Dissociative Effect is a reflection on several common narratives of girlhood as well as the author's own journey to a more embodied self. In the introduction, Dr. Redmer reminds us that humans have evolved to "think in stories, to talk in stories, to narrate an unfolding autobiography to ourselves in stories . . ." She reminds us that the narrative process is a template for healing as our narrative lives can be rewritten, retold, restoried. The "dissociative effect" is a reference to the anesthetic ketamine and the distance one can sometimes feel from living an embodied, authentic life. It is also a testimonial to the perspective tha is a necessary part of healing and the wisdom that can come from aging. Dr. Redmer uses Dissociative Effect as her own blueprint for healing, exposing lessons learned when one looks deeply at the difficulties encountered in living a life. She writes, "I opened you up to me. And there/in the radiance of darkness/were the seeds for a deserving life." The topics covered in this manuscript are universal, and many readers will connect deeply with this content.