Hello! I'm looking for resources on terms like "protector", "gatekeeper", "trauma holder", etc. I see them used but I've never seen a list with descriptions and I feel like that would be really helpful.
Protectors are system members who protect the body, system, host, core, or other specific system members or groups of system members. Physical protectors might take or try to prevent physical abuse or become aggressive in an attempt to defend against physical abuse. Verbal protectors might take verbal abuse or lash back verbally in order to counter verbal abuse. Emotional protectors might take emotional abuse or comfort other system members to soften the effects of emotional abuse.
Trauma Holdes are system members who hold memories that are traumatic in nature so that other system members don't have to deal with them.
A gatekeeper is a system member who controls switching, access to certain areas inside the headspace, or access to certain system members or memories. In Gateway systems, this can also refer to a system member whose job it is to watch over new system members trying to enter the system and either welcome them or deny them access. (However, we personally use Gate Handler for our “Gatekeepers” that deals with new members who enter through our Gate or others who want to).