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Voice Dialogue
Voice Dialogue is a talk-based therapy which promotes identification, awareness and integration of the different aspects of ourselves which make up our sub-personalities. We usually only maintain daily awareness of those parts of our personality which we believe make us acceptable – our 'primary selves'. Other parts: our 'disowned selves' are suppressed. Each sub-personality holds emotional energy and some unspoken needs that we have as individuals. They also hold mistaken and/or internalised beliefs. These silent beliefs and unheard needs can severely limit our capacity to grow and live life fully.
Therapy begins by clarifying the presenting problem with the therapist, and establishing which aspects of one's personality might be playing a part. Those aspects are each given a name. For example the problem might be a lack of energy or feeling flat. 'Subs' involved, might be the ones who are associated with health or with being responsible, or one involved with enjoying life/having fun. They might be named Illnia, Stickleback and Yippo. (real names are also okay)
The therapist will ask which ‘sub’ wants to go first. The client might perceive the issue as a health problem so he/she might feel comfortable presenting Illnia first. Illnia is then asked which part of the room feels most appropriate for her and is invited to move the client chair there. The therapist then interviews the client as Illnia. The client speaks only from the viewpoint of this sub-personality during this interview, discussing the issues, feelings and beliefs which Illnia holds both generally and about the problem being addressed. Each 'sub' is also invited to reveal thoughts, feelings and details of his/her relationship with the others. It can be quite surprising to find the level of ambiguity or internal conflicts which we can hold unconsciously. Illnia might be asked if she has anything to add, be thanked for her contribution and be asked to return the chair to the original position.
The client then discusses what has transpired in the interview with sup-personality, Illnia. Then the process resumes with Stickleback and Yippo, followed by discussion with the client and time for reflection and integration. Though this sort of role-play may seem awkward at first, it becomes easy quite quickly – almost as though these aspects of ourself have been crying out to be heard! It can be disconcerting to realise how many feelings and beliefs we have been unaware of holding.
Note that sub-personalities are part and parcel of normal psychological function and are markedly different from dissociated identity processes in degree, accessibility, amenability to change and need for medical interventions.
Voice Dialogue practitioners don't have a central register, though many are registered psychologists and experienced therapists.
More info from Robin and Paul Gale-Baker 03 9489 9110 or
website: voicedialogue.net.au
or Voice Dialogue International: www.voicedialogue.org
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