In working with the complexity of trauma many clinicians find themselves faced with dissociative clients who present with complicated internal systems which require ‘parts’ work. An understanding of the theory of Structural Dissociation of the Personality provides a framework for working with these complex clients. Furthermore, key therapies exist which provide a practical solution to both engage with clients in parts work and assist them with their integrative capacity and mental skills for full realisation of a traumatic past. The lack of cohesion and integration of the personality manifests itself most clearly in the alternation between and coexistence of the re-experience of traumatising events and avoidance of reminders of the traumatic experience with a focus on functioning in daily life. The use of Ego State Therapy based on Fraser’s Dissociative Table work is presented as a therapeutic in-road for working with dissociation and advancing complex trauma work. An understanding of working compassionately with dissociative clients assists in a later staged approach to trauma memory processing.