Abstract
This study sets out to examine dissociation as a marker of trauma in the psychotherapeutic environment. It offers some definitions of trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and dissociation. It examines the neuroscience involved in the body’s stress response. It distinguishes between the hyperarousal response of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypoarousal of the parasympathetic response to a traumatic event. It identifies the hypoaroused response as the cause of dissociation as an ongoing disorder. It identifies poor infant attachment and early abuse and neglect as a primary factor in developing dissociation and dissociative identity disorder. It examines three leading theorist/practitioners approaches to the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and dissociation. Concluding that dissociation is primarily a marker for hypoaroused post-traumatic stress disorder in the psychotherapeutic environment. Author keywords: Dissociation, trauma, PTSD, Psychotherapy, Neuroscience, Fight-Flight-Freeze response
