What is Integration?

Integration involves taking all the parts of the psyche and making them whole. It also refers to making an experience (such as a therapy session) a part of your daily life and way of being instead of an experience that is lost with time.

The Importance of Integrating An IFS Unburdening or Hypnotherapy Regression Session

Retrieving unknown or hidden parts of the self through IFS or Hypnotherapy, while often transformational, is not a magic pill. The rewiring of the brain and integration of changes is something you’ll want to continue to focus on in between sessions.

For instance, you may have heard the phrase “neurons that fire together wire together.” This is the reason we get stuck in old patterns and old ways of being. On the other hand, it is also the way we can make real change in our lives by creating and firing new neural pathways. When we engage in this process of integration, we not only integrate the changes internally and externally, we also maintain new neural networks. As a result, we support change permanently.

An Example of Integration

Let’s look at an example of integration. Jonny is a 30-something creative, introvert, who suffers from social anxiety. Through IFS or Hypnotherapy, he’s identified the root of his social anxiety was due to bullying at age 8 at the hands of his father. Johnny is able to find the lost 8-year-old part, witness that part, love it, heal it, and bring it back to the present moment (unfrozen and at peace). Johnny feels lighter and more confident in himself at the end of the session. If Johnny never thinks about this session again, this newfound feeling (and state of being) may wear off in a few weeks. However, if Johnny makes a conscious effort to integrate the session through the practices outlined below, he will find that the change “sticks.”

6 Ideas for Integration

1) Visit the part-One of the most beneficial ways to integrate a session is to go back and visit the part that had been lost every day for 2-4 weeks. You can do this by closing your eyes, visualizing or feeling the part where you last saw it, and seeing how it is doing. 

2)Try out the “new changes”-Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a situation where this part might have normally gotten triggered. See if you can move through this experience with your part now healed and showing up as a transformed version of itself (for example, whereas a part might have been self-conscious when meeting new people, this part is now able to display confidence). 

3) Listen to the Hypnotherapy script again and/ or record a voice memo detailing the experience

4)Request a “unburdened exile” suggestion Hypnotherapy script-If you like being guided through an experience, this may be a good option for integration. Just ask me about it!

5)Use A Journal-Write down the changes that occurred: burdens that were released (limiting beliefs or excess feelings) and the qualities you want to reintroduce and reinforce.

6)Use timed writing prompts for integration-a favorite of mine.

• What qualities does this part bring me now that it’s been unburdened.
• How will I show up in the world now that this part is healed.

Begin IFS or Hypnotherapy at Life Cycles Counseling in Richmond, VA

You don’t have to face your trauma alone. Our counselors in Richmond, VA are equipped with innovative techniques like Internal Family Systems, guided imagery, hypnotherapy, and storytelling, and provide a safe space for your healing. Your past can be transformed, your memories reconsolidated, and your future informed.

I take the scenic route when treating big emotions like anger, resentment, and grief/loss because there’s less opportunity for shame to enter the room. 

To get started at Life Cycles Counseling, follow these simple steps:

1. Contact Life Cycles Counseling
2. Learn about our creative and effective ways for rapid healing
3. Start healing, growing, and gaining confidence in a healthy way!

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