Dear Joanna:

You are welcome, I am glad someone is taking care of you somewhat. “How do I do that?“- imagine little kitten Joanna, she is still here, in you… still meowing, still needing help. How do you help her? Ask her: little kitten-Joanna, what do you need now, tell me please..? And listen to her. She may look at you in surprise because she was never asked this question, or maybe she may have no answer for you because she never trusted anyone with her true feelings, including with what she needs… so she no longer knows what she needs.

So, help her to come up with an answer, ask her: do you need your face washed with cold (or warm) water? Will that make you feel better? If she has no answer, make her an offer: let’s go to the bathroom and I will gently splash some water on your face, it may make you feel better.

“I thought it would feel better after I face this memory“- bring this memory to the present time, like I suggested above, make the connection between the past and the part of the past that is still here: the precious little, lost Joanna is Here and Now. Take care of her gently, consistently.. show her that she can trust you.

anita