A Brilliant Adaptation
How Dissociative Identity Disorder & the Power of the Therapeutic Bond Saved Me
Coming January 2, 2026
A searing and profound memoir of one woman’s journey through dissociative identity disorder and childhood sexual abuse—and how she found hope, healing, and recovery.
Sally Maslansky is living the perfect life: a beautiful home in Malibu, California, a successful Hollywood producer husband who adores her, and a recently adopted son she treasures. But when Sally begins to remember the trauma she endured as a child, her world begins to unravel.
In this gripping and provocative memoir, psychotherapist Maslansky shares how childhood sexual abuse led her to develop dissociative identity disorder (DID), and how, with the help of renowned therapist Daniel J. Siegel, she ultimately recovers. The book reveals the power of therapeutic bond to heal deep attachment wounds, the science of neuroplasticity in healing the traumatized mind, and our capacity as human beings to reconcile unspeakable experiences in order to grow, change, and live vibrant, loving, and joyful lives against all odds.
Together with Siegel, Maslansky slowly recovers her childhood memories and reconnects with the forgotten parts of herself—parts that she grows to admire, respect, honor, and love, because they literally saved her young mind from unimaginable horrors. In the book, Siegel describes Maslansky’s DID as a brilliant adaptation of the mind—a protective force that kept her mentally safe when the people she should have trusted most were the ones responsible for her abuse.
Whether you have struggled with DID yourself, love someone who has DID, or are simply looking to be inspired by the tenacity of the human spirit, this memoir offers a provocative glimpse into an often pathologized and misunderstood condition, and shows the profound and healing possibilities of therapy, human understanding, and the will to survive.
EARLY READER RESPONSES
“…absolutely breathtaking memoir…you achieved the challenging and compelling feat of using words to powerfully convey the non-worded world of inner experience…It reads so painfully clear and deeply empowering; this will be of help and interest to so many…”
—Dr. Daniel J. Siegel, MD
“Your format is very important and suitable to ‘simplify’ something this complex…I really couldn’t put it down…Wow is all I can say. It has had a profound effect on me. I have never read anything of this nature that is so exhilaratingly informative even to a layman like me. And believe me, I’ve tried…This book has to get out to the world soon.”
—Fred Schepisi, Film Director & Screenwriter, A Cry in the Dark, Roxanne, Six Degrees of Separation, The Russia House
“An in depth with Dan by you who is so astute will be so popular…It’s also interesting and important to demystify therapy!!!!”
—Dr. Sue Smalley, PhD, Professor emerita in the Department of Psychiatry at UCLA, co-founder with Dr. Daniel J. Siegel of the Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) at UCLA, author of Fully Present: the science, art and practice of mindfulness
“…an extraordinary book… A mighty accomplishment. Brave. Smart and I am sure a significant resource for fellow therapists as well as for the non-professional reader.”
—Paul Maslansky, Iconic film and television producer
“Sally Maslansky’s biographical account, chronicling her therapeutic journey to comprehend and overcome the pervasive childhood trauma that led to her identity fragmentation, is truly inspirational. For survivors, Sally provides a sense of camaraderie, profound strategies, and insights, instilling hope for profound and embodied healing. Her description of her work with Dr. Dan Siegel serves as a masterclass for clinicians navigating and treating individuals with dissociative conditions and may even offer vicarious healing to those experiencing such challenges.”
—Dr. Mary-Anne Kate, PhD, Lecturer in Psychological Sciences, Southern Cross University, Australia