Posted by Tamar on September 19, 2005, at 16:53:49
In reply to Therapy and Inner children, posted by cricket on September 19, 2005, at 8:39:16
Thanks for this thread, cricket. It’s made me think about some of my experiences in therapy that I couldn’t quite figure out.
> So I was wondering what the different experiences really are?
>
> Do you go to therapy with the idea that an inner child is going to speak?That wasn’t my experience.
> Or does it just happen spontaneously?
Yeah, spontaneously. When I think back, it happened in my very first session, though I didn’t realise what was going on at all. I suddenly felt as if I was about fifteen. I don’t know if it was an inner child thing or whether a word like regression describes it better. I’m not sure… It’s something I’m thinking about.
> Do you actually let them speak?
I didn’t entirely realise it was not ‘my voice’, but on reflection it definitely wasn’t the 35 year-old ‘me’ that was speaking. So I guess I didn’t try to prevent it.
> Is it in a kid's voice?
>
> Or do they speak in your head and you translate?I haven’t had that experience in therapy but I’ve had something like that experience outside therapy (whatever it is; I’ve never translated for anyone).
> How does your therapist react?
The few times it happened I didn’t know what was going on, so I don’t know whether he realised. Probably; he’s the professional! He stayed calm and replied on the level at which I was talking (if that makes sense).
> Is she/he caring?
Yes, he was.
> Does your therapist talk in an age appropriate way?Yes.
> Or does your therapist talk the same as he does to adult you?
Not quite. But somehow it felt as if he led me through that particular discussion and brought me back into my ‘usual’ self.
> Do all your inner children like your therapist?
Yes.
> How do you feel when your therapist spends a session interacting with one of the kids?
Understood.
> Do you ever feel like your therapist takes their side over yours?
That never happened to me.
> Do you kids talk to you outside of therapy?
Sometimes, but it’s not easy to describe.
> If so, do they talk about your therapist?
Not so far, but I’m curious to know whether that discussion could happen.
> Lots of questions.
Very good questions! Thanks, cricket!
Tamar
poster:Tamar
thread:556772
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050912/msgs/556913.html