Abstract
Lifespan integration (LI) is a recent psychotherapy, developed in 2002 by Peggy Pace. Its main focus is to treat trauma and dissociative disorders. Repetitions of the LI time line seem to promote the development of a feeling of integration in the patient, allowing the patient to build a more solid central self. This qualitative study aimed to explore, from the LI therapists’ points of view, the feeling of integration, which results from LI. Fourteen certified or pre-certified LI therapists were recruited within the French-speaking Association of Lifespan Integration. These therapists took part in a semi-structured interview exploring their perceptions and understanding about LI and the feeling of integration. A general inductive approach was chosen to capture therapists’ representations. Results showed that, according to therapists, LI therapy facilitates one’s connection to his/her experience, improves emotional regulation, and increases the general sense of well-being associated with self-acceptance. These changes are related to repetitions of the LI time line and the therapist’s attunement to the patient. In addition, the results indicate that this feeling of integration corresponds to a new state of connection to one’s identity and one’s experience. Therapists in this study reported that repetitions of the LI time line integrated the patient’s history into a continuum, strengthening psychological bases such as safety and individuation, giving meaning to the lived experiences/life story, and increasing self-confidence. This study provides a better understanding of the feeling of integration resulting from LI therapy. Further studies should explore the patients’ experience in LI and try to measure feeling of integration during LI psychotherapy.
Authors: Sami Rejil , Joanna Smith, Manon Dubourg , Aurelie Untas