Me?

You don’t need to identify your experiences as “trauma” to benefit from this work.

Trauma therapy may be helpful if you’ve experienced:

• Childhood emotional neglect, criticism, or invalidation
• Bullying or social exclusion
• Cultural or systemic oppression
• Chronic stress or instability
• Abuse or overwhelming life events

This type of therapy goes beyond problem-solving. It focuses on:

• Patterns rooted in early relationships
• Non-verbal and emotional communication
• Nervous system regulation
• Attachment and relational dynamics

We understand that you may not always have words for what you’re feeling—and that trust can take time. Our approach is designed with that in mind.

What Is Relational Trauma Therapy?

Our clinicians primarily work from a relational psychodynamic perspective (a type of transference-focused therapy), meaning we explore your experiences within the context of your relationships—past and present.

Rather than focusing only on symptom reduction or quick fixes, we aim to:

• Understand the deeper origins of emotional patterns
• Explore your relational history and developmental experiences
• Help you access and process underlying emotions and needs

We also integrate approaches like CBT and DBT when helpful—especially for managing immediate stress, building coping skills, or navigating crises.

Fees & Insurance

We believe therapy should be accessible and transparent.

• Fees range from $125–$325 per session, depending on the clinician
• We accept Aetna and help maximize out-of-network benefits
• Self-pay options are available for those seeking greater privacy
• Limited sliding scale spots are offered and reviewed every 6 months

For more details, please visit our rates page.

How do I get started?

You can fill out our form on the contact page or give us a call at 212-547-9853. Someone will reply to you within 1-2 business days to set up a brief 10-15 minute FREE phone consultation to get a better idea of what you’re looking for and if we might be a good fit for you. At that time, scheduling and insurance will be discussed and we’ll try to get you in as soon as possible for an intake appointment. So fill out the form or give us a call and we’ll take it from there!

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