I think I understand what the "part in the present" means

Hmm, I wonder if it has to do with how in many approaches, including IFS, therapists try to encourage prefrontal cortex activity when engaging with traumatic material. So being thoughtful, mindful, calm and caring, to the side of you that is in the midst of the feelings storm.

I don't think they would mean a specific dissociative part. After all, per system and per situation that would differ. Some parts can handle hearing and feeling about the experiences of part X, while other experiences are too painful for them and vice versa.

I'm glad my therapists have never used this term or assumed that there was a core.

fireheart wrote:Hmm, I wonder if it has to do with how in many approaches, including IFS, therapists try to encourage prefrontal cortex activity when engaging with traumatic material. So being thoughtful, mindful, calm and caring, to the side of you that is in the midst of the feelings storm.

I don't think they would mean a specific dissociative part. After all, per system and per situation that would differ. Some parts can handle hearing and feeling about the experiences of part X, while other experiences are too painful for them and vice versa.

I'm glad my therapists have never used this term or assumed that there was a core.

what if when they are talking about 'a core self' they are meaning more like OSDD or a lesser level of dissociation in a person? ...maybe on average more of their clients present that way... then they meet someone whose system doesn't work that way and it doesn't work for them?

If so then they maybe they need a different approach depending on what kind of dissociation a person experiences?