Psychology uses many tools during the therapeutic process, one of the techniques used to acquire self-knowledge and self-compression is the lifeline.
While it is a technique with a humanistic and systemic perspective, it is also used by psychologists from different schools because it offers a lot of information about the patient/client.
- We.
- The people.
- Are a story.
- A present and a future.
- And everything converges on our individuality.
- We also report everything that has happened in our life story.
- And knowing how to organize and make sense of it is fundamental to grow.
- As a person.
- Having self-confidence and accepting us without complexities.
At the bottom of all this, the purpose of this article is to understand how the lifeline technique works and to know when it’s right to use it.
The basic functioning of this technique is analysis and reflection, that is, it is not a technique that by the simple fact of being applied gives immediate results, for this to take effect requires an effort of analysis and reflection.
Thus, first of all, analyzing each part of our life story (lifeline) allows us to channel and control the different emotions associated with it: the same emotions with which we usually live, but which we do not consciously control.
Once the line has been drawn, we must delve into the meaning of each element that is drawn in it, the lifeline technique requires a thoughtful analysis, which is usually guided by questions such as: what has changed in me as a result of this experience. What did I lose and what did I gain at the time?Among other things.
With all this, we are able to develop experiences in a healthy and adaptive way, and in this way we know and understand each other better, because we are able to unite our past with the present constructively.
“We are a story of everything that has happened in our life story, and knowing how to put that in order and make sense of our history is critical to growing up as a person. “
The lifeline can be used at (almost) any time, but is ideal at the beginning of a therapeutic process or to end a phase of confusion. The lifeline is a very useful technique when you want to know yourself better, because by understanding everything that has happened, you will understand why you are acting the way you do and you will feel what you are feeling.
On the other hand, it is not appropriate to apply the life line technique if you have recently had painful and traumatic experiences, in fact, according to a study by the University of Arizona (USA), in a period of mourning (or reaction to loss). Phases of depression can be observed, that is, while a phase of loss or trauma is being experienced, this technique is not indicated because humor is likely to introduce a negative predisposition in the analysis.
To apply this technique, as mentioned above, it is necessary to focus on two phases of work: the development of the lifeline and the critical-reflective analysis phase, so first of all, you only have to write with pencil and paper, draw a straight line. and start placing the following points in chronological order:
1. Define and record the facts of your life, such as your birth, the birth of your siblings, cousins or children, the death of loved ones, the beginning of married or married life, etc. For this part, you can use the blue color.
2. Also highlight important events or very important moments in your life that represented a change, for example: a move, the beginning or end of a study period, a much desired or important trip, among others. who will identify what is important. For these line events, you can use the green color.
“Lifeguard is a very useful technique when you want to get to know yourself better, because by understanding everything that has happened, you will understand why you are doing what you are doing and feeling what you feel. “
3. Now you must score your turning points on the line, we understand that they work as keys to open phases or crisis situations that are properly assumed and developed, so you can use the red color for those inflection moments, and you should specifically mark those that made you stronger.
4. Finally, you must indicate situations or moments of “cut”. We mean situations that have marked a before and after in your life, which you feel like moments of breaking down what was your life and your routine. In addition, they are difficult to remember or very traumatic. For these events, you can use black or a dark color, which contrasts with the rest of the notes.
Once you’ve drawn the lifeline, you should take the time to analyze the impact of each of the facts you’ve marked on your life, it’s important that you go beyond what’s plotted on the line and immerse yourself in its consequences. knowing yourself is a necessary step to develop and overcome personal limitations.