La vie biologique comme la vie psychique sont soumises à la loi de l’homéostasie. Cette loi postule que les systèmes qu’ils soient biologiques ou psychiques, cherchent à revenir à l’équilibre lorsque celui-ci est perturbé. Ainsi le taux dans le sang de glucose revient-il toujours 1 g/L, quelques temps après que l’ingestion d’aliments l’ait fait augmenter. De la même façon les différentes composantes de la vie psychique (appelées parts dans le modèle IFS) tendent-elles à réagir à la suite d’un évènement, pour réguler son impact ou mettre en place des modes dits de survie. Les expressions suivantes désignent des mécanismes précis que les parts mettent en oeuvre dans ce cadre.
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.
La façon d’appréhender le monde psychique du modèle Intelligence Relationnelle® intègre la dimension neurobiologique et tout particulièrement la mise en jeu du système nerveux autonome (SNA). L’état dans lequel se trouve le SNA conditionne la vie des parts qui lui même sous-tend le récit psychologique. Dans cette perspective la mise en jeu de l’homéostasie passe par des mécanismes de régulation/dérégulation du SNA. La correction des différents types de dérégulation du SNA permet aux différents acteurs de la vie psychique de tendre rapidement vers un retour à l’équilibre premier en désamorçant les coalitions et polarisations.
Cet article s’est inspiré de l’ouvrage ci-après : Le Doze, François, and Christian Krumb. The power of trust: a therapy for unification. Paris: © O. Jacob, 2015.
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