The Poisoned Parrot
Your inner critic
The Poisoned Parrot represents that relentless inner critic that seems to have taken up permanent residence in many of our minds. This harsh internal voice is often our most persistent companion, quick to point out our flaws, predict disaster, remind us why we're "not good enough," or replay our mistakes on endless repeat. By giving this voice a distinct name and image, we can begin the crucial work of separating ourselves from these critical thoughts.
The parrot metaphor is particularly apt because parrots repeat phrases without truly understanding their meaning or questioning their accuracy. Similarly, our inner critic often mindlessly recycles old criticisms, past hurts, or inherited negative beliefs without examining whether they're actually true or helpful in our current situation. The "poisoned" aspect reflects how these repetitive thoughts can contaminate our self-perception and overall wellbeing.
How We Use It in Sessions: During therapy, we learn to identify when the Poisoned Parrot is speaking. You might notice its familiar phrases: "You're not clever enough," "Everyone thinks you're boring," "You'll definitely mess this up," or "You should be doing better by now." Once you can recognise the Parrot's voice, you can begin to observe it with curiosity rather than automatically believing everything it says.
We practice techniques for responding to the Parrot—sometimes this involves challenging its statements with evidence, other times it's about acknowledging its presence without engaging in debate. The goal isn't to silence the Parrot entirely (which would be impossible), but to reduce its influence over your daily life and decision-making.
Therapeutic Benefits:
Externalises self-critical thoughts, making them easier to observe objectively
Helps distinguish between helpful self-reflection and destructive self-criticism
Provides a memorable way to catch negative thought patterns in daily life
Reduces the emotional impact of critical thoughts by creating distance from them
Empowers you to choose which internal voices deserve your attention