Transgenerational trauma and schema therapy: Imagery rescripting and chairwork in practice

INTRODUCTION: Transgerational transmitted trauma is the transmission of psychological injuries between generations. This article uses two case vignettes to explore selected schema therapy approaches that help clients process transgenerationally transmitted trauma from their ancestors. Specific methods of imagery rescripting and chair work enable clients to transform maladaptive patterns of experiencing into healthier coping strategies, support better stress management, improve emotional regulation and communication in relationships, and encourage more profound relationships with themselves and others.

METHODS: Two case studies illustrate imagery rescripting and chair work, in which the client takes the role of their traumatised ancestor. The first case shows a schema therapy of a young woman struggling with repressed emotions related to her family history and the suicide of her grandfather. The second case demonstrates therapeutic work with a client struggling with emotional outbursts and self-harm that are a reflection of transgenerational traumatisation passed down from her mother and grandparents.

RESULTS: Both clients experienced a significant reduction in borderline symptoms during the therapeutic work. At the same time, these clients progressed in understanding the inherited transgenerational family patterns and improved their behaviour towards themselves and others.

DISCUSSION: Two case examples have shown that experiential interventions such as imagery rescripting and chairwork can help clients process transferred patterns of traumatic experience and behaviour and bring adaptive changes into their lives. Imagery rescripting as a therapeutic tool can bridge the emotional and physical aspects of transferred learned experiences and help clients integrate a new perspective on themselves and others.

CONCLUSION: Imagery rescripting and chairwork can be effective therapeutic tools for addressing transgenerational trauma.