The Foundation of My Work

Throughout our lives, however, many of us lose conscious contact with this core. Instead, we increasingly identify with inner parts that were once created to protect us – but today often dominate or conflict with each other.

Most often, we experience ourselves almost exclusively from the perspective of these parts or survival strategies: Some of these parts are active and controlling – like the performer, the perfectionist, the driver, the inner critic. Others seek distraction, for instance through excessive use of social media, consumption, or withdrawal. Still others dissociate or simply shut down.

This reinforces inner feelings of shame, which in turn prevents the expression of our authentic self, leading to even more feelings of separation, powerlessness, and the need for adaptation. We see the world through our "trauma glasses," strongly subjectively colored and often judgmental, defensive, and controlling. This often leads to isolation, inner withdrawal, or continuous seeking of external validation.

There is little balance and inner harmony, and the instance of "inner guidance," self-leadership, or harmonizing force is missing.

And although we often make great efforts to change something, these patterns are hardly transformable with willpower or resistance. Thus grows the desire for more self-efficacy, inner guidance, and clarity.

But this guidance cannot come from the parts themselves – they were formed in response to past injuries. These parts or symptoms, however, are not disorders but adaptive protective and compensatory reactions.

Due to their good intention, they deserve recognition and compassion, not rejection or even pathologization. Our "normal" rejecting approach to these symptoms reinforces the feeling that "something is wrong with us."

True inner guidance emerges through an instance beyond these patterns: the "Self."

In the model of Internal Family Systems (IFS) the Self is described as the inner space from which healing, compassion, presence, and wisdom flow. All great spiritual traditions also recognize this inner place – the source of love, clarity, presence, and compassion that exists within every person.

Current developments in psychology, psychotherapy, and coaching increasingly confirm what spiritual paths have always taught: It is this inner space, this inner strength, from which healing, meaning, self-efficacy, and real change arise.

When we come into contact with this inner Self, something essential happens: Overly active or burdensome parts begin to relax. The entire inner system comes into balance. A regulated presence becomes tangible.

This creates a sense of agency and self-efficacy. It leads to a coming into contact with the experienced and takes the wind out of the sails of strategies to disconnect from contact. For this, it's important to repeatedly look at what my relationship is to the inner experience.

I can learn to examine my patterns and triggers and question adaptive patterns and strategies.

 Compassion plays a central role here – especially compassion for those inner parts that wanted to protect us but often limit us today. It's not about "getting rid of something" but learning to develop a safe and regulating space within ourselves where whatever "comes up" is allowed to be.

My work consists of accompanying people on this journey, with the aim of:

• Recognizing and naming the inner parts/symptoms/patterns and understanding why and how they developed

• Meeting them with honest, compassionate acceptance, creating space for them to calm down and transform

• Enabling and establishing self-leadership and self-efficacy (agency)

• "Processing" traumatic experiences

• Bringing repressed inner parts – often from childhood – trauma-sensitively into consciousness and relieving them

• Promoting autonomy, honest expression, and inner freedom

• Dissolving inner beliefs and behavioral patterns

• Strengthening healthy connection to ourselves and our fellow human beings

• Overcoming shame, guilt, and fears

• Calming and regulating the nervous system and establishing inner safety

This creates self-determination and inner freedom: We are no longer governed by inner voices or patterns – but are in contact with what truly defines us. This self-empowerment brings forth qualities that enable profound change –without pressure, but with ease and authenticity.

From this tangible connection to our healing core grows a new perspective – accompanied by inner peace, clarity, and powerful presence.