Processing the Past for an Empowered Future, with Shailynn Brown
Do you feel like your past experiences affect your current reality? Personally, I feel like they do. And a quick search on Google will tell you there’s scientific evidence to support that idea. For me, processing past experiences has been an important piece of my healing and wellness journey.
You might have guessed from the name of the podcast, but I love learning about and trying new healing techniques. So today, we’re talking about a cool healing modality that has helped me to process and make peace with my past experiences called the Integrative Processing Technique.
And joining me to talk all about it, is my amazing cousin Shailynn Brown. She is trained in the Integrative Processing Technique and in this episode, we discuss what it is, what a session entails, her story of how got into this type of healing work, and I share some of my own personal experiences with it.
In this episode, we discuss:
[01:44] Making peace with the past for an empowered future
[04:43] Shailynn’s story of why she got into this type of healing work
[09:37] Integrative Processing Technique: what it is and what does a session look like
[24:27] Megan’s experiences with the Integrative Processing Technique
[27:40] Role play, verbal clearing and affirmations to help with the healing process
[31:07] A tip for people nervous to start with this type of healing work
[32:25] Can the Integrative Processing Technique help with chronic pain?
[37:16] Can the Integrative Processing Technique help with mental health?
[39:07] Letting go of what isn’t yours
[43:54] Learning to be your own authority
[45:45] Learning from my autistic children
[48:46] How does this healing work support parents of kids with disabilities
[54:52] A few first steps to take if you’re new to healing work
[01:02:28] DIY approach to healing vs working with someone or community
[01:08:48] What if you’re resistant to healing work?
[01:11:29] An Integrative Processing Technique success story
Join us as we discuss embracing and processing our past to pave the way for an empowered future.
More of a reader? I got you. Here are some of the takeaways from the episode…
(You can also check out the transcript on the player above.)
Making peace with the past for an empowered future
The journey towards emotional wellness often begins with addressing unresolved issues from our past. Integrative Processing Technique (IPT) sessions provide a structured yet deeply personal approach to uncover and heal past traumas. Reflecting on past experiences during these sessions can lead to significant changes in how we perceive our current circumstances and ourselves, making a positive impact on our present reality.
Shailynn's Journey to the Integrative Processing Technique
Shailynn was drawn to healing work during a transformative period in her thirties, a time when unresolved issues became too uncomfortable to ignore. Her introduction to IPT came through a recommendation from a friend, at a time when Shailynn was struggling with severe postpartum depression. The profound impact of her first session led her to pursue training in IPT, seeking both personal healing and the tools to assist others.
Integrative Processing Technique: What it is and what does a session look like?
IPT combines various therapeutic methods, including role play, muscle testing, and energy work, to facilitate deep emotional healing. A typical session might last up to two hours, where the practitioner helps the client identify and process emotions tied to specific past experiences. This method relies on the body's innate intelligence to prioritize healing, often leading to insightful revelations and emotional release.
Megan’s experiences with the Integrative Processing Technique
Personally, the sessions I’ve had with Shailynn have been powerful in helping me to make peace with my past experiences. They have helped me reframe my perspective on past coping strategies and mental health challenges. These reframes have filled me with self-compassion, which in turn, gives me a bigger well of love and compassion to draw from for others. This healing work provided me with clarity, closure, and peace, which has positively impacted how I show up in the present.
Role play, verbal clearing and affirmations to help with the healing process
In a session, you might role-play to face old conflicts, use verbal clearing to express and release negative beliefs, and practice affirmations to boost positive self-views and intentions. Together, these methods help you tackle emotional issues from fresh perspectives, supporting your healing journey.
A tip for people nervous to start with this type of healing work
If you're feeling nervous about starting your healing journey, it's comforting to know that the body’s wisdom won't let you take on more than you can handle. This natural safeguard can give you the confidence to take those initial steps towards healing.
Can the Integrative Processing Technique help with chronic pain?
While IPT is not a cure-all, it can significantly influence chronic pain by addressing the emotional aspects of pain. Emotional distress can exacerbate physical pain, and by healing these emotional wounds, many find their physical symptoms become more manageable.
Can the Integrative Processing Technique help with mental health?
Both Shailynn and Megan have seen the positive impacts of this type of healing work on mental health. They have seen that by working through and healing from old wounds, they experienced some relief in their anxiety and depression, and an increase in peace and energy.
Letting go of what isn’t yours.
Sometimes, we try to carry other people’s baggage. A crucial aspect of healing is distinguishing between what is ours to hold and what baggage of others we can let go. This separation is vital for personal growth and emotional health, allowing us to focus on healing our own wounds without taking on the unnecessary burdens of others.
Learning to be your own authority.
Healing work can help you to reclaim your authority and take control of your life. It can help you realize where you have given up your authority to others and empower you to tap into your inner strength, wisdom and decision-making capabilities.
Learning from my autistic children
Initially, I tried to follow the parenting model I was raised with or that I learned from parenting books. But, it didn’t work for my kids. The past few years, I’ve been learning to take back my own authority in parenting. I’m learning to trust my own insights about my children, more than the well-intentioned advice from “experts.”
My children challenge me every day to question the norms and trust what I see working for us, even if it seems odd to others. They have a unique way of cutting through the superficial aspects of life that many of us just accept without question.
Embracing this path has been like walking through a refiner's fire, accelerating not just my personal growth but also helping me forge a new way forward. It's a journey of learning to see the beauty in the unique and the courage to live authentically.
How does this healing work support parents of kids with disabilities
I've learned that healing myself helps me remember what it was like to be a child—those intense emotions and how monumental small things seemed. This perspective is invaluable; it allows me to empathize deeply with my children's experiences, helping me connect with them on a more genuine level.
And tackling my own old wounds and patterns, opens up space—space that's now filled with love and compassion. This shift has allowed me to be more present and understanding with my children, especially during challenging times. It's like healing your physical body—the healthier you are, the more you can offer support to others. It's a journey, of course, but every step towards healing myself has helped me in parenting.
First steps to take if you’re new to healing work
A good first step is awareness. And you can start to gain that awareness by implementing a practice like morning pages, where you freely write out your thoughts each morning. Too often, we’re just operating on autopilot. This journaling technique is a powerful tool of self-reflection that helps you release emotions and become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. Another step you can take, is adding a few minutes of meditation or mindfulness to your routine, helping you tune into your body's wisdom on what needs healing. These set the stage for more healing.
DIY approach to healing vs working with someone or in community
For years, a lack of resources led me to a DIY approach to healing, and there’s definitely a place for that, and I’m grateful for that time. But, there’s a lot of value in community and external guidance in healing. In the episode, Shailynn talks about the importance of being witnessed during the healing process. This witnessing, whether by a coach, therapist, or a supportive community, offers a unique perspective that can profoundly aid in personal growth and healing. While we all possess the internal tools necessary for healing, the external support helps us see and navigate our blind spots.
What if you’re resistant to healing work?
It’s okay. It's totally normal to feel hesitant about starting the healing process. Everyone moves at their own speed, and sometimes feeling resistant just means you're not quite ready to tackle certain things yet. As you get more comfortable and start to trust the healing process a bit more, you'll likely find that resistance starts to fade away.
An Integrative Processing Technique success story
Shailynn shared a story of a woman that came to her initially seeking help to overcome her fear of dogs. But sometimes healing takes unexpected turns as the wisdom of the body prioritizes the different layers of healing in a specific way. During the session, the woman revisited childhood memories and visualized being surrounded by light.
At the next session, she excitedly explained that for the first time in a long time, she was able to be out after dark. You see, for years, she wasn’t able to be away from her house at night. She was afraid of being out after dark. It constrained her life, forcing her to be home before sunset. But after that session, she felt liberated from her nighttime fears, allowing her to enjoy walks at dusk for the first time in years. It’s a wonderful example of how this healing modality can help you process the past for a more empowered future.
Let’s Connect
Thanks for tuning in today!
You can learn more about Shailynn Brown and the Integrative Healing Technique on her Instagram and Tiktok at @intuitive.healing.shai
I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever had a moment of clarity about your past that changed how you see things now? What was it like? You can send me a DM on Instagram at @maybethiswillbethecure.
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Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast & the show notes is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your physician before making any changes to your health plan. The host, Megan, is not a healthcare provider. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional for your individual needs.