Joanne H. Twombly, MSW, LICSW is a psychotherapist in private practice in Arlington, MA, with over thirty years of experience specializing exclusively in complex PTSD and dissociative disorders. She is the author of 'Trauma and Dissociation Informed Internal Family Systems,' the definitive text on using IFS with dissociative disorders, which integrates knowledge from the trauma and dissociation field into the IFS framework to help clinicians treat clients safely, respectfully, ethically, and successfully. The book was recognized with the 2025 ISSTD Frank Putnam Award for an outstanding book that significantly contributes to knowledge and understanding in the field of trauma and dissociation.

Joanne holds a rare combination of advanced credentials: she is an IFS Certified Therapist, an Approved EMDR Consultant through EMDRIA, and an Approved Consultant through the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH). She is also a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) and a Past President of the New England Society for the Treatment of Trauma and Dissociation (NESTTD). She has written on topics including EMDR and Dissociative Disorders, EMDR and Internal Family Systems, IFS and Dissociative Disorders, and working with perpetrator introjects.

Widely recognized for her ability to bridge clinical expertise with practical teaching, Joanne has spent decades mentoring therapists, presenting at conferences, and consulting with professionals seeking to deepen their work with complex trauma and dissociation. Her mission is to equip clinicians with the knowledge and confidence to work effectively with C-PTSD and dissociative disorders, advancing best practices through training, consultation, and writing, while fostering collaborative learning communities where clinicians feel both supported and challenged to grow.

Specialties

Depth orientation

Integrates IFS with the complex trauma and dissociation field — including EMDR, clinical hypnosis, and structural dissociation theory. Past president of the New England Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. Her work bridges IFS with the most difficult clinical territory: dissociative identity disorder, complex PTSD, and perpetrator introjects.

Twombly’s approach Preparing for a first session with Twombly
For clinicians and organizations

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