The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between creativity and compartmentalized dissociation (CD) and explore clinical implications for treatment. After examining the distinction between detachment and CD, the paper presents the main developmental pathways that lead to pathological presentations of CD, highlighting the role of creativity and fantasy proneness. The paper defines the potential benefits of using creative approaches specifically focusing on dance/movement therapy (DMT) in the treatment of CD. These dance/movement interventions address some of the therapeutic tasks required for people with CD, such as the identification and mapping of alters and the improvement of communication, collaboration and coordination among them. The paper finally applies choreographic and performance lenses to the integration and mastery of therapeutic transitions, specifically pertaining to the transformation and fusion of alters. In this process, the paper both examines the benefits of the use of body and movement and also stresses potential caveats in working with this population.
Dissociative phenomena have been largely understood both as a failure in the normal development of the self (Liotti, 2009) and as a defensive mechanism against pain (Ross et al., 2008). Under these premises, childhood trauma is conceptualized as one of the factors in the development of pathological dissociation (Chu and De Prince, 2006 and Putnam et al., 1996). Nevertheless, childhood trauma does not by itself explain the onset of pathological dissociation because adults with traumatic backgrounds resort to a myriad of coping mechanisms. Among other factors, creativity and fantasy proneness have been found to contribute to the development of dissociation (Dalenberg et al., 2012). In this view, dissociation is conceptualized as a creative defense that over time evolves into an automated, non-volitional and context-dependent response, maximizing survival instead of adaptability, even in the absence of threat; what was an asset becomes a liability later in life.
Paradoxically, emotional traumas are also “the probable stimuli for new awakenings… Even within compulsivity, rigidity, and obsession, a grounding is established for a struggle against confinement. The spurring on of creative forces awakens the excitement inherent in existence” (Stern, 1988, p. 2). As challenging as it might be, creative therapeutic approaches such as dance/movement therapy (DMT) may be well suited to reverse the traumatic process and transform a liability into an asset again.
Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the kinship between creativity and dissociation and to propose creative treatment interventions using a DMT approach. The paper first defines dissociation and distinguishes detachment and compartmentalized dissociation (CD). Second, main developmental pathways leading to pathological presentations of CD are presented. Among the contributing factors, the paper highlights the capacity to dissociate, which is moderately but significantly correlated with creativity and fantasy proneness. Then, the paper outlines the potential benefits of using creative approaches in the treatment of CD and specifically introduces dance/movement interventions as an example to address therapeutic tasks with this population.
A brief note on the methodology and data sources: the first part of the paper reviews the relevant literature to construct a hypothesis on the correlations between creativity, CD and therapy approaches. The second part of the paper, where clinical interventions are delineated, is drawn from personal experience working in private settings with people that have experienced physical abuse (mainly domestic violence and sexual assault). All of my clients were dealing with different ego-states and levels of development and autonomy, although none of them had received a formal diagnosis of dissociation. Hence, these interventions are a theoretical expansion for clients with more extreme presentations of segregated ego-states. These preliminary explorations are meant to be the foundation for future case studies and, down the line, for a more comprehensive treatment model of CD.
