Kjersti Olstad, PhD, specialist in clinical pedagogy, supervisor and registered IoPT trauma therapist. She works with trauma and relationship understanding in encounters with children, youth, adults, and families.
She also currently holds a 50% position as Associate Professor at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences.
How do early relational experiences leave their mark on identity, attachment, and self-understanding? This study examines three self-encounters conducted using the IoPT methodology to explore how trauma biography, survival strategies, and inner divisions are expressed. By connecting IoPT, attachment theory, and regulation research, the paper highlights how individuals can move from control and adaptation toward increased self-contact, integration, and inner security. The study provides insight into how self-encounters can contribute to a deeper understanding of identity development and trauma processing.
