Repression
Pushing unpleasant material out of awareness — it doesn't disappear, it only moves out of view.
How it shows up
A memory that »isn’t there«, a feeling that fails to appear where you’d expect it. What is repressed often returns by a detour: through the body, dreams, disproportionate reactions.
What we do with it in therapy
We don’t dig by force. The work proceeds by strengthening your capacity to bear things — and what was repressed often shows itself once it becomes safe.
See also
Reconciliation
Restoring a relationship after a rupture — unlike forgiveness, it always requires both people.
Differentiation
The ability to stay yourself while being close to someone — and to stay close even when you disagree.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Persistent responses after a traumatic event: re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal and altered mood.
