ABOUT IOPT
IoPT (Identity-oriented Psychotrauma Theory & Therapy) is a therapeutic approach and was developed by Prof Dr Franz Ruppert. IoPT is based on established trauma theories and Rupert's own research on trauma and constellation work. The therapeutic approach of IoPT lies on understanding and resolving the effects of both own and generational trauma on an individual’s identity (Read more about trauma).
More specifically, IoPT is used to address a wide range of psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, sexual abuse, addictions, diseases and various other symptoms of trauma. It is particularly focused on helping individuals understand the root causes of their difficulties by exploring the impact of trauma on their identity and wellbeing.
Central to IoPT is the concept of identity and how trauma (especially early childhood trauma) can cause parts of a person's psyche to become split off or fragmented (see illustration: split structure of the psyche). These fragments, referred to as “trauma parts”, carry the emotional pain and (body) memories of the traumatic events. IoPT seeks to reintegrate these trauma parts to help individuals regain a cohesive and authentic sense of self.
An important aspect of IoPT is its holistic approach, as it emphasizes the body-mind connection and can help individuals to release trauma that is stored in the body.
THERAPEUTIC SETTING
IoPT Therapy is a form of constellation work, where clients use resonators (other people or objects) to externalize and explore different parts of their psyche. This process, referred to as “self-encounter”, can help clients gain insights into their internal dynamics and how different parts of their psyche interact.
A self-encounter uses the intention method, where clients can explore a specific issue that they formulate as an intention, for example:
“I want to feel safe in my body”
“I want to heal my migraine”
“I can’t sleep at night”
“Why do I always sabotage my relationships?”
The intention can be a sentence, or just a few words, or may even be a drawing or a mixture of words and drawing.
Once a client (inquiring person) has written their intention, they can choose up to three elements (words and/or punctuation characters) to be resonated. In a 1:1 therapeutic setting, the client goes in self-resonance. In a group setting, the client can choose resonators (other people) who resonate with the respective elements and share what they sense and experience. During this process, clients can observe, connect with and understand their trauma & survival parts. In this way they can develop self-awareness, self-compassion and self-acceptance. As clients become aware of their fragmented parts and come in contact with the underlying emotional pain and bodily sensations, they can heal and integrate the effects of (early) trauma.
Are you interested in trying IoPT therapy? Contact me for a free 30min introduction call!
WHAT IS RESONANCE?
Limbic resonance is a term that describes the process through which the emotional states and physiological responses of individuals can synchronize or resonate with one another. This concept is rooted in the idea that the limbic system, a complex set of brain structures that supports emotion, behavior, and long-term memory, plays a crucial role in how humans connect and empathize with each other on an emotional level. More specifically, mirror neurons (a specific type of brain cells) enable individuals to empathize and intuitively understand others' emotional and physical states. Limbic resonance is supported by a growing body of research that demonstrates the neural mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.
In an IoPT self-encounter, resonators can access information from the client’s (inquiring person) unconscious through a combination of empathetic attunement (facilitated by mirror neurons and limbic resonance), connection to the collective unconscious, and engagement with a shared informational field. These mechanisms allow resonators to intuitively express the clients internal dynamics, emotional states and somatic sensations in relation to the underlying intention, i.e. the specific issue the client works through in the therapeutic setting.
WHAT IS TRAUMA?
Many people believe that trauma is only associated with extreme situations, such as major accidents, wars, natural disasters, or violent attacks.
“Trauma is not what happens to you. Trauma is what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you.”
Signs of trauma in adulthood may include:
Feeling depressed
Struggling with panic attacks or anxiety
Chronic illnesses, allergies
Being a people pleaser and overly concerned with others' opinions
Having difficulties maintaining committed relationships while also struggling with loneliness when being single
Feeling lost, lonely, or unhappy
Struggling with addictions (e.g. alcohol, drugs, TV, shopping, sex, gaming, gambling etc.)
ADHD
Feeling burnt out, overly exhaused, constantly overwhlemed, experiencing fatigue
Engaging in self-harming behavior (e.g., actively hurting yourself, self-rejecting thoughts, or self-destructive behavior)
Eating disorders
Suicidal thoughts or attempts
However, this view is far from accurate. Trauma, derived from the Greek word for "wound," refers to an unbearable experience of high emotional states, where we feel completely helpless, overwhelmed by fear and like we have no control over what happens to us. In the moment of traumatization, we don’t have the psychological resources available to regulate our experience and to protect ourselves, as fighting or escaping (flight) becomes impossible. In order to survive in this hyper-mobilized state, our body needs to use its emergency response and dissociate from that is happening. In this moment, the so called “freeze response” is activated where we emotionally and physically disconnect from the traumatic situation, and we may feel unable to move, speak, or to take any action. By dissociating and feeling numb or even paralyzed, our psyche protects us from the overwhelming emotions and sensations associated with the trauma, by making them less intense and less real. In this moment, also the psychological splitting happens, where the unbearable trauma experience is split off from our conscious (fragmentation of the psyche) and suppressed.
The younger we are, the more vulnerable we are to trauma because we have fewer resources available to self-regulate and protect ourselves. As a result, many people have experienced trauma without being aware it, partly because we often have no conscious memory of the events that caused it.
Examples of early childhood trauma may include:
Being unwanted (e.g., an unplanned pregnancy, or the mother considering or attempting abortion)
Being born the "wrong" sex (e.g., parents wanted a boy, but the baby is a girl)
Being a replacement child after the parents lost a baby, for example, through miscarriage
The mother experiencing high levels of stress, depression, violence, or anxiety during pregnancy
The mother consuming alcohol or drugs during pregnancy
Being conceived as a result of sexual abuse
Losing a parent, sibling, or close family member at a young age
Not feeling loved, valued, or seen as a child for who you truly are
Growing up in an unsafe household
Experiencing sexual abuse, psychological or physical violence, neglect
Being separated from the parent(s) for extended periods of time, such as during a hospital stay
Growing up with emotional unavailable and immature parents
