Discovering Personal Resources

Self Relations Therapy
During a self relations session, a conversation takes place in which a specific problem state becomes a focus to be explored from different perspectives. With the help and sponsorship of the guide and in an atmosphere of non-judgment, a client’s creative unconscious is liberated to emerge with its own understanding of the deeper meanings implicit in the given situation. In so doing, the problem state is no longer polarized in its negative expression and instead has a chance to exist within the spectrum of multiple understandings. This non-adversarial stance restores humanity to the problem state. It provides a place in which a client’s creative unconscious is free to find more positive expression, transforming the ‘problem’ into a resource for new possibilities and new life. As the client’s compassion for themselves and others involved is restored, new possibilities and ideas for resolutions have a chance to emerge. The session often concludes with a hypnotic induction to affirm a client’s new understandings and goals.

The Self Relational healing model was created by Stephen Gilligan, Ph.D., a psychologist who has spent many years exploring and building on the ideas of Milton Erickson, the father of American clinical hypnosis, and the anthropologist Gregory Bateson. For more on Self Relations please visit Stephen Gilligan’s website.