Sometimes the negative emotions that fuel relapse are rooted not only in current challenges and suffering but also in past traumas that have never been resolved.
Some people come to therapy to work through these traumas. I personally prefer using a method called Lifespan Integration in order to ease and lift those burdens. Another method that has been shown by research to be quite effective is writing. Here is an assignment I used with some clients. It was crafted by James Pennebaker and can really foster a powerful healing experience. Try it out and let us know what you find.
"For the next 4 days, I would like you to write your very deepest thoughts and feelings about the most traumatic experience of your entire life or an extremely important emotional issue that has affected you and your life. In your writing, I’d like you to really let go and explore your deepest emotions and thoughts. You might tie your topic to your relationships with others, including parents, lovers, friends or relatives; to your past, your present or your future; or to who you have been, who you would like to be or who you are now. You may write about the same general issues or experiences on all days of writing or about different topics each day. All of your writing will be completely confidential. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar or sentence structure. The only rule is that once you begin writing, you continue until the time is up."
