When we find ourselves in the depths of pain,
it can be easy for our systems to feel overwhelmed.
In these moments,
of being broken open,
it can seem
as though we’ve lost connection to who we truly are.
We may feel untethered, abandoned, and as if a vital part of ourselves is missing.
Dispatching
In profound places of pain and distress, our psyche and soul sometimes draw in external forces as a means of support. These external influences are what Internal Family Systems refers to as "Unattached Burdens" or Shaman might call attachments.
Put simply an Unattached Burden is an element within the system that does not originate from within the system. For example, on one end of the spectrum this may be something as simple as absorbing the emotion (e.g. anger) from those around us to help us to feel empowered. At the other end of the spectrum this may be akin to what shamanic cultures call spirit possession, where more complex constellations of personas are absorbed into the system in an attempt to make it whole.
In response to grief, trauma, and loss these external forces may offer a sense of relief or stability in the moment. However, over time, these burden can drain our systems and obscure our path back to wholeness.
Through a compassionate and affirming process of reconnection—to self, soul, spirit, and inner wholeness—it becomes possible to release these burdens. By doing so, we reclaim our inner wisdom and rediscover the strength and clarity that has always resided within us.
Retrieving
Sometimes, instead of drawing external energies into the system for support, our psyche chooses another path: exiling feelings that are too overwhelming to process. This creates fierce boundaries and protections around the painful parts of ourselves. While these strategies may offer temporary stability, they often leave the system operating with reduced energy, a sense of unnamed and unknown loss, and, in some cases, can be experienced as disassociation.
To work with these conditions, it is essential to approach these protective mechanisms with deep respect, honouring the extraordinary work they’ve done to preserve the system’s sense of safety and equilibrium. Healing begins by gently engaging with the protective parts of the psyche, understanding their fears, and updating their awareness of the inner system’s current state.
These protectors are often frozen in time, locked at the moment of their creation. The process of healing involves “unfreezing” these protections, reclaiming the exiled emotions they guard, and reintegrating them into the system. This careful and compassionate retrieval brings the system back into balance, restoring vitality, connection, and wholeness.
Reconnecting
A central aspect of any healing journey involves the reintegration of the parts of ourselves that were exiled and the repair of any vulnerabilities that allowed external influences to take root within the system. This process is about restoring balance, wholeness, and integrity to the psyche.In Holotropic Breathwork, this transformative process is guided by what we call "The Inner Healer."
In Internal Family Systems, it is referred to as "the capital-S Self," and others may recognize it as the soul or core essence. Regardless of the terminology, the principle remains the same: every individual possesses an inherent capacity to heal.
This capacity emerges naturally when we cultivate awareness and trust in our innate potential for transformation.By tapping into this inner source of wisdom and healing, we awaken the ability to utilize and amplify our own internal resources. This not only fosters deep restoration and integration but also creates profound strength and resilience within our systems, allowing us to navigate life with greater depth, clarity, and empowerment.
What do these sessions look like?
Dispatching, retrieving, and reconnecting involve delving into our inner landscape and cultivating a deeper understanding of its underlying dynamics. This is accomplished by accessing light trance states and non-ordinary states of consciousness, allowing us to tap into our innate healing potential. These states are facilitated through a blend of conscious breathing, somatic awareness, guided visualization, and inner dialogue.
Sessions draw significant inspiration from the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, a parts-based approach to psychotherapy that emphasizes understanding and integrating the various "parts" of the psyche. At times, these sessions may also take on a shamanic quality, blending therapeutic principles with a deeper, more spiritual exploration of the self.
Participants often experience deep and embodied feelings of support and connection and often report feeling relief particularly after the release of unattached burdens.
Sessions are 80 minutes long and cost $240.
