PICT

Parks Inner Child Therapy

Lindsay is a former Director and Training Lead for PICT Training, appointed by Penny Parks*.  In addition to PICT (therapy), she provides consultancy and supervision* to PICT practitioners and others working to resolve the legacies of trauma.

PICT integrates imagery rescripting, CBT, TA and NLP to facilitate resolution of a wide range of issues. Originally developed to help those struggling with the legacies of childhood abuse, it has since proven effective with a much broader range of problems – including depression, anxiety, self-harm, low self-esteem, eating disorders and more.

The PICT model offers compassionate and effective support to individuals as they work towards measurable gains without the need to disclose details.

Theory

PICT theory proposes that issues we are unable to resolve with rationale and logic are linked to unresolved past experiences and mistaken beliefs.  These are generally developed in our childhood, when natural immaturity, lack of support, and/or harmful experiences contributed to the formation of feelings, behaviours and beliefs that prevent us from moving forward, feeling good about ourselves and life, and fulfilling our potential.

Underpinning the work, PICT therapists work with an understanding that

“The type of person you wish you were is who you really are,
but haven’t yet learnt to be”
– Penny Parks

What happens in PICT therapy?

PICT offers a supportive, flexible and structured approach to therapy.  It includes measurements for assessing challenges and gains, information sharing, imagery rescripting for trauma resolution, and anger, grief and relapse prevention interventions.  It enables clients to work purposefully and collaboratively.  It is available in two formats – as a standard weekly/fortnightly therapy or as PICT Quick Change.

Standard therapy sessions are usually 90 minutes in length and take place weekly or fortnightly.

Quick Change Therapy (QC) is characterised by longer 4-hour sessions, generally completed over 5-6 days, subject to negotiation between client and therapist.  QC is especially helpful for clients who are ready for change work.  It enables them to work through major obstacles in a shorter space of time, without the need for ongoing appointments or complications of weekly scheduling.  Like standard therapy QC includes initial assessment, and follow-up post therapy.

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“Lindsay is a genuinely gifted psychotherapist and trainer.
She is thorough, caring, knowledgeable, supportive and keeps her sense of humour close at hand.

 I have full confidence in Lindsay’s professionalism, her knowledge and application of the model, and in her character.
She knows the way out when you feel stuck; she has not been intimidated by my knowledge of PICT and as an insightful listener, she has guided me without speaking down to me. She is honest with me, and has treated me with respect, fairly in deeds as well as words.”  – Penny Parks

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A model of therapy: PICT was developed by Penny Parks as she journeyed to find her own resolution for childhood trauma.  Penny wrote two books in the early 90’s (links below) to share her learning both with individuals looking for self-help and with therapists hoping to help survivors of abuse.

Penny continued to refine the model until her death in 2020; its insights and interventions remain at the leading edge of therapy, integrating CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), imagery rescripting, TA (Transactional Analysis, focusing on child, parent and adult ways of relating), and NLP (neurolinguistic programming) techniques.

*Pause for thought…

I led and delivered training in Parks Inner Child Therapy, including the PICT Diploma between 2009-2022. It has been my privilege to see the healing and empowering effects of PICT in the lives of clients, as well as its profound impact on professionals over the years. Appointed Program Director by Penny (Parks), it was also my privilege to collaborate with and to support her prior to her death in the summer of 2020. We lost an awesome talent and a remarkable innovator; I lost a great friend, supporter and encourager.

I am no longer involved with Penny Parks Training nor with recent developments of the PICT training program or model.  It remains my hope that PICT will continue to touch lives – personal and professional – and to maintain its standing for resolving the legacies of trauma with empathy and excellence. Having completed training for the delivery of PICT, inner child therapy and supervision, both with Penny and independently, I am happy to continue offering consultation and supervision.  I can be contacted directly by email: cornerstoneintegratedtherapy@gmail.com

Amazon: Penny Park’s Amazon page