Four in five psychologists overlook dissociation, a common trauma response in patients seeking therapy

New research has found that four in five Australian psychologists have gaps in their knowledge of dissociation – a common psychobiological response to trauma that can disrupt memory, emotion and identity – and cannot accurately identify dissociation symptoms. The paper is published in the news Psychological trauma: theory, research, practice and policy.

Of the 280 Australian psychologists surveyed, 99% reported treating clients exposed to trauma, but only 60% reported formal trauma training during their psychology qualification; only 41% reported dissociation training.

Dr. Jessica Mackelprang, the study’s senior author, is a clinical and health psychologist at Swinburne. She says that if doctors cannot recognize dissociation, symptoms are likely to go untreated, which can negatively impact therapy outcomes.

She adds: “Dissociation is often overlooked in both training and clinical practice. The symptoms can be disabling and are transdiagnostic, meaning they occur in many different mental disorders.”

Previous research has shown that symptoms of dissociation often go unrecognized in mental health settings. The team, including Niclés Bestel, a clinical psychologist who graduated from Swinburne’s postgraduate training, advocates for training on dissociation to be included in psychology curricula at postgraduate level and for accessible and cost-effective professional development on the subject to be made available worldwide. .

Swinburne researchers are working to develop resources on dissociation that will be made available to psychologists and psychiatrists, as well as doctors in training.

The study adds: “Psychologists who are more confident in treating dissociation are more accurate at identifying symptoms of dissociation. It is imperative that clinicians are confident and able to support clients who are experiencing these common but unrecognized symptoms.

“Dissociation symptoms can have a real impact on people’s lives and make it more difficult to progress in therapy. We have a responsibility to do better to ensure clinicians have the skills to support these individuals.”