A strange thing that I'm starting to discover in myself is this....

I, too, have an internal critic that bashes me quite frequently.....T is trying to help me see that I have somehow internalized others voices, ones that berated me when I was growing up, etc. There's some validity to that.

BUT, there's this other voice.....a critical voice that seems to be shielding me, protecting me. The voice that says that I am unlovable, ugly, worthless...at times is helping me not take risks in life....The real issue is that I'm scared. I'm scared to death of being rejected, of being hurt again, of feeling shame and humiliation, etc. Instead of facing those feelings and fears, I listen to that critical voice - to mask those other feelings - so I shut down and not take risks.

Not sure if you can relate to that, but I just wanted to put it out there in case it's helpful...