Dissociative Disorders Therapist in Austin, TX
Trauma-Informed Therapy for DPDR, OSDD, and DID
EMDR, Parts Work, and Trauma Therapy for Dissociative Disorders, DPDR, OSDD, and DID
When life feels fragmented, when you lose time, feel detached from your body, or sense conflicting parts within you, therapy can help you find a sense of safety and grounding. Dissociation is not a sign of weakness. It’s your nervous system’s way of protecting you from overwhelming traumatic experiences. At Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR, PLLC, you’ll find trauma-informed care designed to meet you where you are and help you safely reconnect with your body, identity, and daily life.
In-person in Austin, TX • Telehealth for clients across Texas
Specializing in EMDR Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Ego State Therapy, and Complex Trauma Recovery
Alex Penrod, MS, LPC, LCDC
Founder and Therapist
As a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in trauma and dissociation, I provide individualized therapy that honors the complexity of your system. I integrate EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and somatic interventions to help clients safely reconnect with their inner world. My work is grounded in compassion, neuroscience, and respect for each person’s unique way of surviving.
In-Person Therapy: I provide in-person EMDR therapy in North and Southwest Austin.
Telehealth: Convenient virtual EMDR sessions help adults throughout Texas heal from home.
I welcome new clients from all walks of life. To learn more about how I can help you find lasting healing, schedule your free 15-minute consultation with me. I’d love to learn more about your goals and answer any questions you may have.
Training and Certification
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![Green and white circular badge from Evergreen Certifications displaying the text Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level 2.]()
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional II (CCTP-II)
Trained and Certified in the treatment of complex trauma (C-PTSD)
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EMDR Trained
Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy by the EMDR Institute
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Advanced EMDR Training
Trained in the use of EMDR in the treatment of dissociative disorders
What Dissociation Feels Like
Dissociation can take many forms, from feeling like you’re floating outside your body to experiencing memory gaps or a divided sense of self.
Many clients describe it as:
“It’s like I’m not here anymore.”
“I lose track of time and can’t remember what I did.”
“I feel like different parts of me take turns living my life.”
You may also experience anxiety disorders, mood swings, body image struggles, or chronic pain that seem to have no clear cause. These are often signs of a nervous system still protecting itself long after the original traumatic event has passed.
Dissociation can emerge from childhood trauma, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or other traumatic experiences. Over time, it may lead to relationship issues, trust issues, or confusion about your identity and emotions. You are not broken, your mind learned to survive in ways that can be very confusing, but also make sense and can change. Therapy helps you untangle and organize things inside so you can begin healing.
Understanding Dissociative Disorders
Dissociation exists on a spectrum. You may experience:
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder (DPDR): feeling detached from yourself or reality.
Dissociative Amnesia: gaps in memory for parts of your life or traumatic events.
Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD): identity confusion or inner parts without full separation.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): the presence of distinct identities or “parts,” formally called multiple personality disorder.
Each is a natural response to unbearable stress. Healing begins when you understand how your system adapted, and how to help it feel safe enough to reconnect. (For in-depth information about these four categories, visit our Dissociation Education Page.)
A Trauma-Focused, Parts-Informed Approach
At Neuro Nuance Therapy and EMDR, dissociation treatment integrates evidence-based trauma therapy with relational attunement and nervous-system regulation. You are the expert on your experience and set the pace for how quickly you move. Think of your therapist as your guide, with a road map and potential strategies to help you get where you looking to go.
My approach draws from:
Eye Movement Desensitization (EMDR): facilitating memory reconsolidation and trauma resolution while maintaining dual awareness.
Internal Family Systems (IFS), Ego State Therapy, and Parts Work: helping each part of you find its voice and role in the healing process.
Somatic Therapies: grounding in the body, breath, and sensory awareness to increase safety and presence.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): building coping strategies, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): cultivating mindful connection to your values and the present moment.
Your therapy plan may also integrate supportive talk therapy, and referrals for couples counseling or family therapy when relationship repair is part of your healing journey.
Your Healing Journey: Three Phases of Recovery
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1. Stabilize and Build Safety
Learn grounding, mindfulness, and emotion regulation skills to calm your nervous system. Develop coping skills that make daily life more manageable and reduce self-harm or impulsive reactions. Create cooperation among parts and gain permission to process trauma.
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2. Process Past Trauma
Using EMDR and parts work, we carefully revisit traumatic memories at a pace that keeps your system within its window of tolerance. This phase helps you reprocess experiences of physical or emotional abuse, and other past traumas without re-traumatization.
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3. Integrate and Reconnect
Strengthen your sense of self, trust, and continuity. Many clients go on to build healthier relationships, stabilize mood, manage stress, and rediscover the present moment with clarity and compassion. Parts may fuse into a form of wholeness of retain their identity in harmony.
How Therapy Helps
Clients often report that, over time, therapy helps them:
Feel more grounded and embodied in daily life
Experience fewer dissociative “fog” episodes, switches, or memory gaps
Improve emotional regulation and stress management
Strengthen relationships and reduce conflict
Address co-occurring conditions like PTSD, Complex PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, eating disorders, and substance abuse
Navigate life transitions or career counseling exploration with self-compassion
Reclaim purpose, meaning, and continuity of self
This work takes patience and collaboration. Together, we create a safe space for authentic healing, not quick fixes.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Click the button below to meet with me personally and find out if my services and approach may be a fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, Virtual EMDR sessions can be successfully conducted online through secure video. The process can be adapted for teletherapy, utilizing visual cues, auditory tones, or tapping for bilateral stimulation. This flexibility allows you to receive EMDR treatment from the comfort and safety of your home.
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Yes, I have an office for in-person sessions in North Austin near Mopac and 183 and in Southwest Austin on Bee Caves Road if you prefer to meet face to face. My availability is more limited for this option though.
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I have several ways you can use your insurance.
I'm in network with Aetna and offer a convenient hassle free way to handle your claims through a company called Headway.
For all other insurance carriers, if you've met your deductible for the year you could get automatic reimbursement and only pay for a portion of your sessions by using a company called Thrizer to process out of network claims. If you haven't met your deductible, we can submit superbills to Thrizer to apply toward meeting it.
I can assist you with your options in a free 15-minute consultation or visit my services page for links to explore these options for yourself.
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I charge $150 for 60-minute sessions and $225 for 90-minutes sessions.
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We modify EMDR using shorter sets of bilateral stimulation, containment strategies, extensive grounding and resourcing, and parts-informed preparation to maintain safety and connection to the present moment.
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Integration doesn’t mean erasing or merging parts, it means improving communication and cooperation so your system functions harmoniously. “Fusing” parts is something that is optional and always your choice.
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Yes. Many clients also experience anxiety disorders, mood disorders, compulsive coping behaviors, or chronic pain. We address these within a trauma-informed framework.
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Recovery from dissociation varies greatly. The goal isn’t quick change but sustainable stability. Some begin with short-term stabilization work; others engage in long-term trauma therapy. Stabilization and readiness to process trauma can be achieved in months while fully processing trauma can take years.
Begin Your Healing: 3 Step Plan
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Book Your Free 15-Minute Consultation
Follow the link below to use my calendar and choose a time that’s right for you.
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Together we assess your needs and determine a plan of action
A consultation allows you to explore if therapy with me is right for you with no commitment or obligation.
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Begin healing your past, reclaiming your present, and building your future
After consultation, beginning therapy is as easy as scheduling your first session.