Academic Affiliation
Department of Psychology, University of Oslo; Research Institute at Modum Bad.
Research project
PhD Project: Living with Dissociative Disorder: Experiences of Treatment and Change. This qualitative research project seeks to understand the factors leading to change and improvement for individuals with complex dissociative disorders (CDD). There is limited research on therapy outcomes and the factors contributing to change for individuals with dissociative disorders. From clinical experience, it is known that changes may not always be reflected in general symptom assessments, even when patients report significant benefits in interviews. In this project, we delve into the experiences of individuals with complex dissociative disorders participating in a 20-week psychoeducative group treatment. Twenty-six individuals have been interviewed six months and two years after participation. We aim to identify trends in those who benefit most and least from such programs and study the change processes for participants from before treatment through a three-year period. The doctoral work is ongoing from 2022-2025.
Research interests
Trauma disorders in general and dissociative disorders in particular; Qualitative research; Understanding and treating dissociative disorders; Mechanisms of change; Sensorimotor treatment and various exposure therapies for trauma disorders.
Publications
Opsvik, Y. Ø., Holbæk, I., Arefjord, K., & Hjeltnes, A. (2022). The challenge of being present with yourself: Exploring the lived experience of individuals with complex dissociative disorders. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 6(2), 100250. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejtd.2021.100250
- Holbæk, I. (2014). Inner Collaboration – Phase-oriented Work with Dissociative Disorders. In Anstorp, T. & Benum, K. (Eds.), Trauma Treatment in Practice. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget.
- Holbæk, I. (2014). How Can We Create Movement in Frozen Grief? In Ansptorp, T. & Benum, K. (Eds.), Trauma Treatment in Practice. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget.
- Holbæk, I. (Ed.) (2014). Back to the Present. A Manual for Coping with Trauma Reactions. Vikersund: Modum Bad.
- Øverby, G-E. & Holbæk, I. (2021). Strengthening Grounding in the Present. In Hagen, M.B. (Ed.), Trauma-Informed Care in Mental Health Work – From an Attachment Theoretical Perspective. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget.
Project Leader for the Translation from English to Norwegian of the Book:
- Boon, S., Steele, K. & van der Hart, O. (2011). Coping With Trauma-Related Dissociation: Skills Training For Patients and Therapists. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
- Boon, S., Steele, K. & van der Hart, O. (Ed.) (2014). Trauma-Related Dissociation. Skill Training for Patients and Therapists. Vikersund: Modum Bad.
Additional Resources:
- Podcast: Dissociation with Ingunn Holbæk and Inger Eggen
- Video: What is Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders – Ingunn Holbæk provides a brief introduction on the Norwegian Psychological Association’s website.
More publications:
List of all publications from Modum Bad
International Collaborators
- Suzette Boon, Netherlands
Project team
- Margrethe Seeger Halvorsen (Supervisor, University of Oslo)
- KariAnne Vrabel (Co-supervisor, Research Director at Modum Bad)
Researchers studying trauma disorder at Modum Bad:
Harald Bækkelund, Ph.D.
Part-time senior researcher, Clinical psychologist
Head of Research at NKVTS, Section for Implementation and treatment research
