The four Conditions of Ego States,

‘Normal, Conflicted, Retro, and Vaded’

and the therapeutic response
to each condition

Gordon Emmerson, PhD

Honorary Fellow, Victoria University
Melbourne Australia

GordonJEmmerson@GMAIL.COM
What is being presented
 Ego States Etiology
 The four conditions they may

exhibit
 Interventions for each ego state
condition
Ego State Personality
Theory
Ego State personality theory is based on
the concept that the personality is not
one homogenous whole, but is
composed of a number of parts.
These parts are termed ego states
because when a state is out, or
conscious, we identify that part of us as,
"me." That is, we consistently have ego
identification with the conscious state.
 Ego States
 An ego state
is a neural
pathway of
dendrite and axon connections and is
created by neural growth and recurring
synaptic firings.
 It is a division of the personality holding
a relative level of intellect, fear,
affection, and ability.
 Time of Ego State formulation
 It is primarily during the development of the
brain in the early years that ego states form, but
even later in life the brain is a dynamic and
changing organ.
 Most coping
challenges in
later life are
handled with
existing ego
states.
 An ego state is executive when the
individual is currently experiencing
from that state.
 An individual in an intellectual state
may demonstrate little emotion, while
an individual in a fragile childhood
state may demonstrate much emotion.
 Ego states enrich in different ways.
 Communication between
states
 The level of communication between ego
states depends on the synaptic
connections that enable the transmission
of information.
 Serface states normally communicate well
together.
 Underlying states may communicate poorly
with surface states.
 Alters synaptic connections have atrophied.
Neuron Communication
Neurons communicate sending
messages through synapses
 Ego State Creation

 During early childhood, if the child is nurturing to a

parent and receives positive feedback for this
nurturing behaviour, the child may return over and
over again to this nurturing behaviour to receive the
positive feedback.
 This repetition of nurturance can create a nurturing
ego state; that is, a neural pathway made by axon
and dendrite connections and trained synaptic firing
that may be activated in the future when the person
wants positive feedback.
We have lots of ego states
 They can be thought of as mood states,
work states, or intellectual states.
 If one of our states does not like
another one, it might say things like,
 “I hate myself when I am like that,” or
“I wish I did not do those things.”
Ego States may be
 Normal Functioning
 Functions with a positive role to the benefit of other
states and the person.
 Vaded
 Overcome by negative experience to the point where it
can no longer conduct its role. This state may interfere
with the life of the individual when it comes to the
executive.
 Retro Functioning
 Has a role that is opposed to other states or opposed to
the benefit of the person.
 Conflicted
 Is in conflict with another state to a degree that is
problematic to the client.
Ego States in the Normal
Condition
 A normal ego state is not in conflict
internally with other ego states, has not
taken on negative affect, and continues
to operate in a way that is beneficial to
the person externally. Many people
have a ‘work’ state that is normal, and
it is appropriate for all states to move
toward normality.
 Ego States in a conflicted
condition
 While it is appropriate for ego states to hold
different opinions such as I want that new
car, and I cannot afford that new car, they
are considered conflicted when the level of
disagreement between the states creates an
anxiety for the person.
 The statement, “I hate myself when I am l
am like that” is an example of ego states in
conflict.
Ego States in a conflicted
condition
 Procrastination is an example of
conflicted states, with one state
wanting to work and another state
choosing not to work.
 The fight between sleeping and thinking
is another example with one state
wanting rest and another state wanting
time to process.
Ego States in a conflicted
condition
 Chronic Fatigue is often associated with
conflicted ego states.
 Active states will often resent rest states
and continue to resist them.
 The body can become so run down that
when a rest state takes over it may hold
the executive by limiting energy to active
states.
 Balanced compromise requires focused
negotiation.
Ego States in a conflicted
condition
 Conflicted states need to learn the
value of the other state, need to create
a direct inner dialogue and need to
agree to compromise with time and
decision making.
 It is imperative that conflicted states
learn to respect each other and their
respective roles to move to normality.
 Ego States in a Vaded
Condition
 A Vaded ego state is holding an anxiety
producing level of fear or rejection.
 Vaded states are the underlying cause of
psychological addictions, panic disorder,
OCD, PTSD, and situational neuroses.
 These are the tender, reactive parts of the
personality that feel out of control.
 They need to gain a sense of
empowerment, safety, support and love.
Ego States in a Vaded
Condition
 Vaded states are characterized by
emotion that does not fit the current
setting.
 Emotional displays that do not fit the
current setting is evidence of a vaded
state in the executive.
 Ego States in a Vaded
Condition
 The fear or rejection experience of the vaded
state is based on a past experience that is no
longer happening, but the vaded state holds
the illusion that it is still happening.
 When an executive vaded state can internally
express itself to what was provocative,
internally remove the provocative factor, and
receive support from a nurturing state it can
move to normality.
Ego States in a Vaded
Condition
 A vaded ego state may also be
conflicted.
 One ego state may be upset at the
emotionality of a vaded state and wish
it was not there.
Ego States in a retro condition
 A retro ego state is a state that learned
an original coping skill or role that no
longer works with the person. A retro
state is one that has worked to the
benefit of the person in the past but no
longer continues to do so even though
it is doing the same thing.
Ego States in a retro condition
 Retro states need negotiation so that
they can alter their role or take up a
smaller role for the benefit of the
person.
 A rage state learn to only come to the
executive when the body is physically in
danger, allowing an assertive state to
more often assume the executive.
Ego States in a retro condition
 Retro states will always also be
conflicted because what they are doing
is not liked by other states.
 When they take up their new role or
changed role other states will be able to
appreciate them, thus ending the
conflict.
The difference between a
vaded and a retro state
 Vaded states demonstrate fear or rejection.
 Vaded states feel out of control.
 Vaded states feel injured.
 Retro states demonstrate coping techniques
that no longer work.
When a client presents an
issue we need to determine:
 Is this issue one that is
related to:
 a conflicted state,
 a retro state or

 a vaded state.
Assessing the Client’s Problem
Clinical psychologists often use the DSM to
assess and diagnose clients. This process of
diagnosis can be useful, although some
studies indicate a low reliability among
different psychologists who diagnose the
same clients (Harrison, 2001).
Humanist psychologists, such as Person
Centered and Gestalt therapists, often view
clients as too individually dynamic to
diagnose into the pigeonholes of the DSM-
IVtr.
Ego State Assessment
A major difference exists between a DSM diagnosis
and ego state assessment. While the DSM
diagnosis places the client into a category, the
ego state assessment places each problem of
the client into a category.
Ego state assessment is merely used to help
determine the course of therapy for each
presenting concern, and is not seen as a label
for the client.
If the therapist has reason to also diagnose a client
using the DSM, of course, this diagnosis may be
used in conjunction with the ego state
assessment.
The Ego State Assessment
Method
Internal Dissent (for example, two or more states are not agreeing – no
peace within. One state may want to rest while another state may
want to work).
Difficulty with a situational concern that is connected to an
unresolved issue from the past (for example, the client is
responding to a current situation in a manner that is inconsistent
with the normal response to that situation).
Difficulty dealing with a situational concern related merely too a
current difficult problem (for example, the client is having
difficulty managing a relationship with a teenage son or daughter).
Needing information or education (for example, about what can be
expected during grieving, or about finding what community services
are available).
Needing help to bring resources to needs (for example, the client is
interested in improving performance).
Medical referral (for example, the client presents issues that may require
medication, or medical attention).
Techniques
 There are different techniques
depending if the issue is related to a
Vaded state, a conflicted state or a
retro state.
When working with any condition
Note: Ego states like to be liked
 Our ego states are us.
 Whenever we speak an ego state is
talking.
 We like to be liked, therefore our ego
states like to be liked.
 The therapist needs to speak to each
ego state with respect.
Working conflicted states
 1. Get a clear understanding of
the division and of the states
involved and provide chairs for
each state.
 2. Make clear which state will
set in each chair.
Working conflicted states
 3. Listen to everything each
state has to say.
 4. Help each state to see the
value of both states.
 5. Negotiate a mutual respect
for the roles of each state.
Working conflicted states
 6. Negotiate a way the states can
work together, encouraging states to
speak directly to each other.
 7. Suggest that the states continue
communicate directly with each
other.
 8. Debrief with the client.
Note: about working with
conflicted states
 A conflicted state may also be Vaded or
retro.
 If the client shows unusual emotion
that is an example of a Vaded state so
before attempting to finish resolving the
conflict work with the Vaded state.
 Likewise, if a conflicted state is found to
be retro resolve that issue before
continuing to resolving the conflict.
Note: about working with
conflicted states with chairs
 It is best to tell the client what is
expected regarding changing chairs,
rather than ask.
 Make sure to speak directly with the
states or introjects.
 Make sure the states or introjects speak
directly with each other.
 Working with a retro state
 1. Hear and show an understanding
for the problem the client is
presenting.
 2. Determine the ego state that the
client is in when the situational
problem occurs.
 3. Negotiate with the retro state to
either change its role or take up a
smaller role.
Working with a retro state
 3. Assist the client to determine
how he or she would prefer to
respond both internally and
externally.
 4. Assist the client to find a more
appropriate ego state to deal with the
problem.
Working with a retro state
 5. Facilitate ego state negotiation
so that the client will be able to
hear and understand the situational
problem from an appropriate state,
and so that the client will be able
to respond from an appropriate
state.
 6. Debrief with the client.
Note about working with retro
states.
 A retro state will often think it cannot
change or say it will not change.
 It is good to build a vision of value and
being liked by other states.
 Ask another state if it will like the retro
state if it changes.
 Then go back to the retro state and the
attitude about change will have
normally changed.
Vaded states
 Misplaced emotion means a Vaded
state.
 Panic disorder, PTSD, Addictions, OCD,
Feeling out of control, Self harming,
feeling unlovable or not good enough,
over competition.
 Feeling stuck and unable to show
potential.
Some examples of clients who have a
vaded state (misplaced emotion).

 The client becomes extremely nervous when stepping

into an elevator.
 The client has an unwanted response during sexually
intimate situations.
 The client becomes extremely upset when criticized
by an authority figure.
 The client becomes extremely nervous when
attempting to speak in front of the group.
 The client finds it impossible to be assertive.
 The client fears spending or handling money.
 The client feels compelled to purchase or compete.
Examples of things that can change a
normal state to a Vaded state

 A traumatic incident without closure.

 A incident of fear without closure.
 Can be calling for a parent who does not
come
 An incident of feeling unloved or not
good enough.
 An incident of being left or lost.
 An embarrassing classroom incident.
Bringing a Vaded state to
normality
 A Vaded state will become a normal
state when it lets go of its illusion that
the past is still present.
 To do this the state must first be
brought into the executive.
 Bridging takes the state to the OSE.
 Expression, Removal, Relief resolves the
state bringing it to normality.
Finding the right state to work
with
 It is impossible to bridge to the correct
state unless that ego state is currently
in the executive.
 Therefore it is imperative that the client
show signs of emotion prior to bridging.
 The therapist can bring out the Vaded
state by vivifying an event when it was
out.
Before Bridging
 Gather detailed information
concerning:
 when the problem was
experienced,
 multiple sensory cues associated
with the problem, and
 how the problem was
experienced:
Bridging
 Bridging is the process of using the negative
emotions of a client to bridge back to the
original time that ego state acquired these
emotions.
 It is the most artful technique in Ego State
therapy.
 Bridging is important because when the
original trauma is found it can be resolved,
thus freeing the client of future interference
of that trauma.
Step 1 in Bridging
 Use the detailed information that was
gathered to facilitate a current
experience of the unwanted symptoms.
 Ask where in the body this is felt most
and get a detailed discription of that
experience.
 Ask what emotion goes along with that
experience, then say
Then say:
 How old do you feel right now?
 Go to when you were that age and tell
me if you are inside a building or
outside.
 Are you alone or with someone else?
 Tell me exactly what is happening.
Alternatively:
 When you get a detailed description of
the part of the body where the feeling
is felt say:
 If you were sitting on the edge of that with
you feet down in it what would they feel
like in that area?
 Look down in that area at your feet and
tell me what they look like.
 With feet that age, with these feelings,
where are you?
If there is a resistant state:
 Ask the resistant state what it thinks
about the feeling state.
 Say to the feeling state, e.g., “Did you
hear that, that other part wishes you
were not here. That must not feel very
good. How does that make you feel?”
 The resistant state will want to hear the
answer so the feeling state can come
into the executive.
After Bridging
 After bridging it is good to get a
name for the ego state that is
speaking, so you will be able to
talk with that state directly and
call it back at a later time.
 Resolution is the next step.
When working with a Vaded
state
 It is not necessary for the client to go
into detail, but it is necessary for the
client experience the affect of the
vaded ego state.
Important for the therapist to
understand.
 A vaded state feels fear or rejection
from a past event, not from anything
that is currently physically present.
 The client holds an illusion that the
provocative factor holds power.
 The therapist needs to fully understand
that there is nothing to fear, so this
understanding is transmitted to the
client with voice tone.
Helpful statements
 “We know this is not really happening
right now, so you can say anything you
want.”
 “Is it OK if I say something first?”
 “Let’s just shrink him down to one inch
tall with a squeaky little voice. Don’t
step on him because I want you to be
able to say everything you want.”
Remember
 Introjects only hold the power given to
them by ego states.
 An ego state can change the size of an
introject.
 Ego state expression to an introject
affirms the power of the ego state.
 An empowered ego state can clear its
space by telling an introject to leave its
space.
The Expression, Removal and
Relief method to resolve Trauma
 This method releases the Ego State of
fear or rejection.
 It gives the client an experience of
empowerment.
 It frees a vaded state so it can resume
its normal role.
Expression
 When the vaded state is able to rise
above fear and say everything it would
like to say.
 By rising above fear, rising above what
had in the past seemed to big to face,
the fear is disempowered, and the client
is empowered.
Removal
 When the provocative factor that had
caused the fear is removed, or becomes
no longer provocative.
 What is imperative for removal to occur
is for there to be nothing left internally
that is continuing to cause a problem
for the previously traumatized state.
Relief
 When the previously traumatised state
becomes comfortable and happy.
 This may be helped by asking a
stronger or nurturing state to assist the
state that had been vaded.
 This helper state can stay with the
freed state to assist in relief.
Imagery to check success
 Have the client to return to the image
where negative feelings were previously
felt and see if they still occur.
 If the client no longer experiences
angst within this imagery then the
precipitating state has been resolved.
 If angst is experienced repeat bridging.
Key Messages
 Ego States are physical
 They exhibit varying conditions

that can change to normality

 There are specific interventions
for each condition and for each
issue.
Thank you
 GordonJEmmerson@GMAIL.com
 Slides can be downloaded from
 Egostatetherapy.com