[Ssigros]

My T wants me to write a narrative about an abusive memory in the form of me being a superhero. I'm suppose to give myself superpower(s) and tell how I survived it that way. I'm confused and overthinking this whole thing. I don't know what kind of powers to give a supposed supernatural version of myself. I thought I understood this until I sat down to write my narrative and now I'm drawing a complete blank because telling a story in this sense is not my strong suit.
Has anyone had this type of exercise given to them in therapy?

[LostOnTheTrail]

Hi,

I have never had such an exercise in therapy, but...you could start from what you would need to be able to navigate that situation safely. What 'powers' would you have needed to be able to get out of there intact? Think about the qualities you have that helped you survive, and magnify those...there you may find your 'superpowers'.

Take care!

[zoiecat]

My T encouraged me to do something similar when I started doing EMDR on my trauma. Some example ideas would be to have an invisibility cloak that you can wear to avoid the abuser. Or a cape or shield that fights off or prevents the abuser from touching you. Me personally, I imagine myself in a glass-like cone that appears as a ray of light from above. I can stay safe inside and no one can get through. It makes me feel safe.

Are you preparing for EMDR? I know that is a popular grounding technique in the prep phase.

[MoxieDoxie]

My x-T would have me go back into the trauma memory but this time that little me had adult me with her that would stand up to my abuser, pick me up, and take me out of the situation. It is along the lines of your adult self taking care of your traumatized child part or your adult self hugging and comforting your younger self. Sorry but this has never worked for me. Has this ever worked for anyone?

[Lostislost]

I've been given similar tasks before, but I don't understand the point of them. They are meant to change our brain and stop us from being re traumatised again and again with flashbacks, but it just makes me angry because I didn't have superpowers back then and I don't have them now.. so I don't want to pretend.

I haven't done any EMDR though so this may be different.

Fingers crossed It might work for you, as a writer and it does sound an interesting task if you look at it from a creative perspective.

[zoiecat]

I have had a LOT of trauma. My T says I am in his top 10. I say that as a preface to why it is taking me so long. I have been doing EMDR pretty regularly for about 3 years now and things are finally starting to change. As I said in my earlier post my cone shaped light shield seems to be able to calm me down when they are intrusively coming at me at the end of a session. At other times I co-ordinated with one of my tomboy alters. Finally in the last few sessions and nightmares, I am starting to stand up to my abusers myself. Granted I am not kid me at the time but it is a start.

I had a very difficult time in the beginning trying to find a safe place or a "helper" entity. It is hard to imagine something you have never experienced. I struggled from one thing to another until something finally stuck. Don't give up. It may not be easy but keep trying. It took me 3 years to start to feel the improvement. If it was easy we would have done it ourselves years ago.

[ArtieTheSequal]

I did something like this as therapy homework. Mine was to re-write my childhood as a Fairy Tale. Not totally the same but i did find it helpful.

[*Beth*]

Yes, this type of activity is helpful for me because it works with my very busy imagination. If I over-analyze and over-think it, however, it kills the purpose of the exercise.

It seems that the best way to do the "superhero" is to just start writing. Write anything and keep writing until what you're writing starts to take shape.

I think a pen and paper is easier and more effective to work with than typing it out.

[LostOnTheTrail]

I always find pen and paper are more effective for personal development related writing.