Four Types of Challenging Protectors with Chris Burris
Jun 19, 2021
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Chris Burris, Senior Lead Trainer for the IFS Institute, discusses engaging with clients' protective barriers in therapy, exploring the concept of protective parts and transition points in therapy. He delves into the complexities of 'runaway firefighters' as challenging protectors, emphasizing the therapist's role in navigating these parts effectively. Strategies for navigating challenging protectors in therapy and revolutionizing group therapy with Internal Family Systems are also explored.
Identifying challenging protectors in therapy involves recognizing self-like protectors through feedback from others.
Addressing harsh managers, like perfectionists, requires acknowledging their protective nature and encouraging supportive roles over fear-driven actions.
Deep dives
Understanding and Addressing Challenging Protectors in Therapy
Challenging protectors in therapy play a crucial role in safeguarding individuals from vulnerability and shame, both internally and in interpersonal relationships. These protectors operated by emphasizing self-like protectors, harsh managers, runaway firefighters, and involuntary protectors. Self-like protectors can be challenging to identify but can often be recognized through feedback from others, indicating the energy behind interactions. Harsh managers, including perfectionist and fear-driven protectors, lack trust in natural motivation and rely on fear to motivate actions. Runaway firefighters operate involuntarily, pursuing their own agenda, and can create challenges in therapy sessions. Involuntary protectors, triggered by the hint of danger, manifest numbing or dissociation.
Approaching Self-Like Protectors in Therapy
Recognizing and addressing self-like protectors involves understanding their agenda and impact on behavior. Feedback from others can help identify these protectors as they often influence interactions with others. Therapists should differentiate between self-like parts carrying an agenda and those motivated by healing and wholeness. Despite potential challenges, self-like protectors like thinking parts are valuable and should be viewed as aids in therapy rather than obstacles.
Managing the Inflexibility of Protective Parts
Protective parts become more inflexible over time, fearing that any change may lead to adverse consequences. These protectors, formed in response to past experiences, struggle to trust in shifts or changes due to deeply ingrained fears. The rigidity of these parts poses challenges for clinicians in reassuring them that addressing vulnerabilities and burdens will not result in catastrophic consequences. The unyielding nature of these parts often leads to perpetuating negative behavioral cycles.
Dealing with Harsh Managers in Therapy
Harsh managers, such as perfectionists and fear-driven protectors, undermine trust in natural motivation, relying on fear to drive actions. By acknowledging their protective nature, therapists can help clients understand that these managers aim to shield from perceived threats. Approaching harsh managers with appreciation for their intent to protect and encouraging their supportive rather than fear-driven role aids in the therapeutic process. Building trust in natural inspiration reduces reliance on fear-based motivation.
Chris Burris, LPC, LMFT is a Senior Lead Trainer for the IFS Institute. He has been an IFS Therapist since 1999 and is trained as a Marriage and Family Therapist. He uses mind/body approaches of therapy in alleviating traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety disorders. He works extensively with individuals and groups.
Since 1990 he has been very active with Men’s, Couples, Self Leadership Groups and Rites of Passage Programs. As the former Director of Counseling at The North Carolina School of the Arts, Chris has considerable experience with performance enhancement with Athletes, Artists, Actors, Filmmakers, Musicians, Writers, and Dancers. He is currently in Private Practice in Asheville, NC.
In addition to being a psychotherapist, Chris has trained in many nature based models with Animus Valley institute, School of Lost Borders, The Foundation for Shamanic Studies, and The Center for Conscious Eldering.
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