This is a small but very powerful exercise you can do in a ‘group’ setting, like a self-help group and within a DID system.
Start with one person or part and ask:
What is something you really need to hear right now?
It could be any kind of encouragement. Some need to hear that they are a good enough parent, others need to hear that they are welcome or that they are smart and capable.
Let them form a sentence that expresses exactly what they need to hear.
Then let the whole group say the sentence together while the person or part listens.
It is pretty much irrelevant if you or others in the group believe that the sentence is true or not and if you even know anything about the situation. This is all about meeting a person’s needs, just because you can. Just say it with kindness in your heart.
Check in with the person or part to see if that sounded about right or if they want to change something. If it did, let the group repeat the sentence. Repeat it as often as needed. Pay attention to the reaction it causes to see when the person or part can really accept it and take it in.
Write the sentence down for them so they can take it back home or keep it close.
Then ask if anyone else in the group wants to participate and share something they need to hear.
I have seen this exercise change lives. It seems so small. But it really makes a difference to hear things from other people or parts, to have the support of a group and encouragement that exactly meets our needs. If you use this for DID the sentences will reveal important needs you might not have been aware of. This is also a chance to be kind to your front people, they are probably super stressed.
Leave a Reply