A new and exciting insight into sub-personalities
Mark Turnbull and Ann Turnbull

What is the Whole Mind Insight System (WMIS)?
WMIS is a system which enables the client to externalise their inner thought processes, leading to insight and ultimately making connections between the various parts of our defence system which gives them the answers to the question ‘why’. It will also enable the client to express their emotions both logically and creatively, leading to a healthier balance.

The aim of the WMIS is to give the client the ability to see exactly what is going on in connection with thoughts, how they feel physically and the feelings they experience on a day to day basis.

The system will, as previously stated, enable the client to externalise their inner thought processes. It gives the client and the therapist the ability visually to see underneath the personality which is outwardly displayed to the world, to be able to associate this aspect with the physical and emotional parts of the personality.
Basically in all that we as therapists do, we believe one of the major objectives is to lead our clients into a situation where they are enabled to gain insight and understanding - Why is the question most people want answered but the only one able to answer that question is the person themselves.
Up until now many different methods have been used to give our clients insight but the problem has always been we are only able to do it in small chunks.
We have been unable to show them the whole picture. This system does just that in a simple, easily understandable form. We see it as an opportunity to use several different ideas that have not been put together before giving a completely new approach to therapy and counselling.

In our practices words and the choice of words is very important, but there are times when we have all felt that if only we could just show the client what we mean, a break through could be made.

Using this system the words are there but there will also be the pictures which the client will be encouraged to add. In fact the Personality Map itself becomes a picture of the whole self and you will see that it is true that a picture paints a thousand words.

Background into what lies behind the idea
The original concept came about from a personal need to physically see a representation of my personality on paper, and to see how each facet affected the other. I thought the best way to do that was to use the body- mind defence diagram…. as it showed in layers the order in which our basic defences work.

Originally answers to questions were placed around the circles in the diagram but this was not good enough as it stifled the flow of connected defences.
Previously I had been working on a way to gather information during therapy sessions using mind mapping, but that was all it was …………….. information gathering. I wanted a tool which would give the client insight as well as just a useful information gathering tool. So I tried combining the body-mind defences with mind mapping. As I experimented with this combination I realised that it could pretty much show how every nuance of feeling, behaviour and personality can be linked to each other.
It allowed me to explore my different defences (core, emotional, physical, ego) on paper and to draw links between every layer, it also enabled me to keep adding words and building the personality map outwardly. I found something interesting, as the personality map expanded there became a common theme around the outer words of the personality map. I found this theme to be the cause of all my behaviours and feelings.

I soon realised that this one thing, this one core defence was simply to do with survival. Every single word that I had placed on my personality map linked back to this theme. It made me realise that my whole personality, physical actions and feelings are controlled by what my perception of danger is and therefore perfectly natural. It enabled me to see what I needed to work on to bring this perception of danger more into balance.

I came to the conclusion that if I could do this with clients…it would help them to see themselves as I was able to see myself.

Theories and Models Used
With the background above it is also necessary to understand the combination of ideas which gave birth to the Whole Mind Insight System. To follow is a brief overview of the theories used in the conception of this totally new system.

Mind Mapping – Tony and Barry Buzan
The Mind Map, devised by Tony and Barry Buzan, uses words, colours, pictures and links therefore utilising both the logical and creative sides of our brain.
The technique of mind mapping was invented by Tony Buzan in the early 1970's. He realised during his university studies that the way he and the majority of students studied was severely flawed. He was using the traditional linear style of note taking during lectures and found it increasingly difficult to absorb the increasing amount of information he was being bombarded with. He very quickly realised that by adding a few colours to his notes...his comprehension and retention increased hugely. After studying the brain and the way we think, he then began to develop mind mapping as a note taking tool. His brother, Professor Barry Buzan, soon realised that Tony's idea could be used not only for note taking, but for note making (clarifying thoughts and ideas, problem solving) too. They worked together and developed what they now call the Radiant Thinking Mindmap.

Mind Mapping - How and why it works
Tony realised that traditional methods of note taking only use one side of the brain - the logical/linear side. After studying mnemonics he realised this could be incorporated into mind maps, therefore utilising the creative side of the brain. Using colour, pictures, symbols, creativity with words in this way creates an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Words (logical/linear)
Our minds are associative by nature, and every thought we have can be linked to countless other thoughts and ideas. The Mind Map utilised this fact by creating an outwardly radiant association tool. A Single word is placed in the centre of the page, this word should be the main idea or topic being studied. Lines are placed around that word ready for secondary ideas generated from the main word. From these secondary words, lines spray out ready for more words associated to the secondary ideas. It is vital to use only single words, sentences stunt the flow of ideas and single words have a virtually infinite number of ideas that can be linked to them. This process actually mirrors the brains neural network, and the flow of thoughts through these cells. So you see that traditional note taking and making works in direct opposition to the natural function of the brain.

BASIC MIND MAPS

Illustration of a simple Mind Map with the central word of happiness
(from The Mind Map Book by Tony & Barry Buzan)

BELOW: Illustration of the same basic Mind Map but it has now been extended i.e. more branches have been added.
You can see the associations made from the original branches and words as it has been extended.

From the above illustrations you can see how you can expand your simple Mind Map to any size you want. The possibilities are limitless.
Colour, dimension, images (creative)

A Mind Map is one huge mnemonic, the use of imagery, colour and symbols will hugely increase memory - both recall and retention. Not only because they are easier to remember, but the very act of creating something like this is enjoyable…and a mind map is something that you will want to look at again and again. It is attractive.
If a concept that you wish to put down in a mind map cannot be expressed with a single word, then a picture is used.

Body-Mind Defences – Peter Shepherd

The Body-Mind Defences is our Defensive Identity, which shows the various layers of each individuals unique defence system. This we all use in varying degrees to protect the Core or Soul.

• The Ego Layer – this is our basic sense of self or identity and is the first line of defence – some ego defences we all use are denial, blaming, excuses and any other rational reasons for ‘Why’ we do certain things.
  
• The Muscular or Physical Layer is the second layer - here we find the muscle tension that protects us against expressing the underlying suppressed feelings that we dare not express. The fear is what would people think if they knew how we really felt.
  
• The Emotional Layer is the third layer – here we find the suppressed feelings of rage, anxiety, panic, sadness or pain which we invariably do not understand.
  
• The Core we find our deepest feelings - to love and be loved. They are always present even though the defences on the outer layers make it unconscious and difficult to see.

The breakdown of the defensive layers is necessary for the individual to become consciously aware of their tendencies to deny, blame or make excuses. In reality if we were all able to act or react from a position of awareness for instance ‘Is this how I really feel about this’ or is it coming from unconscious unexpressed feelings towards something or someone else.

If we use Mind Mapping in conjunction with the Body-Mind Defences our client can produce a map of the what, why, who, how and the when in their lives. By asking a few simple questions and leaving blanks for word association we can more easily enable the client to see their defence systems and so they can peel away the defence layers visually. The connections between the outer defence layers and the true self can then more easily be made. After all as we all know it’s all very well for us as therapist to see what is going on but the problem has always been giving our clients that ability.

Therapeutic benefits

Therapist

The Personality Map can have a huge benefit to therapist and client when combined with the ego defence layer diagram, using the Personality Map we can produce an externalised map of a client’s state of mind. This is useful for the therapist as it enables him/her to have an at a glance psychological profile of the client, and to see any possible links. By asking the right questions a therapist can delve deeply into the clients thought processes in a fraction of the time taken using other methods. The therapist will only produce a basic mind map leaving the client to use their own creativity and fill in any other associations they may see at any time.

Client

If the client cannot make sense of the way he/she is feeling or why, the Personality Map will give them a sense of structure and therefore security from the knowledge that they have taken back control. They can finally see the workings of their mind on a piece of paper. By continuously adding thoughts/associations to the Personality Map during and outside therapy, they will finally be able to see the reasons for their feelings, actions and behaviour.




Download a blank Personality Map

As you will see from the above Personality Map we have split it into sections: Ego, Muscular/Physical, Emotional and the Core. From this beginning the therapist does the initial Personality Map using simple questions and counselling skills.

Begin with the Ego section (the outer defence layer).

• Ask the question – What are the traits you want people to see in you. Or to put it another way ‘what is your business card’, what are you trying to show people about yourself. Use each trait as a branch on your Personality Map stemming from the arc of the Ego Defence layer.
  
• Next ask the appropriate question – How, Why, When or Who using your counselling skills to get an answer for one of the initial trait branches which you already have. These answers must be put in one word and will branch off from the original branch – You may have several branches from the initial branch and that is fine – you will find that the answers from you client will start to come faster the more you do.
  
• Once you have got these answers ask the next appropriate question – adding more branches to the secondary branches as you go.
  
• When you feel enough has been achieved with this trait at this time – leave some blank branches for the client to fill in at their leisure the client will feel a need to fill in the blanks. Now go on to the next trait
  
• Once the Ego layer has been completed go on to the next section – the Physical Layer - and continue with the same format.
  
• In the same way complete the Emotional Layer
  
• You may find there are connections between one section and the next – If there is connect them with arrows as in the completed Personality Map below
  
• It is probably better at his time not to complete the ‘core’ section – this can be left to a later session – the answers will become more apparent to the client for the core section as the Personality Map begins to fill out and connections and associations are made.
  

Explain that the client can make associations between different sections, if they see any. As the therapist we should suggest any connections or links we can see between the various words within the Personality Map, but we must remember that this belongs solely to the client and the connections must fit their beliefs.
Encourage the client to be creative using colours, pictures or whatever they choose. Encourage your client to be as creative with their mind map as they want to be but it can remain simple. The important thing to remember is that this belongs to your client. There is no right or wrong way for the client to do it. There are no boundaries and it will mean something to them.
For instance in the ego section, once you start to think about what actions you take, what we try to portray to others, and ultimately what we use to defend ourselves against people really knowing us you can automatically make associations between that and the who’s and the why’s.

As the therapist - Using the Personality Map we can take a peak beneath the defence layers and gain an understanding of what is going on.

The client - Using the Personality Map will have the opportunity to see themselves more clearly. They will have created their own Personality Map - they will be able to make associations between the defence layers - they will be able to use their own creativity to personalise their Map. And in so doing you will find that they are able to understand more easily what is going on.
The Personality Map is an on-going process and will change and grow with the client.

Personality Map – Expanded

THE SECOND STEP

The purpose of this step is to allow the client to explore their feelings and behaviours further. It is the first step towards resolving the conflict caused by the repression of innate feelings and behaviour. For example: a client represses fear as unacceptable and unattractive, he thinks he has to be courageous all the time. If he shows any fear people may think he is weak. This is causing a conflict within him/her because no matter how much he tries to repress the fear, it is still there and may come out in other ways - such as a phobia. It is paradoxical in a way, because the clients repression of fear is caused by fear itself - fear of rejection. This step is a way of reframing all unacceptable aspects on a conscious level, and allowing the client to see that no matter what they do or feel, it is all part of a natural process of defence and survival.

1. Using the Personality Map – work your way around the map using all relevant words

2. Make two simple Mind Maps with one word as central point – Take one word from the original personality map, and ask the client to give one word to describe its opposite. Split the two opposites into POSITIVE and NEGATIVE

3. Be careful to use the client’s own words (these may not be what the therapist would have chosen) it is important to use client’s words because we want to work within the client’s belief system

4. Explore POSITIVES and NEGATIVES of each of the Mind Maps

5. Make associations if there are any – how often will you find that when a client cannot think of a positive for say ‘fear’ if you look then at the negative of ‘courage’ (fear’s opposite) there it is!!

6. Take a look at the opposites – are they sub-personalities or shadow selves

a) Identify the opposites (shadow selves)

c) Using counselling skills – stages 1, 2 and 3

i) Explore and focus

ii) Lead client to INSIGHT / UNDERSTANDING

iii) Action Plan – set goals

THE THIRD STEP

Hypnosis
Once the second step has been completed, the therapist can then look at the all of the different feelings and behaviours explored in step 2 and treat them as sub-personalities, then set up dialogues between them in hypnosis. For example: fear and courage can have a conversation about what they are both doing in the client’s life. Dialogues can also be set up between more than two of the sub-personalities.
The Adult self or some other symbol of wisdom can be brought in to mediate between the conflicting parts, these parts will usually trust the wise adult self and will believe him/her when they expose the mistaken belief causing the repression.
The aim of step 3 is to encourage the two opposites (sub-personalities) to accept each other - thus resolving the conflict caused by their repression. The client has denied and repressed many of the parts displayed before him/her as unacceptable, probably because of the mistaken belief they will be rejected in some way.

Stage 3
We can now use several different interventions, one may seem more appropriate for a particular person than another. We could for instance, using hypnosis, create a dialogue between opposites or the sub-personalities.
Method

1. Induce hypnotic trance
   
2. Thank the sub-conscious for protecting the client so well, (this will help to create rapport with sub-conscious)
   
3. Introduce the various sub-personalities (opposites) one at a time. Ask the client to visualise them both and to describe everything about them (posture, clothing, facial expressions etc). Then ask what the sub-personality or part is doing in the client’s life. Remembering to appreciate the role that part is playing. It is important to be accepting and not critical of the role that part of the personality has played up to this point in the client’s life.
   
4. We can then create a dialogue between the opposing parts. The object of the dialogue is to for each part or sub-personality to appreciate the role the opposing part has played and with that appreciation it should be possible for long sought after harmony to be created.
   
5. It is also important for the Adult self to understand the different roles the sub-personalities have played in protecting the core. Therefore it would be useful for the Adult self to be introduced possibly as the mediator between the two parts. Also for the Adult self to gain an understanding of the roles the different parts of the personality have been playing in life.
   
6. These parts may no longer have a role to play and it may be appropriate for the Adult self to persuade the particular sub-personality to take a lesser role in the client’s everyday life.

OR
We could use the Conference Room technique
Method

1. Induce hypnotic trance
   
2. Thank the sub-conscious for protecting the client so well, (this will help to create rapport with sub-conscious)
   
3. Ask the client where they would like to hold a conference – encourage the client to describe as vividly as possible the surroundings, the layout, the colours. The more information you gain the easier it will be for the client to focus on this.
   
4. Ask the client where they would like to be seated
   
5. Now introduce the conflicting sub-personalities into the scene – allow the client to bring them in the order they want. Ask the client where they would like the sub-personality to sit/stand in relation to themselves. Check to make sure the client is satisfied with the scene
   
6. Once the conflicting sub-personalities are in place ask the client who they would like to talk to first, they what they would like to say. Allow the sub-personality to answer and if create a dialogue between them.
   
7. Go through the same process with each sub-personality
   
8. When this has been completed check with client to see if there is anything else they want to say or do

By using this method a dialogue with conflicting parts is set up. By doing this the client will be able to see the role that part has played or is playing and whether it is still appropriate. The client may well want to change the role played or lessen the role but the outcome would be to gain an insight into the importance of the parts and to resolve or lessen conflict between parts.
Using this method the client, who is in control of the conference, will be able to use their position to regain control over the conflicting parts and more importantly their life.

In conclusion
The Aim of using the system is to allow the client to produce a visual map of their personality. Because the Personality Map is visual it makes it easier for the client to identify, behaviour patterns, underlying emotions and areas of conflict in their life.
The advantages of using the Whole Mind Insight System are:

1. Using the client’s own words identify the various aspects of the personality

2. To enable the client to visually see those aspects

3. To identify connections between various aspects

4. To give the client the ability to gain insight into behaviours etc

5. Identifying conflicting parts

6. On a cognitive level allowing the client to see the positive and negatives of these parts

7. Conflict resolution using:

a) Counselling skills

b) Parts Therapy

c) Conference Room

What else can this system be used for?
If internal conflicts can be resolved using this system…..then it becomes obvious that conflicts between people can be resolved too. This is possible because it allows the various people concerned to see why they affect each other so. It should bring about a deeper understanding of others.
· Management training
· Family therapy
· Relationship counselling and marriage guidance
In fact any situation which involves more than one person
For example: in marriage guidance……the therapist could see the couple individually and have them produce a personality map. Then they can be brought together to discuss their personality maps with each other.
Results:
By using the Whole Mind Insight System you will have given the client the gift of ‘Insight’. Once the client has gained insight it will be easier for both the client and the therapist to identify conflicts. By using either counselling skills, parts therapy or the Conference Room technique conflicts can be resolved bringing harmony to their life.

Bibliography
Transforming The Mind - Body-Mind Defences by Peter Shepherd
The Mind Map Book - Mind Maps by Tony and Barry Buzan
Mapping The Mind - The Mind by Rita Carter