The Russian Doll
Exploring the layers of self and how past experiences shape present reactions
The Russian Doll, or Matryoshka, serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding the complexity of human psychology and how we carry our entire life story within us. Just as each beautifully painted wooden doll contains progressively smaller versions nested inside, our adult self houses all the experiences, emotions, memories, and versions of who we've been throughout our lives.
This visual tool helps us explore the concept that we are not just our present-day selves, but a collection of all our past experiences. Your inner child—complete with their hopes, dreams, fears, and unmet needs—continues to live within you, influencing your adult reactions, relationships, and decision-making in ways you might not even realise.
How We Use It in Sessions: During therapy, we might examine which "doll" is responding in certain situations. When you feel triggered by criticism, is it your confident adult self responding, or perhaps the seven-year-old who was constantly told they weren't good enough? When you feel overwhelming anxiety about a presentation, are you drawing on your professional competence, or is the teenager who was once humiliated in front of peers taking charge?
The Russian Doll helps you recognise these different parts of yourself without judgement. Each layer represents a valid part of your experience, and understanding how they interact helps you respond to current situations with greater awareness, choice, and self-compassion. Sometimes your inner child needs comfort and reassurance before your adult self can function effectively.
Therapeutic Benefits:
Develops self-awareness about internal reactions
Reduces self-criticism by understanding the origins of responses
Helps identify which part of you needs attention in difficult moments
Encourages integration rather than rejection of past experiences
Provides a framework for healing old wounds whilst building present-day resilience