Member-only story
Therapy | Coping | Being Human
When Clients Disappear: Recognizing The Hidden Language of Dissociation
How therapy can become an invitation to stay, see, and bridge the distance
In almost every session, there’s a moment when something shifts.
A yawn that isn’t about tiredness. A sudden bracing in the body. A far-off look in the eyes. A voice that turns flat and distant.
These are often signs of dissociation — the nervous system’s gentle way of creating distance from something overwhelming.
Yet, even after years of practice, I still sometimes miss it.
I see it too late. Or perhaps I feel it… but second-guess myself.
The truth is, catching dissociation in real time isn’t always easy — even when you know what to look for.
And maybe that’s part of the point: dissociation wasn’t meant to be obvious. It evolved to protect us quietly, by slipping experience out of awareness before we can fully know it.
Dissociation: A Human Response, Not Just a Trauma Response
Dissociation is often associated with trauma — and for good reason.
