Why This Book?

The Dissociation Made Simple Flipchart is a companion resource to Dr. Jamie Marich’s book Dissociation Made Simple — and it offers something rare: a visual, accessible, and trauma-informed tool to help explain dissociation without shame or confusion. Designed for therapists and educators but deeply affirming for survivors too, this flipchart helps demystify the experience of “spacing out,” “losing time,” or “watching from the outside” by offering compassionate language and illustrations that normalize and validate the dissociative response.

Who It’s For

• Therapists and practitioners working with trauma survivors who experience dissociation
• Survivors who want to better understand what dissociation is and why it happens
• Educators, coaches, and advocates committed to trauma-informed communication

Big Takeaways

• Dissociation is a survival strategy, not a pathology — it’s how the brain protects us when experience becomes overwhelming.
• Naming and explaining dissociation in clear, non-shaming language helps reduce fear and internalized stigma.
• Simple visuals and metaphors can open powerful conversations in therapy and beyond.

How It Can Help

This flipchart isn’t just a tool for professionals — it’s a bridge between language and experience. It empowers survivors to understand what’s happening inside without judgment, and it equips therapists with clear, affirming ways to talk about complex trauma. It’s especially helpful in early sessions, when clients may be unsure how to name what they feel, or feel shame about their dissociative experiences.

Additional Notes or Warnings

• Designed as a therapeutic aid, but can be insightful for survivors in healing or educational settings.
• Based on the concepts in Dissociation Made Simple — best used together for deeper understanding.
• Content includes gentle explanations of dissociation, trauma responses, window of tolerance, and nervous system regulation.