A Couple of Multiples: The Reality of Living with Dissociative Identity Disorder
There’s never a dull moment for hosts, Drew and Garden System, who are a couple that have both been diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder. While they are navigating their healing journey, they continue to manage full time careers, raise four teenagers and a house full of pets. Not only do they aim to speak to people who have lived experience with DID and their supporters, but also therapists and anyone who wants to learn more. The podcast talks about Dissociative Identity Disorder in a way that someone who knows nothing about DID will be able to understand, and at the same time is designed to be a resource for therapists, while supporting and validating those with lived experience. Dissociative Identity Disorder is a highly stigmatized mental health diagnosis that has been subject to many myths and misinformation over the years. These myths, along with highly-sensationalized media portrayals, have led to many who still believe this disorder is not real and simply created by therapists who impose themselves on highly suggestible clients. The goal of the podcast is to dispel these myths and educate the world at large the truth about Dissociative Identity Disorder, and the reality of what having this diagnosis really looks like. The brain had to find a unique way to cope in order to survive the trauma people with DID faced from a very young age. Also, this condition is not rare, although many reputable sources still cite it as such. People with DID are ordinary members in your community that you might encounter in your daily life. Drew and Garden System want to shed light on the challenging symptoms people with DID face and share how they have overcome those challenges and found the gifts of joy that all of their parts bring to each other.
Episodes
Drew & Garden System have an informative discussion with Amy Beckler LCSW on the benefits of yoga and somatic exercises for people living with complex trauma, particularly those experiencing dissociative identities.
Wheel of Tolerance - https://livethechange.se/index.php/blog/the-wheel-of-tolerance
Dissociation Made Simple - https://amzn.to/4uZYmB0
Thank to our sponsors:
Healing My Parts - https:...
Drew & Garden System discuss the healing journey from childhood abuse and dissociative identity disorder with Bonnie Armstrong, the author of An Apparently Normal Person. Bonnie's story is unique in that she worked in child welfare and advocacy without realizing she, too, was a survivor of childhood abuse. Her medical struggles helped her uncover the truth about her past.
Bonnie R. Armstrong spent decades as an apparently n...
Drew & Garden System have an in depth discussion about surviving and healing from cult torture and abuse with Cheryl Rainfield, a survivor living with poly-fragmented dissociative identities. who used creative writing as a tool for healing and to shed light on the truth on cults and human trafficking.
Award-winning author Cheryl Rainfield is a nonbinary lesbian who writes novels for teens, drawing on their own trauma and healing...
Drew & Garden System share powerful healing stories from Jade Miller, a peer support specialist. Jade Miller is a multiple, writer, and peer support worker who helps others living with dissociative experiences find community, language, and grounding. Through her coaching at Peer Support for Multiples and her upcoming Safe Harbor Peer Respite Center, she's building spaces where complexity and healing can coexist. Her teach...
Welcome to Season 5!
Dr. Frank W. Putnam shares the results from a 35 year long study, the Female Growth & Development Study, which he co-founded with the late Penelope K Trickett, PhD, on the effects of childhood maltreatment, particularly childhood sexual abuse.
Frank W. Putnam, MD, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and an internationally recognized expert on the health effects of child abuse and family violence. He helped...
Drew & Garden System share a deep and personal story of how disclosure and having this podcast affected their personal lives. They discuss the consequences of fear and stigma that people with dissociative identity disorder face. They address system management, switching, and littles and how their systems work together to maintain employment and lead successful lives.
Thank you to our sponsors:
An unscripted interview: Drew & Garden System discuss supporting the challenges of living with dissociative identity disorder. Topics include disclosure, boundaries, and ideas for those who are supporting loved ones with DID.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Follow us on Instagram: @acoupleofmultiples, @note_to_selves, @seidi_gardensystem
Follow us on TikTok: @seidi_gardensystem, ...
Drew & Garden System have an illuminating conversation with Dr. Jamie+ Marich on recovery, the 12 step program, and dissociative identity disorder. They touch on important topics such as sponsors, adaptations and language, and considerations needed for recovery.
Resources: https://jamiemarich.substack.com/p/does-aa-work
Thank you to our sponsors:
The Institute for Creative Mindfulness & Healing Selves...
Drew & Garden System discuss all things related to ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, other psychedelics, and dissociative identity disorder with Melissas Parker, LMHC.
Thank you to our sponsors: (sponsorship of this episode does not indicate an endorsement of KAP or psychedelic therapies.)
Healing Selves Therapeutics - https://www.healingselvestherapeuticspllc.com/
Yvonne Fall, LPC -https://www.yvonnefalllpc.com...
Drew & Garden System have an open-hearted discussion with Rev. Karla Fleshman on her contributions to Queering EMDR Therapy, an upcoming book edited by Roshni Chabra LMFT and with a forward by Dr. Jamie Marich. They dive into Rev. Karla's battle with cancer, spirituality, how gender identity can contribute to dissociative experiences, and how one can find healing and community.
Preorder Queering EMDR Therapy here:...
Drew & Garden System engage Dr. Mike Lloyd of the CTAD clinic in the UK in an educational conversation about recognizing, diagnosing, and treating dissociative identity disorder.
Thank you to our episode sponsors:
Healing Selves Therapeutics https://www.healingselvestherapeuticspllc.com/ & To Life! Counseling https://tolifecounseling.com/
Visit our website acoupleofmultiples.com to learn more about o...
Drew and Garden System have an artistic discussion with Alix Amar, LCSW about various express arts activities and how they can be beneficial for survivors of trauma particularly those with dissociative identity disorder. Specific expressive artistic activities are explained and resources for trainings and continued exercises are provided throughout the episode.
Alix Amar, LCSW, one of our sponsor's for season 4, offers a number...
Drew & Garden System interview Monika Ostroff LICSW, CEDS-S (creator and host of Healing My Parts Podcast) and talk about treatment for eating disorders when a client also has dissociative identity disorder. In depth topics include navigating different selves, their eating behaviors and working on internal communication. They discuss the impact of trauma on the development of eating disorders, and various myths surrounding DID ...
Drew & Garden System have an insightful and informative conversation with Dr. Alison Miller, the author of Demystifying Mind Control & Ritual Abuse: A Manual for Therapists. Dr. Alison Miller shares important signs that therapists should be aware of when assessing for ritual abuse in their clients with DID and provides education on overcoming the programming of mind control.
Thank you to our amazing sponsors:
Drew & Garden System discuss in-patient/hospitalization care for people living with dissociative identity disorder with Donna Earle, LPC, CCPT. They cover important topics such as helpful tips for hospital staff, the differences between the different levels of care, and identifying potential treatment centers.
Please note that the hospitals and treatment centers listed are NOT recommended or endorsed by A Couple of Multiples/Mi...
Drew & Garden System have a candid conversation with Amy Wagner, LMFT/LMHC! Amy Wagner is an EMDRIA approved consultant and they all discuss the many dos and don'ts of using EMDR when clients live with dissociative identity disorder. They discuss the eight phases, resourcing skills, and what to do when clients dissociate or switch during session. You won't want to miss this amazing discussion!
Thank to our sponsors for...
Did you know that dissociative disorders are almost as common as mood disorders? Drew & Garden System chat with Dorinna Ruh, LCSW and cover valuable information about prevalence rates, how to recognize dissociation in yourself or in your client, ways to assess for a dissociative disorder, and a few EMDR tips as well! If you're working with complex trauma, then you're working with dissociation. You won't want to m...
Note: We highly encourage you to listen to Parts I & II before listening to this episode, as we continue to honor our truth and authenticity, which may feel more intense than the previous episodes on this subject. We would like for you to be able to determine if this episode will be something you want to listen to or pass on, so here are some details of what we share in this season 3 finale. The first thing we talk about is bei...
Drew & Garden System have a candid conversation with Garden System's two oldest children, both adults now, about what it was like growing up with a parent that has dissociative identity disorder.
Please visit acoupleofmultiples.com to see all of our current offerings!
Our amazing sponsors for Season 3:
The Institute for Creative Mindfulness, one of the largest EMDR Therapy training programs in North America is directed ...
Drew & Garden System give an off script interview of each other and share personal stories of what it is like to be a parent when you have dissociative identity disorder. They each dive into topics such as how different selves show up as a parent, interact with the children, and how they navigate the challenges that having DID brings to the role of parenthood. They also touch on the challenges of being a blended family.
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