Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Step1
Identify which needs have gone unmet. For most abuse survivors, this list includes the need for safety, love, trust, acceptance and boundaries. Depending upon the length and severity of the abuse, many more needs might have gone unmet. Every child needs at least one person in his life to communicate that he is precious for who he is and that he does not need to earn love. Few abused children have this need met.
Step2
Focus on meeting one need at a time. Start with the need that is causing the most trouble in your life. For example, if you have trouble sleeping because you feel unsafe at night, focus on meeting the need for safety before moving on to meeting other needs.
Step3
Take action to meet the unmet need. If you feel unsafe in your bedroom at night, do things that make you feel safer, such as sleeping with a dog in your room or locking your bedroom door. If you have trouble setting boundaries, practice saying no until you start to feel like you have more control over your life.
Step4
Find ways to meet needs that do not require action by another person. For example, many abuse survivors feel abandoned by those they love. When they choose to focus on meeting the need to feel loved, they can wind up reinforcing the unmet emotional need as friends let them down. Instead, find alternative ways to meet those needs. A good way to meet the need to feel loved is to love yourself. Learning how to meditate is also a powerful way to meet your own needs because you are connecting with a power stronger than yourself that provides an endless source of love.
Step5
Celebrate your victories. Instead of focusing on all of the work you have left to do, take time to celebrate after you address an unmet emotional need.
Step6
Repeat these steps for each unmet need.
Comments
bellasmom06 said
on 5/5/2008 Thank you for an excellent article. I hate when people say children are resilient, they will get over it. NO THEY DONT. That is why so many adults are in therapy now, it all goes back to child hood.