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Parks Inner Child Therapy is a flexible structure and to
start with it usually follows these steps:
- At first you will be given the opportunity to explain
the circumstances which have brought you to therapy.
- Then you will be invited to describe exactly what you
wish to achieve in therapy. Within PICT this is called setting
the Well Formed Outcome. It establishes your desired outcome
in a way which will help you measure progress during therapy
and to know when you have achieved a satisfactory goal.
The Well Formed Outcome also helps identify information
which could hinder your progress.
- Next you will be asked for a list of problems that you
wish to be rid of, and in some cases a memory list of the
worst and most significant memories from childhood.
- After this the therapist will explain how we create our
personal reality through our beliefs and the way we apply
them. You will be given handouts to assist you understand
this and how it has resulted in the restrictions you experience
in life.
- Once these steps are complete therapy commences and this
consists of visualisation techniques and occasional written
work, which is usually done as homework.
When some people hear the word 'visualisation'
they worry that perhaps they can't do it very well and so
the therapy might not work for them. It is important to keep
in mind that visualisation is done differently by everyone.
Some people see clear and precise pictures in their minds
eye while others have a vague idea of what it would look like
if they could actually see something. It does not matter how
you visualise - clear, fuzzy or with vague impressions - the
tools work equally well with everyone.
You will be asked to follow a specific, although flexible,
structure to create the desired result. This
means that your time will be mainly focused on utilising the
visualisation tools that create change rather than long discussions
about past events. You will be expected to follow the steps
in the visualisation structures and be ready and willing to
offer information, support and love to your 'younger self'.
Failure, mistakes, wobbles, blocks, despair, anger, fear,
etc. are very important moments of feedback in therapy. It
is at those times that you know you are close to important
issues and all such times are opportunities. Therefore, it
is important for you to be honest - it will not be useful
to say things because you think it would please the therapist
or because you feel that you 'should'. Honest feedback is
needed to give you the best service and you need to give honest
feedback to receive the service you are paying for.
If you wish, it is permissible to have a friend or partner
sit through the therapy week with you. There will be time
at the end of each session for any questions the friend or
partner may have but they must agree to remain silent during
the rest of the session.
You will feel emotionally uplifted at the end of each session,
but you may feel physically tired and it is recommended that
you not schedule any strenuous activity in the afternoon or
evening. |