Lifespan Integration.
A gentle body-based therapy to help resolve many different problems, including anxiety, fears, unwanted behaviours, PTSD, cPTSD, and so on at 1066 Therapy; covering East Sussex, Battle, Hastings, Bexhill, Rye, Heathfield, Hailsham, Eastbourne, Crowborough, Brighton, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Ashford and Kent.
What is Lifespan Integration?
Firstly, I am pleased to announce that I became a Certified Lifespan Integration therapist in July 2019: you can see more about Certification here. Lifespan Integration (or LI) is a relatively new (2003), cutting-edge, therapy technique. A core global group of LI Consultants and Trainers regularly updates and refines this therapy model. Based on the neuroscientific findings of recent decades, we use the ‘body-mind’ connection to resolve past difficulties / unresolved emotional conflicts. These lingering difficulties cause our current problems of anxiety, fears, unwanted behaviours, PTSD, and so on. We have known for quite some time now that challenging, overwhelming, difficult, or traumatic experiences can cause long-term after-effects. This is especially when the events happen early on in life.
A single, significant event, can cause problems. More commonly, repeated overwhelming experiences that are not adequately supported afterwards cause later issues. Or it may be a combination of the two. Most of my clients have experienced the second and third type listed there: it is rare for them to experience just the first type. In order to resolve these after-effects we need to work with the original causes. The original causes are usually adverse and/or complex childhood experiences and occasionally adult trauma. These adverse experiences are very often under the ‘umbrella’ of Childhood Emotional Neglect. As a society, we are only beginning to recognise and understand this aspect relatively recently. However, LI enables our system to process and integrate the unresolved emotional conflicts no matter the causes.
How does it work?
I have adapted the following description of the therapy from the main Lifespan Integration website. If we decide to work through your problems using LI, I will send out a more comprehensive explanation before we start the therapy.
LI relies on the natural ability of the body-mind to heal itself. Lifespan Integration sometimes uses a psychological technique called an “affect bridge” to access a memory which is connected to the current problem. I guide the client to re-visit this past memory in their imagination. We then bring into the past whatever the client needs to resolve the memory. I will then lead the client through time to the present day. I do this by using a unique Timeline of memory cues from the client’s life. This Timeline of memories and images proves to the client’s body-mind system that time has passed and that life is different now. We experience this “proof” at a deeper level than is possible with commonly used cognitive behavioural, or other talk therapy methods.
Lifespan Integration is a gentle method which works on a deep neural level to change unhelpful behaviours, and (now) unnecessary defensive strategies. LI therapy helps people to connect their unpleasant feelings and unhelpful behaviour patterns with their (implicit) memories of past events. These feelings, strategies, and behaviours come from these unresolved experiences and emotions. Making these connections at a deep level of the body-mind “re-sets” the neural system in the brain. This makes it more in line with their current life situation.
After therapy
After LI therapy, people find themselves spontaneously reacting to current stressors in more age appropriate ways. As a result, clients have reported that they feel better about life. They are therefore more self-accepting, and are better able to enjoy their relationships.
I work with Lifespan Integration as a stand-alone therapy, tailoring the protocols to suit each client. I am currently working towards becoming a Consultant in LI. Please click here to view my entry on the LI website.
Call or text me now on 07722783490 to book your free 30 minute initial consultation.
