Process Oriented Psychology or Process Work
Here are some basic terms and explanations that are used in Process Psychology Work.
Process Oriented Psychology Terminology
Process Work follows what is happening and brings it into awareness. This applies to whether you are working with depression, anxiety, marriage problems, conflict resolution, bereavement etc.
- Process is the flow of experience and how the experience changes via the flow of information signals in different channels.
- The Primary Process is the experiences you identify with, and are familiar with and accepted by you. Eg. I am the facilitator of this group.
- The Secondary Process disturbs your focus and identity and is marginalized as "other". eg. You say, 'that is not me. I don't do that.'
Your 'primary process', who you think you are, or what you are identified with, will convince you that anything 'outside of that' is a problem to be solved. In Process Work, we think that what we are aware of or conscious of, is only the tip of the iceberg. There is 'the unknown', our 'dreaming process' trying to come more into awareness and in between the primary and the 'secondary' process, the thing further away from our awareness, there stand 'the edge'. It is the boundary at the edge of your identity.
The edge stops us from 'taking the next step', doing what we need to do next and around the edge are the edge figures that prevent us from either negotiating at the edge or going over the edge.
Signals
Signals are discrete pieces of information that can be identified and followed. A double signal is used to define a signal that can appear in any channel but does not go along with the primary content of one's intended message. Eg. I speak quite softly so my signal is quiet, but I am wearing a bright red T shirt. Or I am talking to you but I am looking at whoever comes into the room.
We all double signal most of the time, so don't give yourself a hard time if you catch yourself double signalling. Be curious, unfold the double signal. It's all just information to help you with your awareness. By unfolding double signals, we bring awareness to the secondary processes that are happening through the communication, that we are not aware of, eg, in conflicts, accusations, use of third parties. The double signals often disturb the primary process.
Channels
Channels are how we perceive through our senses. Notice what channel the signal is in eg. feeling, movement, auditory, visual, world, relationship.
Feedback
Feedback is not only given by what people say. Notice non verbal feedback, posture, body language, spaces between words, silences tone of voice, rhythm of speaking, volume of voice, physical distance, movement, what different parts of the body doing? Mood, atmospheres. Moods can be identified by eg. hopelessness, depression, excitement etc.
Is the feedback congruent?
Do all the parts of the person agree with what they are saying? How is the person responding to what you are saying.
Positive and negative feedback:
Someone says, 'I don't like that,' but they laugh. The laugher is actually positive feedback.
Edges
The edge is what separates the primary process (what we identify as) from the secondary process (the identity further away from our awareness, which we do not identify with). The edge often stops us from doing what we need to do.
An edge is often a limitation in awareness, for the boundary of your own identity and are found at the limits of the primary process. Your primary identity feels challenged, lost, confused and often fearful or excited, when faced with or negotiating an edge. The process over the edge is often difficult to accept.
Edges are also communication barriers: When someone speaks but is unable to complete what she or he is saying due to personal reasons or because of actual or felt group restrictions. It can be helpful to find out why it is hard to speak.
The purpose of identifying edges are not necessarily to go over them, although we may, but to discover as much as we can about them and to identify all the figures at the edge − called edge work. If we hurtle over edges without finding out this information, we often suffer from a backlash from a figure at the edge which has not been processed.
Ways of recognizing edges in yourself and others.
- Nervousness, excitement, changing the subject, getting fearful or scared, laughing, spacing out, hesitating.
- Someone says, 'oh, I couldn't possibly do that.' Or physical symptoms.
- Boredom, sleepiness, chaos, tension
- Switching channels
- Feeling stuck or not being able to follow what is happening
- Patterns recycle over and over again
Hotspots
These are strong emotional moments, sometimes when edges are around. When hot spots are not focused on, they can be the source of future escalations. Therefore, it is helpful to notice hot spots, to slow down, and go deeper into the feelings and to the deep essence behind them. Hot spots can be the doorway to deepening the process.
Consensus Reality
This is what is agreed upon by the majority of people as true. It is what is regarded as 'normal' and accepted by most people. Anything outside of this, is regarded as 'fringe' or at the edges of society. However what is often marginalized, over time, becomes the 'norm'.
Dreaming Level
This is not just night time dreams, but includes waking dreaming, emerging processes, imagination, potential that hasn't manifested yet on a consensus reality level, yet can be experienced. This level includes high and low dreaming, mood work and trance states. The high dream is the best that things can be. It is your highest hopes and aspirations. When we are in a high dream, we often cannot see the signals of a low dream happening. The low dream is the worst things can be and our greatest fears and doubts.
Sentient Level
The sentient essence is the deepest level, the almost wordless eternal quality, which is beyond duality.
If you wish to order a copy of this thesis about Psychology and Buddhism and Meditation, please email Sydney and Manly Counselling;
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Contact Sherry Marshall at Sydney Process Counselling & Therapy
if you have any questions or want more information please do not hesitate to email her
Phone 0411 155 091
Email: sherrymarshall9@aol.com
