Both biological and psychological life are subject to the law of homeostasis. This law postulates that systems, whether biological or psychological, seek to return to equilibrium when disturbed. In this way, blood glucose levels always return to 1 g/L, some time after they have been raised by the ingestion of food. In the same way, the various components of psychic life (called parts in the IFS model) tend to react to an event, to regulate its impact or set up so-called survival modes. The following expressions refer to specific mechanisms that the parts implement in this context.
Coalition (opposite polarization)
Some of our shares share the same objective, forming alliances to strengthen their role in protecting the individual. Joining forces enables them to gain influence within the system.
Unloading
Refers to the act by which an exile sheds his burden, or a protector his forced role. This stage in the healing process takes place after the injured party has been taken care of, with the aim of releasing as much of Self's energy as possible, thanks to the relationship of trust that has been established between him and her. Although this process involves mental imagery, it is not symbolic. Lived by the person on a physiological level, as a real experience, it is similar to a ritual, where the exile is invited to give his or her burden to an element (earth, water, air, fire...). It can be performed progressively, but more often than not, a single session is sufficient. It brings about lasting changes. Firstly, it enables the exile to recover his or her full integrity, and to be reintegrated by the person into his or her system, as a resource part. But this change also affects the protectors, who are in turn invited to unburden themselves of their forced roles, which have mostly become irrelevant. Once discharged, they in turn become resource shares.
Polarization (opposite of coalition)
This term refers to the oppositional relationship that links two parts within the person's system, or between the person (or parts of him/her) with another person (or his/her parts). This most often concerns two protectors, a manager and a fireman, but any part can enter into polarization with another. It's like trench warfare. Each side constantly observes the other, and the slightest incident is a pretext for scuffles. If polarization is left unchecked, it can lead to escalation, with each side using every possible means to gain influence over the other. The polarized protective parts often protect the same exile, but ignore it.
Preferred role - Forced role
Our parts are destined by nature to play roles in our lives, according to their dispositions, their sensitivity... These are the preferred roles. In certain circumstances, when a person's system is wounded by an external event, they are forced to abandon their natural roles and take on protective roles, known as forced roles. It's only when the exiles they protect are relieved of their burdens, that they can leave this role and return to their own. Sometimes they've been playing this role for so long that it's necessary to remind them that they didn't always do what they do, and to help them regain their natural inclination. For example, the critic reverts to being a wise and cautious advisor, the knowledge-hungry intellectual offers his curiosity and taste for research, the tireless firefighter offers his stamina and efficiency... These preferred roles constitute the resources of the parts, which they gradually put at the service of the rest of the system as the therapy progresses.
The Relational Intelligence model's approach to the psychic world® integrates the neurobiological dimension, particularly the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The state of the ANS conditions the life of the parts, which in turn underpins the psychological narrative. From this perspective, homeostasis is achieved through ANS regulation/deregulation mechanisms. Correcting the different types of ANS deregulation enables the various actors in the psychic life to move rapidly towards a return to the original equilibrium, by defusing coalitions and polarizations.
This article was inspired by the following book: Le Doze, François, and Christian Krumb. The power of trust: a therapy for unification. Paris: © O. Jacob, 2015.
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