System Responsibility Quotes

“Patients with complex trauma may at times develop extreme reactions to something the therapist has said or not said, done or not done. It is wise to anticipate this in advance, and perhaps to note this anticipation in initial communications with the patient. For example, one may say something like, "It is likely in our work together, there will be a time or times when you will feel angry with me, disappointed with me, or that I have failed you. We should except this and not be surprised if and when it happens, which it probably will." It is also vital to emphasize to the patient that despite the diagnosis and experience of dividedness, the whole person is responsible and will be held responsible for the acts of any part. p174”
― Elizabeth F. Howell, The Dissociative Mind

“The DID patient should be seen as a whole adult person with the identities sharing responsibility for daily life. Despite patients’ subjective experience of separateness, clinicians must keep in mind that the patient is a single person and generally must hold the whole person (i.e., system of alternate identities) responsible for the behavior of any or all of the constituent identities, even in the presence of amnesia or the sense of lack of control or agency over behavior.
From p8
International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. (2011). Guidelines for treating dissociative identity disorder in adults, third revision: Summary version. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 12, 188–212.”
― James A. Chu

“The client as a whole has to take responsibility for the actions of any alter. DID clients complain that 'it's not fair, it wasn't me' when an alter has behaved in a way that is seen to be unacceptable. By working from the start with the client as a whole, this can be minimised. Some alters may be easier to deal with, e.g. they are more co-operative, more trusting, not hostile. However, the therapist should respect and treat all alters equally as far as is possible.
From Chapter 6, by Sara Scott.”
― Zetta Bear, Good Practice in Counselling People Who Have Been Abused