125. Stage 2 Series: Accessing and Sharing the Negative View of Self-Important Component of Restructuring the Bond

Welcome to the Leading Edge in Emotionally Focused Therapy, hosted by Drs. James Hawkins, Ph.D., LPC, and Ryan Rana, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC—Renowned ICEEFT Therapists, Supervisors, and Trainers. We're thrilled to have you with us. We believe this podcast, a valuable resource, will empower you to push the boundaries in your work, helping individuals and couples connect more deeply with themselves and each other.

The episode focuses on working with the negative view of self in Stage Two of EFT therapy, exploring the deep, vulnerable process of helping clients confront and share their most painful self-perceptions.

Main Points:
1. Negative View of Self Characteristics:
- Goes beyond just emotions
- Represents core identity messages
- Often rooted in past traumas and attachment injuries
- Involves believing fundamental negative things about oneself

2. Stage Two Therapeutic Approach:
- Linger and excavate the deepest negative self-messages
- Use enactments to reveal core identity beliefs
- Help clients share their most vulnerable self-perceptions
- Create opportunities for partner acceptance

3. Key Therapeutic Strategies:
- Slow, careful exploration of negative self-view
- Validate and reflect deeply
- Allow partners to provide compassionate, attuned responses
- Avoid rushing or trying to immediately "fix" negative beliefs

4. Goals:
- Help clients reveal their most painful self-perceptions
- Create space for partner acceptance
- Gradually restructure negative self-beliefs
- Support healing from past relational wounds

The episode emphasizes that working with a negative view of self is a profound, delicate process requiring patience, depth, and compassionate therapeutic skill.

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