The role of haptotherapy in treating parentification

For nearly a quarter of adult psychiatric patients parentification is the primary cause of their illness. Patients face long existing self-esteem issues, attachment problems, mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders and are sometimes traumatized. This article addresses destructive parentification and, its impact on the development of a child. The development of tact has an impact on the child’s life, their development, environment and relationships. The inability to develop tact properly has therefore a great influence on the child’s life. As these developmental gaps are taken into adulthood there is an impact on the adult’s life too. This can result in problems in intimate relationships and at work. The absence of the ability to set limits, taking on too much responsibility and raising high standards for themselves, are the result of a lack of basic trust, inner awareness and autonomy. Haptotherapy is a therapy that addresses the stagnated development of tact, touch, feeling, sensory wareness and connection. Clinical experience shows us that it supports clients in gaining a sense of self confidence, trust, inner awareness and autonomy. This results in a better ability to set boundaries, not taking on too much responsibility and be less perfection.

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