The InteMind Method® is an integrative approach to understanding human experience, transformation and flourishing, developed by psychotherapist and educator Madelaine Vallin.
The foundations of the method have been developed, applied and taught for more than a decade, beginning through Madelaine’s therapeutic work and the education of practitioners at the Australian School of Holistic Counselling. The InteMind Institute is now the home of the method and its continued development.
InteMind brings together two important areas of human experience: understanding what contributes to suffering and disconnection, and understanding what helps us develop and flourish.
How Does the InteMind Method® Work?
The InteMind Method is based on the Theory of Belonging, which proposes that the drive to belong is fundamental to human experience and a powerful influence on how we think, feel, behave and relate.
InteMind considers belonging across three interconnected areas: Self, Others and Beyond.
Self refers to our connection with who we are, including our needs, values, identity and inner experience.
Others refers to belonging within our relationships, families, communities and wider social world.
Beyond refers to our connection with something larger than ourselves, which may be experienced through meaning, purpose, nature, creativity, spirituality, culture or contribution.
Our drive to belong can be a source of connection, meaning and wellbeing. It can also contribute to suffering. We may suppress parts of ourselves to maintain acceptance from others, remain in relationships or roles because of the belonging they provide, or experience significant distress when an important source of belonging is threatened or lost.
InteMind therefore looks not only at whether we belong, but how we belong.
The method helps identify where there may be connection, disconnection or conflict across Self, Others and Beyond, and how these experiences may be influencing a person’s current difficulties.
InteMind also recognises that understanding a problem does not necessarily change it. We may know why we behave in a particular way and still find ourselves repeating the same pattern. The method therefore considers the different levels at which our experiences and patterns are held, helping to identify where deeper transformation may be needed.
Alongside understanding difficulty, InteMind asks another important question: what helps a human being flourish?
The method uses six principles of human flourishing — Balance, Resilience, Adaptability, Integration, Simplicity and Synergy (BRAISS).
These principles explore our capacity to find harmony rather than perfect balance, move through difficulty, adapt to changing circumstances, integrate our experiences, create space for what matters, and recognise that flourishing does not happen in isolation.
Together, these different perspectives allow InteMind to consider both what may be contributing to suffering and what can be cultivated to support greater flourishing.
How Can the InteMind Method Help?
People do not need to be in crisis to benefit from the InteMind Method.
The work can be used to understand recurring patterns, experiences of disconnection or not belonging, relationship difficulties, periods of significant change, conflicts between our own needs and the expectations of others, or ways of living that no longer feel right.
It can also support people who are functioning well but want to understand themselves more deeply and explore what greater connection, meaning and flourishing might look like in their lives.
Rather than focusing only on removing a problem, InteMind considers the person as a whole. The aim is to understand what may be happening beneath the presenting difficulty, support meaningful transformation where it is needed, and strengthen the capacities that help the individual navigate life more effectively.
Because belonging and flourishing are individual, the work does not prescribe one ideal way to live. What creates connection, meaning and harmony for one person may be very different for another.
Key Approaches and Techniques
The InteMind Method® incorporate specific frameworks, tools and practices designed to support understanding, transformation and human flourishing. These include:
A conceptual and practical mapping tool used to identify patterns of belonging, disconnection and conflict across Self, Others and Beyond.
The Four Levels of Transformation™
A model used to understand the different levels at which patterns are held and where meaningful transformation may need to occur.
BRAISS Principles® of Human Flourishing
A six-part framework used to assess and develop the capacities that support human flourishing.
Belonging Catalysts
A practical framework for identifying the individual experiences, relationships and environments that strengthen a person’s sense of connection and belonging.
Ego States/ Parts Work
An experiential approach used to work with different parts of Self, including inner conflict, unmet needs and patterns that may sit outside conscious awareness.
Mindfulness and Mind–Body Practices
Practices used to develop awareness of internal experience and strengthen the connection between thoughts, emotions, bodily responses and behaviour.
Creative and Experiential Practices
Methods that use creativity, imagery, expression and lived experience to support insight, integration and transformation beyond conversation alone.
How to Experience the InteMind Method®
There are two ways to explore the InteMind Method® more deeply:
Private Personalised Sessions
Experience InteMind through private one-to-one work tailored to your individual needs, experiences and goals.
Study the InteMind Method®
Explore the theory, principles and practical application of InteMind through professional education with the InteMind Institute.