Imaginal resources can be extremely helpful in providing support and strength during the therapeutic process.
Some find it helpful to identify “nurturing figures” as resources during EMDR processing. These “inner allies” can be real or imaginary figures (human or animal) in the present or past that serve as “inner guides” in facilitating self compassion.
These resources can be people or figures from our past that have been nurturing, compassionate, and safe. They have allowed us to be seen and understood. They facilitate healthy growth and give us strength.
Nurturing figures can be from movies, tv, books, historical figures, or people from pop culture. (For example, some people feel a strong sense of nurturing when they think of Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird).
They can be spiritual figures such as Jesus, Buddha, or the Dalai Lama.
In order to get a strong sense of nurturing we need someone that doesn’t come with additional negative baggage. For example, we may have someone in mind that has been helpful in some ways but hurtful in others. If a particular figure is associated with harm we may want to choose another figure that doesn’t carry any negative associations.
Animals can also be valuable resource for nurturing. Many people choose their pets as examples of unconditional love. Also, some people find that certain animals, just in general, retain a strong sense of strength or nurturing. Some even choose imaginary creatures, such as a dragon or Hippogriff (from Harry Potter). t really can be anyone or anything that has nourishing, nurturing qualities.
Exercise: Compile a list of nurturing figures.
Start by thinking of a figures you associate with nurturance. Remember, this could be a person or animal, real or imagined. They could be from real life or a book or movie. When you can picture them take a moment of mindfulness to feel the nurturing quality in your body. What do you see, hear, smell, feel?
Prepare the list in preparation to bring strength and support to the therapeutic process.
When you have a strong sense of a nurturing figure we have the option to use BLS to enhance this resource in session.
Note: This same kind of resource building template can also be used for "Protector" figures, "Wisdom" figures, or even creating a sense of a "healthy adult self" and/or "inner wisdom" figures.
If you'd like to watch a video I created using imagery from the Harry Potter movies to illustrate how we can use positive memory networks as mental and emotional resources in our therapy work, you can click here:
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