The experience of professionals receiving patients with manifestations of traumatic dissociation: a qualitative study

Traumatic dissociation is defined as a disruption or disturbance in the integration of various cognitive functions in response to a traumatic event and has been the subject of extensive research in recent decades. For mental health professionals, exposure to patients with a history of trauma can have both negative and positive effects on their well-being. However, few studies have focused on the specific experiences of professionals encountering patients with traumatic dissociation. This study analyzed the experiences of 23 professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, and residents in psychiatry) working with patients presenting manifestations of traumatic dissociation, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology. This approach led to the identification of three key themes: (1) professionals’ reactions to patient dissociation, (2) professionals’ emotional and dissociative response, and (3) factors influencing reactions and impact on professionals’ life. In light of these findings, we propose several key points for training and supervision: taking into account the question of the body and physical contact; addressing the emotions experienced by professionals, particularly helplessness and loneliness, and carefully utilizing the diffusion of emotions and dissociation from the patient to the professional as a therapeutic tool to help patients self-regulate and reintegrate dissociated parts of themselves. Professionals report insufficient training on dissociation, relying on experience and peer support to recognize and manage symptoms.Patient dissociation elicits fear, helplessness, guilt, confusion, and sometimes dissociative states in professionals; while destabilizing, this emotional resonance and contagion can be used therapeutically to enhance connection and understanding.Professionals respond through action, presence and attentiveness, or distance. They adapt according to experience, context, and institutional support and often use tools similar to those they recommend to their patients to manage effects on both their professional practice and personal life. Professionals report insufficient training on dissociation, relying on experience and peer support to recognize and manage symptoms. Patient dissociation elicits fear, helplessness, guilt, confusion, and sometimes dissociative states in professionals; while destabilizing, this emotional resonance and contagion can be used therapeutically to enhance connection and understanding. Professionals respond through action, presence and attentiveness, or distance. They adapt according to experience, context, and institutional support and often use tools similar to those they recommend to their patients to manage effects on both their professional practice and personal life.