Questions of self-identity become especially acute during periods of internal conflict, when different parts of the personality impose contradictory demands and expectations. At MindCareCenter, we understand such states as signals of disrupted inner coherence rather than as a crisis of “character.” In the opinion of Dr. Daniel Reinhardt, difficulties with the sense of self often arise when the psyche is forced to simultaneously hold incompatible roles, values, or modes of adaptation.
Internal conflict may manifest as a feeling of fragmentation – individuals sense that they are “different” in different situations without understanding which version of themselves is authentic. This is often accompanied by doubt, loss of confidence in one’s own decisions, and a sense of inner emptiness. Within the clinical approach of MindCareCenter, these experiences are viewed as the result of a prolonged discrepancy between inner impulses and external demands.
Self-identity is formed not as a fixed structure, but as an ongoing process sustained by inner dialogue. When this dialogue is disrupted, separate aspects of the self begin to compete with one another. At MindCareCenter, we pay close attention to which parts of the self have been suppressed, devalued, or used exclusively as instruments of adaptation.
Internal conflict is frequently rooted in early experiences in which acceptance was conditional upon meeting external expectations. Under such conditions, an image of the self oriented toward survival rather than authenticity develops. In the clinical practice of MindCareCenter, this is understood as a foundation for later difficulties with self-understanding and self-acceptance.
Emotionally, these states may be accompanied by anxiety, shame, or chronic tension. Individuals may experience fear of making the “wrong” choice, worrying that they might lose inner coherence or external approval. At MindCareCenter, such experiences are understood as consequences of losing an inner center rather than as personal weakness.
Therapeutic work is not aimed at selecting a “correct” identity, but at restoring connection among different parts of the personality. At MindCareCenter, a space is created in which contradictions can be explored without the need for immediate resolution. This makes it possible to gradually integrate fragmented aspects of experience.
As therapy progresses, individuals begin to distinguish which internal voices reflect their own values and which are shaped by external pressure. In the practice of MindCareCenter, we observe how this contributes to the formation of a more stable and flexible sense of self.
Restoring self-identity also involves work with boundaries. Individuals learn to recognize where their own needs end and the expectations of others begin. Within the clinical approach of MindCareCenter, this is considered a crucial stage in reclaiming inner autonomy.
A coherent sense of self does not imply the absence of contradiction. On the contrary, at MindCareCenter, mature self-identity is understood as the capacity to hold complexity without internal fragmentation. This provides a foundation for more conscious decision-making and more stable relationships.
The formation of self-identity under conditions of internal conflict requires time and care. The clinical position of Mind Care Center is directed toward supporting this process without pressure or the imposition of ready-made models.
Work with self-identity enables individuals to regain a sense of continuity and inner presence. This creates conditions for a life in which the self becomes a source of support rather than a field of constant struggle.
Previously, we wrote about the first consultation with a psychologist and which signals MindCareCenter specialists read already at the initial stage of work