Jenny Q

“Here are two examples of emotional self-disclosure that are fundamental tools of my therapeutic work. I repeatedly express my genuine indignation that the survivor was taught to hate himself. Over time, this often awakens the survivor's instinct to also feel incensed about this travesty. This then empowers him to begin standing up to the inner critic. This in turn aids him to emotionally invest in the multidimensional work of building healthy self advocacy. Furthermore, I also repeatedly respond with empathy and compassion to the survivor's suffering. With time, this typically helps to awaken the recoveries capacity for self-empathy. She then gradually learns to comfort herself when she is in a flashback or otherwise painful life situation. Less and less often does she surrender to an inner torture of self-hate, self-disappointment, and self-abandonment.”
― Pete Walker, Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving