Helping our patients at the identity or perception of self level to impact behaviours and change

When we take on a particular “identity or sense of self”, we take on a set of values and internal rules associated with that identity. Those set of values and internal rules often dictate how we feel and think, and hence, impact our behaviours and outcome.

If we want to change our outcome, we can change it at a “behaviour level”, thought or feeling level, rules or values level, or even more upstream, at the “identity” level.

In counseling, we often see folks who struggle at the identity level.

The most common being the “not good enough person”, “not valued enough person”, “not lovable enough person” etc.

If we can sort things out at the upstream “identity” level, then the rest can change downstream more organically and with more ease.