Memory-Associated Positive Identity Therapy (MAPIT)

VICTORIA, British Columbia - Oct. 22, 2013 - PRLog -- This report is from Daniel Keeran, MSW, RSW, President, College of Mental Health Counselling, Victoria, BC, Canada, http://ctihalifax.com (http://www.collegemhc.com/)

Memories are a major contributor to personal identity. The therapy described in this paper involves recalling positive experiences beginning with early childhood in order to strengthen one's positive identity while ignoring painful, negative, or traumatic life experiences associated with a negative identity. The MAPIT approach is used in combination with, not as a replacement for, approaches that involve healing the pain of past trauma.

Case Study

Charlie experienced a sexual assault at age 18. Before this occurred, she was valedictorian of her high school class and enjoyed writing and many other activities. Since the assault she has been hospitalized numerous times for suicidal depression and paranoid delusions.

Charlie was asked to bring photos of herself as a child up to the age when the painful experience occurred. She is directed:

“Describe yourself at that age while looking at the photo. What was happening in your life? What did you enjoy?”

When Charlie responds, the counselor says:

“So that’s who you were when you were age _____.”

The process is repeated for each photo, and the photos are mounted in a visible area such as the wall at her bedside. Any diplomas, certificates, and positive memorabilia are also placed there.

The counsellor might say, “I wonder if you can imagine what you would be like today if the assault had never happened. Talk about it.” This helps Charlie form her identity based on who she was before the assault occurred.

If Charlie begins to cry, it may be a grieving of the lost identity, and this should be supported by saying, “Let yourself feel that right now.”

After Charlie has time to grieve, she can be helped to ground herself in her positive-identity by saying, “I wonder if some of the old positive Charlie is still there inside you, the valedictorian, the hopeful child, the child who is loved and who loves others, the person who feels safe” (use words and phrases from Charlie’s description of herself in the past).

* first use of this term and first description of this therapy in professional literature http://ctihalifax.com

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