Most of us have different aspects, "parts," or "ego states" of ourselves—the silly and imaginative five-year-old part, for example, or the depressed, anxious, or angry adolescent—which manifest as particular moods, behaviors, and reactions depending on the demands of our external and internal environments. "Ego state therapy" refers to a powerful, flexible therapy that helps clients integrate and reconcile these distinct aspects of themselves.
This book offers a grab bag of ego state interventions—simple, practical techniques for a range of client issues—that any therapist can incorporate in his or her practice. In her characteristic wise, compassionate, and user-friendly writing style, Robin Shapiro explains what ego states are, how to access them in clients, and how to use them for a variety of treatment issues. After covering foundational interventions for accessing positive adult states, creating internal caregivers, and working with infant and child states in Part I: Getting Started With Ego State Work, Shapiro walks listeners step-by-step through a variety of specific interventions for specific problems, each ready for immediate application with clients. Part II: Problem-Specific Interventions includes chapters devoted to working with trauma, relationship challenges, personality disorders, suicidal ideation, and more.
