Identifying Your Family Role: A Somatic Exploration

Many of us grew up learning who we needed to be in order to belong, stay safe, or keep the peace.

Without realizing it, our bodies adapted.

We became the Caretaker, the Peacemaker, the Golden Child, the Scapegoat, or the Invisible One — not because something was wrong with us, but because our nervous systems learned what worked.

Understanding the role you played is often the foundation of healing.
Not because it defines you — but because it helps you recognize what your body learned to do in order to survive and stay connected.

This gentle, body-based healing circle is a supportive place to begin — or to return to — no matter where you are in your healing journey.

The Five Family Roles We'll Explore
We’ll explore these roles somatically — through posture, breath, and sensation — rather than analysis or labels:

• The Caretaker / Hero — the one who managed, fixed, or held everything together
• The Peacemaker / Fawner — the one who smoothed, softened, or stayed agreeable
• The Golden Child — the one who performed, achieved, or upheld the family image
• The Scapegoat — the one who carried blame, spoke truth, or expressed what the others couldn't
• The Invisible / Lost Child - the one who learned not to need, not to ask, or not to take up space

You may recognize yourself in one role, several roles, or different roles at different times.

This is normal.

These were not choices — they were adaptive responses.

What We'll Explore Together

• How family roles form in the body and nervous system
• How to recognize your role through sensation rather than self-judgment
• Why awareness of your role creates clarity, not limitation
• How identifying your role becomes the first step toward becoming a cycle breaker

What To Expect
This is a slow, supportive somatic experience. We’ll move gently through:

• Nervous system grounding and settling
• Body awareness and internal inquiry
• Short somatic teaching on family roles
• Guided reflection and optional journaling
• Gentle release and integration

You’re always in choice. Sharing is optional, and there’s no pressure to “figure it all out.”

Led by: Natalie Bussell
Somatic Healing & Embodiment Coach | NB Holistic Health
Trauma-informed. Nervous-system aware. Body-based healing.