Most multiples
have a few of these, mostly to counterbalance the persecutor type of
personalities and sometimes any suicidal personalities.
The degree of
control they have varies and can increase as therapy progresses.
There are a
variety of ways these personalities protect the person – some may simply
protect the body from external harm, some may be responsible for the internal
workings of the system, some may abort or sabotage any self-destructive
behaviours.
They may also
provide all kinds of other support such as academic or work performance, mature
reasoning, social competence, or parenting skills.
They are the
ultimate expression of self-love and self-respect.
They are
nurturers and comforters.
They may be
guardian angels. They may take on a magical or mystical element to help the
child feel more powerful than their abusers. (I had Gabriel the Archangel as
one of my protectors.)
Some
protectors may be more neutral, are simply observers who tend to have little or
no feeling. They have no direct stake in the outcome of therapy. Instead, they
simply record and retain memories.
