Psychosynthesis, developed by Roberto Assagioli, is a transpersonal psychology that seeks to integrate different aspects of the human experience, including the psychological and spiritual. It views the inner critic not as a singular entity but as a subpersonality — a part of ourselves that has its own goals, perspectives, and behaviors.
In the psychosynthesis approach to working with the inner critic, the goal is to recognize, understand, and harmonize this subpersonality with the rest of the self. It is about creating a relationship with the inner critic rather than trying to silence or eliminate it.
- Recognition: The first step involves identifying the inner critic’s voice, understanding its patterns, triggers, and the specific kind of self-criticisms it levies. This can be done through introspection, journaling, or guided self-inquiry during therapy sessions.
- Understanding: Once the inner critic has been identified, the next step is to understand its origins and intentions. Often, the inner critic forms as a protective mechanism during childhood, internalizing external criticisms in an attempt to avoid pain or punishment. Through exploration, clients can gain insight into the critic’s purpose and its misguided attempts to protect the self.
- Dialogue: Engaging in an internal dialogue with the inner critic can help uncover its needs and fears. This can be facilitated by various techniques such as chair work, where the client physically moves between chairs representing different parts of themselves (e.g., the inner critic and the vulnerable self), encouraging a conversation between these parts.
- Integration: The final step involves integrating the inner critic into the self-system. The client learns to appreciate the critic’s protective intent, while also setting boundaries and developing a healthier relationship with it. This might involve transforming the inner critic into an ‘inner advisor’ that supports personal growth rather than inhibiting it.
In this way, the psychosynthesis approach fosters a deeper understanding of the inner critic, encouraging compassion towards it, and integrating it into a holistic sense of self. By recognizing and working with the inner critic, individuals can harness its energy for personal growth, creating a more balanced and harmonious self.