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The Body-Mind Is Magnificent - Protectors and Dissociation In Complex Childhood Trauma
- Sarah Dionne
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 19
The Body-Mind is Magnificent.
At times, as children, it is the only protector we have— and it is a warrior. It will protect us at all costs. It will split and create dissociative parts, like wolves who band together, intertwined by the sacred bonds of spirit.
They will find ways through the darkest nights, they will circle those things we cannot bear, they will keep them from us, cornered— protecting us from what is intolerable.
They will give us unexplainable abilities to survive childhoods that seem impossible.
As children, we are defenseless; we are clinging to caregivers for protection. But what if they can't do it? What if they are the ones hurting us? What if they aren't there at all?
My childhood was riddled with profound trauma and neglect. Yet, my body-mind kept it all hidden from consciousness for decades.
My first hidden experiences came forward when I was twenty-seven. Later, in my forties, the enormity of it all came crashing forward.
My body-mind gave me access to the hallway of my life. It stretched far before me with smooth mint green walls interrupted by wooden doors— one after another after another. I reached out, pulling the bronze door knobs, opening it slowly, bracing to witness what had been hidden there for so long.
These forgotten experiences emerged first within my body through visceral, physical sensations. Then vague images bubbled up through what felt like a thick, black oil— slowly becoming visible. Eventually, the images created a entire memories.
These experiences were unbearable to hold as a child. Developmentally, I was unable to comprehend what had occurred. This was when my band of wolves arrived— the dissociation that is our greatest survival tool. They circled what I could never have managed, locking it away in rooms designed solely to keep me safe.
The wolves of protection guarded my delicate soul. It allowed me to dissociate from complex childhood trauma, attempting to give me a chance at a normal life.
If my wolves of protection hadn't come forward, I would have been annihilated..
While the body-mind does its absolute best to protect us, it is impossible to erase trauma from our bodies. No matter what, memories will remain active through somatic experiences...and even our wolves have their limits.
In order to heal, even if we do not have conscious, complete memories, we need to work with the body to move beyond the past. This may be a process of recovering forgotten memories or solely working with the physical sensations with somatic therapy.
Many women have energetically cut their minds off from their bodies because it had become unsafe; it is what experienced profound pain. Unconsciously, cutting the connection off is a method of protection.
Yet, it is impossible to fully heal without the body and mind reintegrating. While it can take time to cross this unconscious barrier, fully engaging our bodies is available us all.
There are many avenues to meet the body as you journey towards healing from complex trauma. A few methods are Eye Movement Desensitization, Internal Family Systems, Life Centered Therapy, and yoga therapy
If you have resonated with this entry, I invite you to follow my blog as I continue to share my journey, professional knowledge, and life wisdom.
All Good Things.
Sarah Dionne, MSW, LICSW is a supervisor, consultant, and trainer. Also, She is currently in Seminary at the Tree Of Life Interfaith Temple to be ordained as an Interfaith reverend in late 2026
Sarah embodies love and compassion as a mother, partner, friend, and professional.
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