At some points in therapy we may find it helpful to build and install a mental and emotional resource. This helps us:
• Develop and strengthen specific qualities or attributes needed for specific challenges;
• Increase access to adaptive memory networks;
• Increase our capacity to tolerate positive and negative affect; and,
• Strengthen our ability to shift from one state to another.
When building resources we are looking for things associated with positive feelings (confidence, competency, mastery, interest, excitement, enjoyment, pride, triumph) and other adaptive responses that you already possess but may be found in other memory networks than the specific one we are working on.
For example, it's an instructive exercise to ask yourself a question like:
"When you consider all the experiences of life---things you can taste, touch, hear, see, etc---what do you find life-enhancing?"
"Resourcing" around this question would invite us to notice what memories, images, and emotions come up and then to find ways to encorperate these positive memory networks into strengthening us in our day to day life.
As we work to build resources I would encourage you to allow your mind to ponder:
(1) what specific resource you are trying to build, and
(2) what type of resource you feel will work best.
I encourage you to trust your brain‘s ability to know where it needs to go with these questions. Once you have thought about these questions you and I can work together to enhance these resources in session.
(1) What Specific Resource Do You Feel You Need?
I find these questions helpful as I work on identifying my own resources:
What quality do you need (more of) as you work towards where you want to be (or, as you work to process this experience)?
When you think about this situation what qualities or strengths do you need?
What would you like to be able to do in this situation?
How would you like to be able to feel (about yourself) so that you can respond more effectively (in this situation)?
What would you like to believe about yourself in this situation?
(2) What Type of Resource do You Think Will Work for You?
Mastery
When using a mastery resource we use your own experiences from other memory networks than the one we are currently working on. We rely on previous coping responses to challenging situations or experiences associated with the positive attribute we want to develop. (For example: strength, self-compassion, confidence, competency, pride, triumph, etc).
It could even be a physical stance or movement that evokes the capacity to act the way you want to.
Can you remember a time when you embodied this quality?
If not in this situation, what other times in your life have you had access to that trait or attribute?
Relational
With relational Resources we are looking for positive role models who have demonstrated capacities you would like to incorporate into your life (such as courage, persistence, boundary setting, or truth telling, etc). Who are the people you have known or know who embody the quality you want to develop? This can be real life heroes or public figures; characters from stories, cartoons, movies, TV, etc.
This could also be memories or supportive others including caregivers, relatives, teachers, authority figures, religious figures, peers, or pets who have provided soothing, care, affection, protection, or other desired qualities.
Models
Have you seen this quality in others?
Think of people in your life who possess or embody this quality?
Who can serve as a role model for you?
Can you think of people who made a difference in your life by showing you you have other choices?
Supportive Figures
Think of who you would want in your corner, coaching you to do what is best for you, to think what is best for you, and helping you to feel better.
Think of any friends, relatives, teachers, or caregivers, animals or pets who encouraged or sustained you?
Think of a spiritual guide, someone who gives you hope or strength.
Symbolic
Symbolic resources include any animal or element from the natural world such as an eagle, a mountain stream, a rock or a tree that symbolizes a specific quality. These could also be religious, archetypal, totemic and transpersonal symbols.
It could be an image of a positive goal state or future self that represents the outcome of being successful at attaining their goal.
Further, it could be figures or symbols from dreams or imagination which express your capacity for adaptive functioning or inspiration.
Close your eyes (if you’d like) and allow an image (or symbol) to come to you that would help you embody your desired quality, help you believe what you need to believe, or feel what you need to feel.
The next step? Once you have identified what specific quality you are working towards and what type of resource will help you access that attribute you and I will work together in session to enhance that resource.
If you'd like to watch a little video I made using scenes from Harry Potter to review the ideas around "Resourcing" you can click on the link below:
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