What are ‘multiple selves’?
Used in compassion-focused therapy (CFT), the concept of “multiple selves” refers to the idea that individuals can have different, sometimes conflicting, parts or aspects of their personality and inner experience. The key aspects are:
- The compassionate self: This is the part of the individual that is caring, kind, and focused on alleviating suffering in themselves and others. It represents the caring, nurturing side of the person.
- The critical or condemning self: This is the part of the individual that is self-critical, harsh, and judges themselves harshly. It represents the inner critic that can be overly harsh and punishing.
- The threatened or anxious self: This is the part of the individual that feels vulnerable, scared, or threatened, and may react with defensiveness or avoidance.
The goal in CFT is to help the individual develop a stronger, more compassionate self that can soothe and calm the critical and threatened selves. Through self-compassion and an understanding of these various aspects of the self, the individual can learn to be kinder and more accepting towards themselves, which can reduce suffering and promote well-being.
The recognition of these multiple, sometimes conflicting, selves is an important part of the CFT model that helps the therapist and client work collaboratively to understand and address the various parts of the individual’s inner experience.
How do these “selves” interact during therapy sessions?
The different “selves” or parts of the individual’s personality and inner experience can interact in the following ways:
Identifying the selves:
The therapist and client work together to identify and distinguish between the different selves, such as the Compassionate Self, the Critical Self, and the Threatened Self. This helps the client become more aware of these different aspects of themselves and how they influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
Exploring the dynamics between selves:
The therapist encourages the client to notice when different selves emerge and how they interact with each other. For example, the Critical Self might harshly judge the client, leading to the Threatened Self feeling afraid or ashamed.
Developing the Compassionate Self:
A key focus in CFT is on strengthening the Compassionate Self, which can then soothe and calm the Critical and Threatened Selves. The therapist guides the client in practices like compassionate imagery, letter-writing, and self-compassion exercises to help nurture this compassionate part of the self.
Mediating conflicts between selves:
When the different selves are in conflict, the therapist helps the client find ways to facilitate dialogue and understanding between them. This might involve the client imagining a conversation between the selves or writing from the perspective of each self.
Integrating the selves:
The ultimate goal is to help the client integrate the different selves, so that the Compassionate Self can harmoniously guide and support the other parts of the self. This allows the client to approach themselves and their experiences with more balance, acceptance, and self-care.
Throughout the process, the therapist provides a compassionate, non-judgmental presence to model and facilitate the client’s own self-compassion and self-acceptance.
Common challenges clients face addressing multiple selves in therapy.
There are many familiar challenges that occur when working with the concept of “multiple selves” in therapy. Here we have outlined some of the most frequently seen ones:
- Identifying and distinguishing the selves: It can be difficult for clients to clearly identify and label the different aspects or parts of their personality and inner experience. They may struggle to differentiate between, for example, the Critical Self and the Threatened Self.
- Accepting the existence of the selves: Some clients may initially feel uncomfortable or resistant to the idea that they have multiple, sometimes conflicting, selves. They may view this as a sign of being “fragmented” or “not whole,” which can be challenging to accept.
- Relating to the critical or threatening selves: Clients often find it particularly difficult to collaborate with the Critical Self or Threatened Self, as these parts can be intensely painful or overwhelming. They may have an instinctive desire to suppress, avoid, or fight against these selves, rather than approach them with compassion.
- Developing compassion for the selves: Genuine self-compassion, especially towards the more painful or maladaptive selves, can be a significant challenge for many clients. Clients may struggle to shift away from self-criticism and towards self-kindness and understanding.
- Integrating the selves: Helping the client integrate the different selves into a more cohesive, flexible sense of self can be a gradual and complex process. Clients may experience setbacks or difficulties in maintaining a balanced, compassionate relationship with all aspects of themselves.
- Application to daily life: Translating the work done in therapy around multiple selves into consistent self-care and self-compassion in daily life can be an ongoing challenge for clients.
The therapist’s role is to provide a supportive, compassionate environment and to guide the client through these challenges with patience, empathy, and practical strategies. Over time, this can help the client develop a more integrated, self-compassionate relationship with the various parts of the self.
Are multiple selves only relevant to CFT or can they be used in ACT therapy too?
The concept of “multiple selves” is not exclusively used for compassion-focused therapy (CFT) but can also be relevant in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as well.
While the specific terminology and emphasis may differ, both CFT and ACT recognise that individuals can have different, sometimes conflicting, parts or aspects of their personality and inner experience.
The idea of “self-as-context” or the “observing self” is similar to the Compassionate Self in CFT. This is the part of the self that can observe and hold the other parts with acceptance and mindfulness.
ACT also recognises that individuals can have different “self-conceptualisations” or stories they tell themselves about who they are, similar to the different selves in CFT. ACT encourages clients to develop a more flexible, accepting relationship with these distinct aspects of the self, rather than trying to eliminate or suppress them.
The key difference is that in CFT, the emphasis is on nurturing self-compassion and soothing the critical and threatened selves, whereas in ACT the focus is more on developing psychological flexibility and acceptance of all parts of the self. The underlying principle of acknowledging and relating to the various aspects of the self in a healthy way is common to both CFT and ACT. Many therapists may integrate elements from both approaches when working with clients and the concept of “multiple selves” can be valuable in either context.
The main consideration is how the therapist frames and works with these distinct aspects of the self in the context of the broader therapeutic approach and goals.
