Tovah Means, LMFT is a co-owner of Watch Hill Therapy, a Chicago-based group practice specializing in complex trauma and dissociative processes. In these clips, we discuss dissociation as a survival response, developmental vulnerability to trauma, the role of safety and shame in treatment, and how clinicians can think more clearly about trauma responses without rushing or oversimplifying the work.
North Star Behavioral Health's Brandon Gimbel and Tovah Means, LMFT of Watch Hill Therapy discuss dissociation as an unconscious protective response to overwhelming experience.
North Star Behavioral Health's Brandon Gimbel and Tovah Means, LMFT of Watch Hill Therapy explore why children are especially vulnerable to dissociation and how early threat shapes adult coping.
North Star Behavioral Health's Brandon Gimbel and Tovah Means, LMFT of Watch Hill Therapy examine how shame interferes with healing and how trauma-informed understanding can reduce it.
North Star Behavioral Health's Brandon Gimbel and Tovah Means, LMFT of Watch Hill Therapy clarify the clinical difference between dissociation and avoidance—and why confusing them can misguide treatment.
North Star Behavioral Health's Brandon Gimbel and Tovah Means, LMFT of Watch Hill Therapy explain why trauma work requires enough safety to remain engaged without overwhelm.
North Star Behavioral Health's Brandon Gimbel and Tovah Means, LMFT of Watch Hill Therapy discuss how dissociation preserves survival while limiting emotional and developmental capacity over time.
