Prof. Gómez Shares Expertise at Conference on Dissociative Identity Disorder
People from marginalized communities with mental health difficulties often struggle to access culturally relevant treatment. At a recent conference, Prof. Jennifer M. Gómez from Boston University School of Social Work highlighted how systemic oppression and cultural betrayal play critical roles in shaping the experiences of women and girls of color diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID). Her talk was part of the 2024 McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School conference, “Stronger Together: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) Past, Present, & Future.”
Gómez’s recommended approach to treatment is focused on elevating the marginalized voices of those most impacted by societal inequities and integrating an understanding of both (intra)cultural trust and betrayal within communities. Key themes from her talk, “Preliminary Treatment Approach for DID: A Black Feminist Lens Centering Inequality and Cultural Betrayal Trauma,” include:
- Cultural Betrayal Trauma Theory: Gómez’s cultural betrayal trauma theory focuses on the dynamics of (intra)cultural trust, cultural betrayal trauma, and (intra)cultural pressure. These core elements are crucial for understanding the complex emotional and psychological layers involved in trauma experienced by individuals from marginalized groups, particularly within their own cultural communities.
- Intersectional Oppression: By connecting the experience of DID with broader systems of racism and sexism, Prof. Gómez underscored how dissociative self-states may develop as a defense mechanism in response to trauma and interlocking oppressions.
- Liberation Health Framework: Prof. Gómez outlined the five guiding principles of the Liberation Health Model and how they can be used to foster healing at structural, interpersonal, and individual levels. This framework focuses on empowering individuals to challenge and transform the oppressive conditions that contribute to their mental health struggles.
Through this Black feminist and liberation-centered lens, Prof. Gómez calls for a more inclusive and culturally attuned approach to mental health care. By addressing both the social and psychological aspects of dissociative identity disorder, her work aims to bring about systemic change and more effective support for those facing cultural betrayal trauma, racism, sexism, and intersectional oppression.