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Writer's pictureStacy Ruse, LPC

Embracing Inner Strength and Healing: IFS Therapy, Archetypes, & Therapeutic Tarot

In the practice of therapeutic tarot, the Major Arcana cards serve as profound guides for self-discovery, healing, and personal growth. Among these archetypes, the Strength card stands as a beacon of inner power, courage, and calmness. This article explores the Strength archetype and its relevance to trauma-informed therapy, deep healing, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, providing practical guidance for therapists and clients to harness its healing potential.

Courage & Strength
Strength Meets Love & Compassion

Understanding the Tarot's Strength Card Therapuetically:

The Strength card represents the Higher Self's ability to connect to calmness, courage, and the power of gentle, yet effective influence. It embodies qualities of quiet strength, graceful Self-leadership, and authentic presence. This card encourages us to face truths and realities, even when they are difficult, and to embody our light with confidence and poise. The Strength card teaches us to speak from the heart, with compassion and love, guiding us forward with mindful awareness and purity of heart.


The Tarot's Strength Card and Trauma-Informed Therapy:

Trauma-informed therapy emphasizes creating a safe, supportive environment where individuals can heal from past traumas. The themes of the Strength card—calmness, courage, and compassionate leadership—align beautifully with this approach, offering valuable insights for both therapists and clients.


Key Points:

  • Calmness and Courage: Trauma can evoke intense emotions and anxiety. The Strength card encourages clients to find inner calm and courage to face their fears and heal from their wounds.

  • Authentic Presence: Trauma survivors often struggle with feelings of invisibility or being misunderstood. The Strength card emphasizes the importance of being seen and heard, fostering a sense of authenticity and self-worth.

  • Compassionate Leadership: Therapists can embody the qualities of the Strength card by leading with heart and compassion, creating a nurturing space for clients to explore their traumas and heal.


The Tarot's Strength Card and IFS Therapy:

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, focuses on understanding and harmonizing the various parts of our psyche. The Strength card, with its emphasis on calmness, courage, and authenticity, resonates deeply with the principles of IFS therapy.


Key Points:

  • Speaking from Self: In IFS therapy, the Self is seen as a source of calm, compassionate, and confident leadership. The Strength card embodies this Self-energy, encouraging clients to speak their truth with poise and patience.

  • Integration of Parts: Just as the Strength card teaches us to face truths with courage, IFS therapy helps clients confront and heal wounded parts of themselves, integrating these parts into a cohesive whole.

  • Compassionate Healing: The Strength card promotes healing through compassion and love, aligning with IFS therapy’s emphasis on understanding and embracing all parts of ourselves.



Jungian Archetypes of Self, Strength, & Courage:

From a Jungian perspective, the Strength card can be seen as an archetype of the Hero’s Journey, representing the stage where the hero must confront their inner demons with courage and compassion. Carl Jung’s work emphasizes the importance of integrating various aspects of the psyche to achieve wholeness, and the Strength card embodies this process of gentle, yet powerful self-confrontation and healing.


Key Points:

  • Hero’s Journey: The Strength card represents the hero’s stage of confronting inner challenges with courage and grace, embodying the determination needed for personal growth and transformation.

  • Integration: Jungian psychology focuses on the integration of the conscious and unconscious mind. The Strength card symbolizes this integration, encouraging individuals to embrace their inner power and heal their wounds.

  • Self-Actualization: The Strength card’s journey is one of self-actualization, where individuals align their actions with their true self and higher purpose, embodying their light and authenticity.


Therapeutic Value in Modern Life:

In our fast-paced modern world, the Strength card offers valuable lessons and guidance for achieving balance, inner calm, and authentic presence. It encourages us to lead with compassion, face our challenges with courage, and speak our truth with grace.


Key Points:

  • Balance and Calm: The Strength card reminds us to maintain inner calm and balance, recognizing the importance of gentle, yet effective influence in our lives.

  • Courage and Authenticity: In the face of challenges and adversity, the Strength card encourages us to stay true to ourselves, speaking our truth and embodying our light with confidence.

  • Compassionate Leadership: The Strength card empowers us to lead with heart and compassion, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for ourselves and others.




Practical Application: Strength Visualization Exercise

One effective tool to integrate the Strength card’s wisdom into therapeutic practice is the Strength Visualization Exercise. This meditation can help clients and therapists connect with their inner calmness, courage, and authenticity, fostering a sense of empowerment and healing.


Steps:

  1. Create a Sacred Space: Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Take several deep breaths to center yourself.

  2. Visualize the Strength Card: Imagine the Strength card before you, symbolizing calmness, courage, and gentle power. Feel the presence of this inspiring archetype.

  3. Reflect on Your Inner Strength: Think about a challenge or fear you are currently facing. Consider how you can approach this with calmness, courage, and authenticity.

  4. Embrace Self-Energy: Visualize the Self-energy within you, radiating calmness and strength. Imagine this energy guiding you forward, helping you face your challenges with grace and compassion.

  5. Affirmation: Repeat the mantra: “I use my strength, courage, and confidence for good in this world.” Feel the empowerment and confidence in these words.

  6. Reflect: Take a few moments to reflect on any insights or feelings that arose during the meditation. Journal about your experience if it feels right.


Evidence-Based Support:

  • Trauma-Informed Therapy: Research highlights the importance of creating safe, supportive environments for trauma survivors. The Strength card’s focus on calmness and courage aligns with these principles, promoting a compassionate approach to healing (Sweeney et al. 2018; Mathenson et al, 2020)

  • IFS Therapy: Studies on IFS therapy show its effectiveness in treating trauma-related symptoms by helping clients integrate and harmonize their internal parts (Schwartz, 2019; Mok, 2023).

  • Mindfulness and Empowerment: Research indicates that mindfulness practices can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma, while empowering individuals to take control of their healing journey (Kabat-Zinn, 2003; Magee, 2012; Sawyer, 2023 ).


Resources for Further Exploration:

  • Books:

  • "Internal Family Systems Therapy" by Richard C. Schwartz provides a comprehensive guide to IFS therapy.

  • "The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma" by Bessel van der Kolk explores holistic approaches to trauma healing.

  • "Tarot and Psychology: Spectrums of Possibility" by Arthur Rosengarten offers insights into integrating tarot with psychological practices.

  • Online Resources:

  • The Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute (https://www.traumacenter.org/) offers resources and training on trauma treatment.

  • The Internal Family Systems Institute (https://ifs-institute.com/) provides information, workshops, and training on IFS therapy.

  • Insight Timer (https://insighttimer.com/) is a meditation app with guided practices for mindfulness and empowerment.

  • Professional Organizations:

  • The American Psychological Association (APA) offers resources on trauma psychology and evidence-based therapies (https://www.apa.org/).

  • The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) provides education and networking for professionals working with trauma survivors (https://www.isst-d.org/).


By embracing the wisdom of the Strength card, therapists and clients can foster a deeper sense of inner calm, courage, and authenticity on their healing journey. The Strength card invites us all to lead with compassion, face our challenges with grace, and speak our truth with confidence and love.


References

Magee, R. V. (2021). The inner work of racial justice: Healing ourselves and transforming our communities through mindfulness. Penguin.


Matheson, K., Asokumar, A., & Anisman, H. (2020). Resilience: safety in the aftermath of traumatic stressor experiences. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 14, 596919.


Mok, C. H. B. (2023). Internal family systems therapy (IFS): A compassionate approach to therapy. Counselling & Psychotherapy Review Singapore, 1(01), 29-34.


Sawyer, A. T., Bailey, A. K., Green, J. F., Sun, J., & Robinson, P. S. (2023). Resilience, insight, self-compassion, and empowerment (RISE): A randomized controlled trial of a psychoeducational group program for nurses. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 29(4), 314-327.


Sweeney A, Filson B, Kennedy A, Collinson L, Gillard S. A paradigm shift:

relationships in trauma-informed mental health services. BJPsych Adv. 2018 Sep;24(5):319-333.


With love, AGLOW


Stacy Ruse, LPC, RYT, EMDR & IFS Consultant


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AGLOW is a global hub for therapists and the world. Led by trauma expert Stacy Ruse, LPC, providing courses, consultation, and counseling services. And newly added AglowYoga with free practices for all. Specializing in EMDR, IFS, Yoga, & Transpersonal therapies to inspire therapists and individuals alike.


Stacy Ruse, LPC, is an esteemed Evergreen EMDR & IFS-Institute Consultant, Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), and founder of Aglow Counseling. Stacy teaches a therapeutic style that is characterized by the art of EMDR & IFS therapies with a transpersonal twist, transcending the conventional boundaries of traditional therapy. Her holistic approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit allowing individuals to tap into their innate resilience and ignite their personal transformation journey. As a trauma expert, national and international trainer, and clinical consultant, Stacy's approach is deeply rooted in trauma-informed methodologies.


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