myself--each of my alters is talked to and treated like a person who has a story to tell and has never been listened to. no judging, no planting memories, just supportive listening and then working on the feelings that the alter carries. i'm hoping that vicki will work out the anger and learn to cry freely. i hope that deedee will stop hiding when she feels scared and threatend and feel safe enough to talk about what she is scared about. and so on for all my insiders. such progress has been made with vicki who not too long ago wanted to harm herself and die somehow. she has been supported here and in T in such a way that she is coming out and being more positive and supportive of others. i'm not saying she is 100% not even 25%--she has a long way to go, but the support and the gentle encouraging of the others here has really helped.
i guess i don't really understand the academic approach to this. it really seems it separates out the real deep down feeling and relating to others and makes it so minute compared to research and the "truth".
by the way, santa, easter bunny and tooth fairy are REAL. even if it is in a child's mind.
w_i