The Relational Intelligence® model

Relational Intelligence® is a therapeutic modality based on the relational dynamics between the patient and his or her therapist, and within the patient him- or herself, to resolve the patient’s inner conflicts and relational difficulties. It is used to treat not only complex psychological traumas, but also the pre-existing attachment disorders that are very often associated with trauma.

Relational Intelligence® draws on recent neuroscience data on attachment and neuroplasticity in the therapeutic process.

Relational Intelligence® provides a theoretical and practical framework in which the whole spectrum of attachment disorders and complex traumas can be treated through the flexible and appropriate use of co-regulation and self-regulation.

This model is intended for mental health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, psychopraticians), individual support in a transformative approach (coaches, mediators, pedagogues, marriage counsellors, teachers, educators, etc.), people in human resource management situations, professionals in the helping relationship, and people who are reconverting to one of these professions.

The two pillars of the model

Creating the conditions for self-regulation

Working with the parts and the Self

The Internal Family Systems (IFS) model constitutes both the psychotherapeutic basis and the reference framework for Relational Intelligence®: releasing the Self by relaxing constraints, bringing the Self into play as the primary therapist, unblending of the parts in relation to the Self, systemic work, and unburdening through memory reconsolidation.

Creating the conditions for coregulation

Intersubjectivity

through the creation of a relational space between therapist and patient that is both verbal and physical;
par la mobilisation de compétences dites de « métacognition », through the application of "metacognitive" skills, which make the implicit explicit in the relational space, for both the therapist and the patient;
by allowing the parts that are stuck, in the case of an attachment disorder, to have the only possible experience of the Self at the beginning of therapy: an indirect experience;
by affording the wounded parts access to the resources that will meet their vital needs (the role of "secure attachment").

The skills developed are based on data from polyvagal theory which provides a neurobiological reading of attachment and its disorders.

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