MODULE TWO – EMOTIONAL STABILIZATION: BECOMING A HERO

From the defensive “ego-states” of the “hurt child” to the “power forces” of an “inner hero”

Overview:

After Module One  we work with the client to discern, transform, and overcome his difficult emotions by screening the body. He learns to work with anger, rage, fear, shame, submission, (and self-criticism for teenagers / adults) which all are reactions of relationship wounds and can be felt and expressed bodywise. We use the techniques of body regulation of Module One as anchor and explore together different “ego-states” expressing, transforming and incorporating them. Instead of becoming “anger-monsters” or “submission-frogs” the child or teenager learns how to transform into a “superman” and other “hero”. This can be done by incorporating the “superpowers” of the positive psychology.

Goal is that the client gets body access to states of safety and self-regulation if he/she is flooded by fear, rage, pain (emotional or relational “flashbacks”). He/she should know his/her hurt “inner child” (the “little me”) and become able to protect and calm it. This follows along the “ladder of activation” (from “Freeze” to “Flight and Fight” to Safety and Autonomy).

When our client becomes a “hero” in situations of stress and can protect “the little me” in a successful way (instead of falling into “ego-states” of aggression, submission, dissociation, or self-critic) the second stabilization is obtained.

The story of “becoming an inner hero” and walking on the “hero’s journey” helps us to overcome “inner monsters” (rage) or “inner ghosts” (fear) und contain states of pain. A “hero” has helpers to stay calm, focused and successful. These are the traits and states of positive psychology like courage, endurance, empathy etc.) which we integrate again into the body. Finally we discover the seat of the “Witness-consciousness” (Dan Siegel’s “Wheel of Awareness”) in an incorporated way.