Self as child exercise and script

With special thanks to Drs. Walser and Westrup. This exercise is minimally adapted from the following source: Walser, Robyn; Westrup, Darrah. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Trauma-Related Problems: A Practitioner’s Guide to Using Mindfulness and Acceptance Strategies . New Harbinger Publications. Kindle Edition.

In this exercise, caregivers experience a guided visualization in which they imagine asking for what they need from caregivers then also from their adult self and noticing how each adult responds to what they ask for. The self as child exercise can be used to increase openness and acceptance. This exercise can highlight how the adult was cared for by others, how they care for themselves, and parallels that may exist in their current caretaking of self and others.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

  • What did you make of what you observed?

  • Was there anything that you observed that made sense or felt familiar?

  • What did each of your caregivers offer you?

  • What could you offer yourself?

  • What surprised you?

  • What did you notice?

  • What did you need? 

  • How did loved ones respond? 

  • How did adult you respond?

TAKE HOME

Depending on the insights and reflections developed, this exercise can be the springboard for many suggestions or further steps such as: 

  • reflecting on what the caregiver learned about responding to suffering, 

  • ways they would like to parent the same or differently when their own child is in need,  

  • practicing listening to their child’s requests this week with both their ears and their heart

  • trying out new ways of responding or nurturing themselves when they need something this week

Kerry Makin-Byrd, PhD