Imagery to shift perceived identity

 

Omega Sunrise II by Irargerich via Flickr

 

**Cassie came to therapy plagued by memories of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse from her childhood. She was in a good marriage now, had a sweet daughter, and many friends. Yet, Cassie continued to feel unworthy of anyone’s love.

When she was younger, Cassie’s step-father was very violent and often threatened her and her brother with a gun. Her mother constantly told her that she was “fat, lazy, and stupid.”  The only person that seemed to value Cassie was her grandfather. They’d go fishing every few weeks, and he’d call Cassie “his Sunshine.”  She never told her grandfather what was going on at home for fear she’d lose his love and respect too.

As Cassie and I addressed the traumatic memories from her childhood, I shared a beautiful metaphor with her that I learned from Dr. Jon Connelly. Cassie later told me that this metaphor was instrumental in her recovery, and I want to share it with you too.

First, I asked Cassie to close her eyes and imagine being out on the lake with her grandfather, hearing him call her “Sunshine.”  I asked her what she felt as she recalled this experience. Cassie said, “I feel warmth, peace, and love.”

I suggested that the experience of being with her grandfather drew her awareness to where she had warmth, peace, and love at her center. In fact, this light of warmth, peace, and love wasn’t just hers. It is her essence, who she really is deep inside, and it is with her all the time.

Cassie opened her eyes and tearfully smiled as she said, “I thought I was full of darkness. But now I realize you are right, I AM the Sunshine! My grandfather saw that in me. I am not those things my mom said about me. I am the Light and can chase old shadows away.” I teared up too as I watched her entire countenance change and she got up to give me a big hug.

Cassie is an avid gardener and now teaches troubled kids how to use gardening to heal and remember that they are the “Sunshine.”

**The name and identifying details have been changed in this story to protect privacy.

Courtney Armstrong is a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in trauma therapy. She has a private practice in Chattanooga, TN and also trains mental health professionals in creative ways to treat trauma. To contact Courtney, visit her website at www.courtneyarmstronglpc.com