Natural Inner Voices / Sub-personalities

In psychological terms, the inner critic is a sub-personality within our ego (the part responsible for our sense of personal identity). The ego has many sub-personalities, and the inner critic is one of the most vocal ones in HSPs.

The inner conflict has its own voices. Instead of wondering “What is keeping you from getting a job?” try “Who inside of you is keeping you from getting a job?” Speaking of parts reduces shame. Sometimes the patient can actually give that part a voice. The therapist may imagine what that part would say and wait for the patient, or rather that part of the patient, to correct them. They might try, “I suppose it would tell us that it’s afraid.” The stuck part of the patient may respond with “just wants to be taken care of.”