Understanding Perinatal Trauma and Dissociation: A Window into Healing with EMDR
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- 2 min read
The transition into parenthood is a deeply transformative time marked by rapid psychological, hormonal, and relational shifts. Yet, for many, this season also unearths complex trauma and dissociative experiences that can feel overwhelming and isolating.
As trauma specialist and instructor, Nirit Gordon, PhD explains during her recent interview on the Notice That Podcast, “…think about it [matrescence] through a developmental lens as an accelerated process of change… there’s an increase of basically everything: motivation, coping, loss, sorrow, excitement and everything is at a higher volume all the time.”
To hear Nirit share these insights in her own words, listen to the full podcast conversation below.
The Hidden Layers of Perinatal Experience
While much attention is given to physical health throughout pregnancy and childbirth, the emotional and psychological landscape often remains uncharted. Nirit highlights how many people face birth trauma or feel unseen by healthcare systems, saying, “Women don’t feel seen or attended to in the way they wanted or needed. We have a big gap in our health system… being informed about what the birthing experience is like.”
This absence of validation can compound dissociative responses as the mind protects itself from overwhelming stress or trauma. In the perinatal context, dissociation can disrupt bonding, heighten anxiety, and interfere with the birthing person’s sense of self.
Moreover, these experiences do not exist in isolation. Nirit reminds us that becoming a parent “activates your own attachment memories” and can trigger unconscious reenactments of family patterns, making therapeutic support all the more essential.
Recognizing perinatal trauma and dissociation requires a nuanced, inclusive approach. Nirit emphasizes that “being a parent is a skill” and that this journey is shaped by evolutionary, cultural, and relational contexts.
Therapists working with perinatal clients benefit from integrating psychoeducation about this developmental stage, validating the unique challenges of matrescence, and tailoring interventions accordingly.
Bringing the Baby Into Therapy: A Resource, Not a Distraction
One innovative clinical insight Nirit shares is the practice of including the baby in the therapy room. This approach honors the parent-infant dyad and can provide grounding resources during treatment. It’s a powerful reminder that healing in the perinatal period often involves relational, not just individual, transformation.
Deepening Clinical Skills: Working with Dissociation in Perinatal Therapy
Understanding the intersection of perinatal trauma and dissociation is key to facilitating lasting healing. Nirit’s upcoming course, Working with Dissociation, offers specialized training to navigate these complex dynamics with confidence and care.
Working with Dissociation
🗓️ May 11, 2026
Learn to use the CIPOS protocol to foster dual awareness and manage dissociative processes during trauma treatment.
This training draws on Nirit’s extensive clinical and research expertise, equipping clinicians with practical tools to:
Identify and address dissociative responses in perinatal clients
Integrate attachment-based and trauma-informed EMDR interventions
Support clients through the unique developmental challenges of matrescence
If you work with perinatal populations or clients experiencing complex trauma, this course is an invaluable step toward expanding your therapeutic impact.