Residential Mental Health Treatment for Dissociative Identity Disorder in Haverhill, MA
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a complex and often misunderstood mental health condition. It involves the presence of two or more distinct personality states—commonly referred to as “alters”—that take control of a person’s behavior at different times. These alters may have their own identities, memories, preferences, and even physical characteristics such as handwriting or speech patterns.
At Serenity at Summit New England in Haverhill, Massachusetts, we provide short-term residential mental health treatment for individuals struggling with DID and related dissociative symptoms. Our trauma-informed care model supports identity integration, emotional regulation, and safety stabilization in a structured, compassionate environment designed to promote healing.
Understanding Dissociative Identity Disorder
DID develops as a coping mechanism in response to overwhelming trauma, typically chronic abuse or neglect in early childhood. When the developing brain cannot process the trauma in a unified way, it may compartmentalize experiences into different identity states. These states can emerge as the person grows older, particularly under stress.
DID is not the same as simply feeling “different moods” or taking on roles in social situations. Each identity state may feel entirely separate, and the person may have memory lapses, confusion, or significant disruptions in functioning.
Core symptoms of DID may include:
- Two or more distinct identity states (alters) with unique behaviors or worldviews
- Memory gaps, including amnesia for daily events, personal history, or trauma
- Out-of-body experiences or depersonalization
- Frequent blackouts or lost time
- Sudden changes in voice, posture, or facial expression
- Feelings of detachment from thoughts or emotions
Because DID is rooted in trauma, many individuals also experience symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, or self-harming behaviors. Misdiagnosis is common, and proper assessment is critical to effective treatment.
Dissociation: A Spectrum of Experience
DID exists on the severe end of the dissociation spectrum. Dissociation is a natural mental process that allows a person to distance themselves from overwhelming stress. Most people dissociate occasionally, like zoning out during a long drive or daydreaming. However, in DID, dissociation becomes chronic and identity-related.
Other dissociative disorders include:
- Dissociative Amnesia: Inability to recall important personal information, usually after trauma
- Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder: Persistent feelings of detachment from self or surroundings
At Serenity at Summit, we treat DID and co-occurring dissociative conditions using trauma-informed modalities that prioritize safety, trust, and identity continuity.
Challenges of Living with DID
Individuals with DID often struggle with daily stability. Switching between alters may lead to difficulties with work, school, or relationships. Some identity states may be unaware of others or hold trauma memories, leading to internal conflict or emotional dysregulation. The experience can be frightening, isolating, and exhausting.
Many patients with DID report long histories of misdiagnosis, ineffective treatment, or being dismissed by providers who don’t understand dissociative disorders. At Serenity at Summit in Haverhill, MA, we work to change that by providing informed, respectful care grounded in the latest research and clinical guidelines.
Why Choose Residential Treatment for DID?
Outpatient therapy is the long-term treatment model for DID, but for individuals in acute crisis or needing stabilization, residential care offers a crucial bridge. Our program provides:
- 24/7 clinical supervision in a safe and consistent environment
- Short-term stabilization from severe dissociation, trauma flashbacks, or self-harming behaviors
- Medication evaluation and symptom monitoring
- Therapeutic support for identity mapping and internal communication
Short-term residential treatment is especially helpful during times of emotional collapse, after a traumatic trigger, or when outpatient therapy has plateaued.
Our Trauma-Informed Program in Haverhill, MA
Serenity at Summit New England offers a 21–35 day residential program tailored to adult patients seeking stabilization and clarity. We use a strengths-based, non-pathologizing approach to dissociative symptoms.
Key features of our DID care model include:
- Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation: Diagnosis and medication strategy
- Individual therapy: Building internal communication and safety planning
- Mindfulness and somatic grounding: Techniques to reduce dissociation and regulate emotions
- Group therapy: Psychoeducation on trauma, boundaries, and emotion regulation
- Health and wellness programming: Nutrition, sleep hygiene, and structured routines
We work collaboratively with outpatient providers and offer a seamless transition back to therapy after discharge.
DID and Local Mental Health Needs in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, especially in Essex County, access to trauma-informed mental health care is limited. DID is often misdiagnosed or mistaken for schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, or bipolar disorder, leading to years of mismanagement.
According to state mental health data:
- Nearly 1 in 5 residents in MA report experiencing a serious mental health challenge each year
- Essex County has among the longest outpatient wait times for complex trauma care
- Emergency room visits for dissociation-related complaints are rising in urban and rural areas alike
Serenity at Summit fills this care gap by providing rapid-access residential mental health stabilization for trauma-related disorders, without requiring substance use diagnoses.
What to Expect from Residential Care
Our facility is a secure, therapeutic setting where individuals can regain control in a safe space. Private and semi-private rooms, round-the-clock care, and structured schedules provide a healing rhythm that helps regulate the nervous system.
We welcome adult patients of all backgrounds and identities, and we provide care inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals, neurodivergent patients, and those with complex trauma histories.
Discharge Planning and Long-Term Care
Because DID requires ongoing therapeutic engagement, we ensure every patient leaves with a thoughtful aftercare plan. Our discharge services include:
- Referrals to outpatient trauma therapists trained in dissociation
- Psychiatric follow-up for medication continuity
- Education and support for family or partners (with consent)
- Community resources and peer support options
- Recommendations for safety planning, journaling, and grounding tools
Hope Is Possible—Integration Is a Process
Living with Dissociative Identity Disorder can feel chaotic, isolating, and exhausting. But with the right treatment and a supportive environment, stability is possible. At Serenity at Summit New England in Haverhill, MA, we walk alongside patients in the early steps of their healing process—building safety, fostering internal communication, and restoring hope. Our program doesn’t aim to erase parts—it supports people in reclaiming their whole selves.
📍 Address: 61 Brown Street, Haverhill, MA 01830
📞 Call: 978-312-9830
🌐 Website: www.serenityatsummit.com
Contact Serenity At Summit
If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder, contact us today to learn more about residential mental health treatment at Serenity at Summit in Haverhill, MA.
Stability begins with safety—and safety starts here.
