Posted by Dinah on May 14, 2009, at 9:15:09
In reply to Releasing the pain, posted by blahblahblah on May 14, 2009, at 3:11:43
I think it's a slow process. I could barely name any emotions when I entered therapy, except ok and upset.
My understanding of the process is that your body and mind developed skills that helped protect you from the pain of your dysfunctional family. Now the skills are no longer working for you, but are keeping you from living the fullest life. It takes a while to honor the value that the skills gave you, while feeling, deep down, that it is safe to let those defenses slide.
I don't think you can force it, or rush it. But maybe you could do some visualization about it. I found that helpful. When I was someplace I felt safe, I pictured myself going deeper and deeper into my mind, opening doors, and inviting feelings to arise. Keeping in mind that it was safe now for me to do that.
For me, accepting who I was then, and in its time, it might have been good for me, but now it was no longer necessary. And helping myself feel safe so that I could invite those defenses to lower while thanking them for protecting me. Those things worked for me but they may not work for you. We're all different.
poster:Dinah
thread:895722
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090421/msgs/895750.html