When we sit down and really think about how different our lives are from how we would like them to be, the task of change starts to seem enormous. Relationships, family, work all seem to have their shortcomings. What hope is there if there are so many problems?
Self Psychology theory offers us hope by asking us to concentrate on one thing at a time.
Self Psychology, as developed by Heinz Kohut (a visionary psychotherapist who died in the 1980’s) is a form of psychotherapy that I feel offers a well-proven method for change. It is best known for its empathic approach and its ability to restart derailed self development. It had at its goal the empathic exploration of the ‘core’ parts of a client’s personality.
However, one of its lesser-known features is the concept of sectors. Simply put, it says that people’s lives are composed of sectors. These sectors are fairly separate areas of their life, are sustained over a period of time, and link the unchanging core part of the person with more surface-level or peripheral aspects of personality. For example, you may have a work sector, a family sector, a relationship sector, a sports sector and a hobby sector (and perhaps others).
Each sector is not really a separate personality. All are part of the one person, but different characteristics of the person may come to the fore in the different sectors. Further, each sector might be really well developed and rich in content.
Interestingly, Kohut did not believe ‘that mental health comes from emptying a person’s unconsciousness of all unresolved, dark thoughts and feelings, or perfectionistically seeking a complete integration of a person’s experiences’. Rather he saw that focus should be on developing strong sectors ‘rather than a general self-integration that, however desirable, is not essential’ (Lee, 2009 p.136).
Kohut believed that if a person had one sector of their life that successfully engaged and integrated their ideals, ambitions and skills then this sector of their life would link their core self to their peripheral self. If this happened then their life could be ‘healthy and meaningful, even if limited in scope (Lee, 2009). No matter what the sector of their life was, if it integrated these three elements – ideals, ambitions and skills – then this sector of their life would provide a basis for a healthy mental life.
In other words, start by getting one part of your life right – even a hobby or interest – that is true to your ideals, allows you to express your ambitions and engages your skills and this will provide an anchor for you.
Reference:
Lee, R. R., Rountree, A. & McMahon, S. (2009) Five Kohutian Postulates: Psychotherapy Theory from an Empathic Perspective Jason Aronson, Maryland.
