Vol. 8 No. 2 (2026): April - June 2026
Integrated therapy

Trauma and psychotherapy: an integrated approach between transgenerational transmission, Gestalt therapy, Parts Model and Internal Family Systems

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  • Veronica Rosa
Veronica Rosa
A.S.P.I.C. - Association for the Development of the Individual and the Community, Rome, Italy; formerly Sapienza University of Rome, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Rome, Italy
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.32069/PJ.2021.2.305

Published 2026-06-26

Keywords

  • Transgenerational trauma, Epigenetics, Parts model, Internal family systems, Gestalt therapy, Structural dissociation, EMDR, Integrated approach.

How to Cite

Rosa, V. (2026). Trauma and psychotherapy: an integrated approach between transgenerational transmission, Gestalt therapy, Parts Model and Internal Family Systems. Phenomena Journal - International Journal of Psychopathology, Neuroscience and Psychotherapy, 8(2), 116–125. https://doi.org/10.32069/PJ.2021.2.305

Copyright (c) 2026 Veronica Rosa

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Abstract

This work represents an innovative contribution to the integration of complementary perspectives in understanding psychological trauma, with particular focus on the transgenerational dimension of traumatic transmission and therapeutic approaches. The novelty of this work lies in the hypothesis of integrating emerging epigenetic evidence with psychotherapeutic models based on structural dissociation, offering a theoretical-clinical framework that simultaneously recognizes the biological, psychological, and relational roots of trauma. While Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is established as a consolidated therapy for emergencies and collective traumas, Gestalt therapy and the Parts Model, with their integration, represent a promising and innovative hypothesis. Epigenetic research in recent years suggests that traumatic experiences not only leave lasting biological traces in direct survivors but may be transmitted to subsequent generations through modifications in DNA methylation and gene expression. These biological mechanisms intertwine with complex psychological and relational processes, creating transmission patterns that require sophisticated, multilevel therapeutic approaches. Gestalt therapy, with its emphasis on the “here and now,” body awareness, and contact, offers fundamental contributions. The Parts Model, particularly developed by Janina Fisher through the integration of sensorimotor psychotherapy with the theory of structural dissociation, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) by Richard Schwartz, offers complementary clinical frameworks to address trauma-induced fragmentation. This work proposes an integrated model that acknowledges the intergenerational roots of psychological distress and draws on inherited resources alongside vulnerabilities, opening new directions for both research and clinical practice.

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