Lifespan Integration Learning Labs

When we affirm and validate the client's complex system’s way of getting this far via the timeline with a particular focus, it allows the system to affirm itself and update itself in light of the new information of time having passed. The Therapist's job is to tune into what defence needs stroking, rather than removing. The Plusses can be a great way of fine tuning a focus to allow this.

This Learning lab is in 2 parts. This Part 1 includes:

• The importance of honouring the protective system
• Explore the uses of Validation plusses, Agreeable / Disagreeable , Therapeutic Alliance and Survival Strengths
• Introduce a way of tuning in to the plusses of: Protector / Strategy and Belief plusses as a quadrant which includes with a hypothesised Core Belief (not to be used as a plus) to help inform potential plusses at the most palatable dose
• Case studies to apply this to
• Gather lists of plusses to help understand their particular purpose and finding the best one for your client

This learning lab focusses on therapeutic approaches and techniques, including discussions about attachment patterns, trauma processing, and body-based interventions. The group explored various therapeutic tools such as atmosphere work, generational trauma approaches, and the use of positive emotions in therapy, with participants sharing their experiences and insights. The session concluded with a demonstration of the "I am loving” core attachment truth during a therapeutic exercise, which helped participants connect with authentic self-expression and emotional balance. 

Demos and deeper dives into these protocols

We look at:

• The information gathering process
• Formulating positively framed, realistic goals
• How to achieve these goals (ie, what protocols, in what order and why)
• Questions that may help - like what is the client’s protective system doing, are we looking mainly at core building, trauma resolution or attachment repair or all 3?
• Case studies to practice on and some metaphors to illustrate our working hypothesis of what we are doing and why! 

• Bringing it all together -

The levels of LI training guides us through creating treatment plans for our clients and formulating ways to get there through the lens of complex systems theory. To inform our thinking, we have the assessment map, the 3 stages of LI Therapy, as well as the toolbox of protocols and how to use them. 

When we complete Level 4, we develop trusting the wisdom of the client’s complex living system more and more.

A bit like learning the guitar, if we try to improvise without knowing the chords it will sound awful. But if we learn the chords and they are internalised, we can now improvise in a creative way. 

This Learning Lab reminds us of the “chords” we have learned, when they should be used and why, through a more and more integrated knowing of humans as complex living systems. There will be a particular emphasis on working through and identifying the 3 stages.

• Exploring and showing a demo of this protocol in greater depth

• Exploring and showing a demo of this protocol in greater depth

Learning Lab: Complex Systems Theory & Practice in Lifespan Integration with Vajralila 

Online | Fundraiser for The Lifespan Integration Institute Open to anyone that has done a L1 LI Training or over About This Learning Lab 

Peggy Pace began exploring the use of repeated timelines in the early 2000s. Peggy’s background, for those who don’t know, includes a first degree in Chemistry, work in a biochemistry lab after university, and an MA in Psychology in Family Systems. This meant she intuitively understood that what she observed in her clients through timeline work was not random —  it reflected the principles of complex living systems reorganising themselves toward wholeness. 

Complex Systems Theory is the premise upon which Lifespan Integration (LI) is built. Understanding this helps us relate to each client’s unique system when doing timeline work, ensuring that we are truly working with their natural process of integration and   transformation. 

During this Lab, Vajralila shares her own journey — as a non-academic — into complex systems, which began over 25 years ago. Metaphor and exploration of core concepts of Complex Systems, including: 

• Homeostasis — the system’s natural drive toward balance 

• Entropy — why systems tend toward disorder, and how recognising this  helps us support integration rather than resist it 

• Positive and negative feedback loops — how systems learn and adapt 

• Self-organisation and emergence — how order arises from apparent chaos,  and the enduring mystery that this process happens spontaneously in living systems 

• Chaos and reorganisation — why disruption is often necessary for growth 

• Living systems — why truly living systems are complex, not complicated,  and why this matters 

A Fundraiser for The Lifespan Integration Institute 

All proceeds from this Learning Lab will go directly to The Lifespan Integration  Institute Fund, which supports bringing LI to impoverished and underserved communities around the world. 

Please be as generous as you can — but don’t let finances prevent you from  attending. My usual rate is £50; use this as a guide — consider less if low-waged, or more if affluent. 

How It Works 

1. Donate here: https://www.lifespanintegration.org/donate/ 

1. Email me to confirm your donation: vajralila@me.com 

Once I receive your email, I’ll send you the Zoom link for the Learning Lab.