Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions that are useful in understanding Identity Development, Identity Development Sessions and the Intention Method:

Who are the resonators (or representatives)?

In a group workshop, it is the subject (or client) who chooses the  resonators when they are working with  their sentence of intention. When you are asked by the subject  to resonate with their word, it is your choice if you accept or not. As a resonator you are like an echo. You echo back to the subject the feelings, thoughts and sensations that you take in while resonating with  their word.  

By being a resonator you are providing information to the subject t and also, uncannily, you often  realize something which relates to your own self development. Primarily, you are a resource for the subject s, even as many resonators report that they personally gain valuable personal insight from the resonating experience.

What does an I.D. facilitator do?

Because of the training, an I.D.s  facilitator makes it possible to offer Identity  Development Sessions. First, the facilitator makes sure that the setting is conducive for the work to be undertaken. This includes the contracting with the subject  and resonators (if in a group setting).

The facilitator then attends to the dynamics that are unfolding in the session and, as the unfolding continues, may ask questions relating to what is being experienced and/or offer observations. 

In individual private, one-to-one sessions the facilitator may represent words in the client’s sentence of intention, offering feedback from this  resonating position. Floor markers are also used in 1:1 sessions. 

What happens after an I.D. session?

In a group workshop, when a subject’s session  has concluded, the subject  will thank each resonator for participating in the session and “release” them from their roles. Generally, the session is not de-briefed or discussed by the group, except if one of the resonators needs to say something to help conclude their resonating role. The facilitator will probably ask if the subject  would like some quiet time for reflection before proceeding to the next subject’s session. 

In a one-to-one setting after the work in the session has come to a conclusion the facilitator will work with the subject to ensure that any next steps are clarified, which relate to the self insights/discoveries. 

 Is an I.D. session a stand-alone approach or can it be combined with other approaches?

While an I.D. session can stand alone, we recommend that a subject also work with a licensed therapist to integrate what is learned in an I.D. session because these sessions are not therapy nor a substitute for therapy even as they can be quite powerful and effective. Sometimes if a subject is working with a therapist he/she might be accompanied to an I.D. Session by their therapist, or the subject and therapist come together to a group workshop. This enables continuity and integration to be created with their ongoing therapeutic work.

How confidential is the process?

In a one-to-one session the contract of confidentiality is discussed by the facilitator at the first session. If a subject  were to invite a therapist with whom they are working to a one-to-one session, then all three would agree the basis on which they would work together in the session. This  might  mean both the therapist and facilitator being  resonators at some point in the work. If the therapist accompanies a subject  to a Group Workshop the therapist becomes a member of the group like anyone else.

In group sessions a contracting conversation is the first conversation that takes place. This allows everyone the opportunity to ‘sign up’ to the contract with each other in a real and meaningful way. The main focus of this contracting is about Confidentiality and Self Responsibility.