You Are Not Alone: A Support Group for Individuals Living with DID and OSDD

Living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD) can be profoundly isolating. Many individuals navigate their lives feeling misunderstood, unseen, or unsure whether others truly grasp the complexity of their inner experience.

At CARE Counseling, Inc., we recognize that dissociation is not rare, not a failure, and not something to face alone. Our DID and OSDD Support Group was created to offer a safe, structured, and present-focused space for individuals already engaged in individual therapy to experience connection, stabilization, and support alongside others who understand this reality firsthand. DID Group Flyer

Understanding DID and OSDD Through a Trauma-Informed Lens

DID and OSDD are trauma-related dissociative conditions that develop as adaptive responses to overwhelming experiences, often occurring early in life. These conditions are frequently misunderstood or misrepresented, which can increase shame, confusion, and isolation for those living with them.

At CARE Counseling, we approach dissociation as a protective and meaningful survival strategy, not a pathology to be feared. Our work emphasizes:

Safety and stabilization
Respect for each individual’s internal system
Present-day functioning rather than trauma processing
Collaboration with each participant’s individual therapist

This group is not trauma-processing focused. Instead, it supports individuals in navigating daily life, relationships, and internal experiences with greater grounding and understanding.

What Is the DID & OSDD Support Group?

This is a weekly, in-person psychotherapy group designed specifically for individuals who:

Have a formal diagnosis of DID or OSDD
Are currently engaged in individual therapy
Have been referred by their treating therapist

The group focuses on living with dissociation in the present moment, rather than revisiting or processing past traumatic events.

Participants are supported in:

Reducing isolation and loneliness
Increasing understanding of dissociative experiences
Developing greater internal and external stability
Normalizing experiences through shared connection
Building skills for daily functioning and self-awareness

The group is facilitated by clinicians with specialized training and experience in dissociative disorders.

Why Group Support Matters for DID and OSDD

Individuals with DID or OSDD often report feeling alone—even within therapy or support systems. Group therapy can provide something uniquely powerful: being understood without having to explain or justify your experience.

Benefits of this type of group support may include:

Reduced shame through shared understanding
Increased grounding through co-regulation
Validation of lived experience
A sense of belonging and safety
Reinforcement of skills learned in individual therapy

Group work is not a replacement for individual therapy, but a complementary support that many find deeply stabilizing.

Group Details

Who: Individuals diagnosed with DID or OSDD, currently in individual therapy
Referral: Therapist referral required
When: Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.
Dates: March 4 – April 29
Format: Weekly, in-person psychotherapy group
Cost: Commercial insurance accepted; sliding-scale options available
Location:
CARE Counseling, Inc.
2132 Deep Water Lane, Suite 240
Naperville, IL 60564

Facilitators:
Lauren Brdecka-Drake, LCPC
Chloe Vassmer, LPC

Taking the Next Step

If you or your therapist believe this group may be a supportive addition to your care, we invite you to reach out for more information. Participation is carefully considered to ensure safety, readiness, and appropriate support for all group members.

Phone: 630-791-0444
https://carecounseling.healthcare/about-care