Creative Communication with Parts
The Meeting House by Gabriell Sacks
Guest blog by Gabriell Sacks
Foreword: I am delighted to welcome Gabriell Sacks as a guest blogger and creator of psycho-structures. Gabby participates regularly in our afternoon Dissociative Writers Workshop, attends the Memoir Class, and serves as one of the editors of the upcoming Dissociative Writers Anthology. She has a PhD in Special Education and has worked as a Behavior Specialist. ~ Lyn
I Was Awake by Gabriell Sacks
As someone living with DID, I’ve struggled to put together a cohesive narrative of my life. All of my various parts contain different aspects of memories, thoughts, emotions, and sensations. While this was necessary and even life-saving while I was growing up, as an adult it has become an impediment to growth and healing. As I begin to integrate all the dissociated aspects of my self into one whole, communication between the parts becomes essential. To facilitate this communication, I create what I term “psycho-structures.” These structures enable me to give voice to all my parts and to verbalize the unspeakable. They encourage communication between the parts and also between the parts and my therapist.
Psycho-Structures
While most of my psycho-structures contain physical representations of different parts of my self, I constructed “The Meeting House” without any actual parts present. It is both a symbol of cooperation among the parts and a physical representation of my internal gathering space for all the parts. It has become a critical aspect of how all the parts communicate with each other. I designed each room in “The Meeting House” with specific parts in mind. There’s an art room with an easel and colorful paper and pencils and paints for Billy. There’s a music circle for guitar-playing Jesse. The living room is Miss Edna’s favorite space, with its shelves of books and comfortable sofas and chairs. The den is a space for solitude where parts can listen to records on the stereo or watch the goldfish swim round and round in his bowl. The kitchen is fully stocked with food both delectable and nutritious for Kate who has eating issues. Under the stairs is a tiny nook with pillows and posters of animals for Little Ellen. The attic play-space, with its toys, stuffed animals, and books, as well as a quiet place to sit, was designed for all the Littles. Finally, there’s a large conference table on which sits a notebook and pencil for note-taking and a megaphone to be passed around for turn-taking when a large group gathers for an internal meeting. On the wall is a poster that reads: “Speak your truth, even if your voice shakes.”
Trauma
Most of my psycho-structures symbolize specific aspects of traumas I’ve endured, such as “I WAS AWAKE.” Here Kate stands guard in her characteristic Incredible Hulk pose, which represents all the rage she has bottled up inside. Spread out on top of the box is the Octopus cradling Little One in his arms, protecting her from nighttime traumas. Inside the box is an array of hands. Finally, the words, “To heal we must remember.”
Respite
Camp Hideaway by Gabriell Sacks
I designed others psycho-structures as spaces for parts to play or relax. “Camp Hideaway” represents a day camp for all the Littles. There’s a sandbox, a jungle gym, an arts and crafts center, a tree house, and an open space for simply running around. Older parts have taken on the role of camp counselors as they monitor the activities and keep everyone safe.
“Sarah’s Garden” is a place some of the Littles can go to feel more connected to nature and the earth. Little Ellen and Ayiden pick ripe red tomatoes. Daniel holds out his arm hoping a butterfly will land on him. Fred points up at the vulture sitting atop the garden shed. Sarah, a cat by her side, stands over-looking all the vegetables and flowers. She encourages and teaches the child parts about the cycle of life, bringing them the comfort, connection, and healing they crave.
Hope
Sarah’s Garden by Gabriell Sacks
Other structures embody hope, hope that I can continue to move forward, find meaning in my life, and heal. “You can do this hard thing” (not shown) serves as a reminder that even at the hardest of times, represented by the 2 figures (Sam and Danny) wrapped in a scarf in the middle of the box, other parts of my self will be able to steer us through. Connie, who contains the rage, cups her hands around her mouth and yells off into the distance. Xian, with his fancy hat and trench coat, helps rally other parts. Jesse uses her music to express the roiling emotions contained inside. Laura sits in her meditative pose exuding peace and calm over the whole scene.
Courage
Into the Light by Gabriell Sacks
Finally, “Into the Light” represents bravery and hope: the bravery it takes to confront what scares you and the hope that from such confrontation can arise acceptance and meaning, as well as a sense of peace. The bottom section depicts the importance of bringing secrets out into the light so they no longer hold power over you. Cantel holds a book under his arm in which is written our life story, secrets and all; he knows he “can tell” now. Kate, with her fists in the air, is learning to turn her rage outward, where it belongs. She is steadfast in her commitment to the Truth. Laura sits her yoga pose next to a vase of flowers, representing inner peace and new life. The top of the box is a testament to the bravery and persistence it takes to be able to hold onto that tiny flicker of light that inevitably exudes from near complete darkness. Flying Girl, wearing her superhero cape, represents the hope that, with courage, we may sometime in the future more fully embrace our existence and live the life we desire with purpose, connection, and meaning.
Self-Care
As one begins to face the traumas of the past and starts to heal in the present, communication between all of our dissociative parts becomes essential. For me, art, in the form of my 3-dimensional psycho-structures, has been critical for enhancing the sharing of memories, thoughts, emotions, and sensation among all my parts, as well as making it possible for all of my parts to communicate more effectively with my therapist, especially when words alone aren’t sufficient. I encourage you to help your parts communicate by finding some form of art, whether that’s 2-dimensional drawings or paintings or 3-dimensional sculptures or structures, to express what words alone often can’t. Communication builds connection, and it is through connection that healing comes.
Invitation
Check out my website at www.lynbarrett.com where you can download my free ebook called DID Unpacked and receive a free weekly newsletter. My memoir, Crazy: Reclaiming Life from the Shadow of Traumatic Memory will be released on December 1, 2021. PREORDERS are coming soon! Our new Dissociative Writers website is filled with writing opportunities to explore.
What Do You Say?
What do you think about Gabby’s solution to inner communication?
Share in the Comments below.
What creative ways do you communicate with your parts?
Do Gabby’s psycho-structures inspire you
to find creative ways to communicate?
What do your parts need to feel safe enough
to share their stories with you?
🕊
“The creative adult is the child who survived.”
~ U. LeGuin