The DNMS is an ego state psychotherapy developed by Shirley Jean Schmidt, a psychotherapist in private practice in San Antonio, Texas. DNMS is only a few years old, but the concept of the segmentation of personality structure is not new.

History of Ego State Psychotherapy - 

The father of psychology, Freud discussed the segmentation of the personality. But it was later that other psychoanalysts, such as Federn, Kernberg, Jung, and Kohut elaborated on segmentation of ego states. Transactional Analysis (TA) popularized the concept of the segmentation of personality. Prior to DNMS, Helen and John Watkins taught ego state therapy at national conferences. I have been privileged to participate in training with the Watkins and then with Shirley Jean.

I should emphasize that the Watkins’ approach uses hypnosis as part of treatment, while DNMS does not. I appreciate that both the Watkins’ approach and the DNMS are much faster than the traditional psychoanalytic approaches, and therefore much more cost effective.

What happens with DNMS?

After a thorough intake, if we both decide to try DNMS, we establish three internal Resources: a Nurturing Adult Self, a Protective Adult Self, and a Spiritual Core Self – which together form a Healing Circle. These resources are in a sense, your most adult and effective traits, based on your personal history. They are you at those moments when you have been nurturing, protective, mature, etc.

We then work to determine your unmet attachment needs. As we determine the unmet needs, these the Resources (your traits, not just imagination) work in the here-and-now to meet unmet developmental needs.

One of the great innovations of DNMS is a way to focus on the healing of what are called “maladaptive introjects.” These are ego states from childhood that mimic abusive, neglectful, or dysfunctional caregivers, or perhaps bullies, older siblings—people who were at least in some way negligent or abusive. ( It may very well be that the abuse or neglect or bullying was unintentional and by even well-meaning people. ) You may be surprised at the relief and freedom which can come as these introjects are unstuck. For the first time, you may find that you are not telling yourself the same derogatory statements which you endured long ago.

Advantages of DNMS:
I like using the DNMS because it is very gentle. 
It focuses on attachment needs, which recently researchers have found key to personality development.  
DNMS because allows the person to process strong emotions.
DNMS utilizes emotions, which have been found to be so important in fueling change within a person. 
I believe DNMS also desensitizes traumas, and I appreciate that it can also be used along with EMDR. 
DNMS generally works quickly, as compared to other forms of therapy.