We Are Ready to Begin Healing Ourselves
Category 2: Complex Traumas
For some time I treated a brilliant woman who had an extremely traumatic childhood. She was an adopted child in a very religious fami-ly. There was one natural child in the family, also a girl, who was treat-ed like a princess. My patient, on the other hand, was treattreat-ed like Cinderella. She was beaten, humiliated, and was in constant danger from her adoptive mother. Father was a pastor and often absent from the home. When he was present he assumed a passive role, and my client had no protector. In spite of her background, she grew up to become a highly educated and gifted professional. While at her peak, she became ill with a debilitating, progressive illness.
Several years later, I saw her in my office. Using Neurolinguistic Programming techniques, we had made progress. In the beginning of treatment, she could not recall details of her early childhood. (Amnesia is one of the symptoms of post traumatic stress). After several months,
she began to recover some of those memories (with no suggestions from me). I am careful not to implant false memories. Having just finished my first TFTTMtraining, I suggested that we try to eliminate some of the suffering she had experienced during her hcildhood which was now coming back to haunt her. She agreed, and we did our first trauma treatment, and it turned out successfully.
What she decided to do with the information was both creative and exciting. She took the trauma algorithm (I had written it out for her), home and posted it on the refrigerator door where she could easily see it.
She proceeded, on her own, to treat one traumatic incident after anoth-er. When she came in for her next weekly appointment, I knew some-thing was different. She explained what she had done and stated that she felt like a new person. Furthermore, treating several traumas appeared to have erased the pain of others that had not been treated, a not uncom-mon experience.
Working alone
1. Think about the trauma you want to eliminate.
2. Think about it as though it were happening now, (see it, what you say to yourself about it, feel the emotion). When you are ready:
3. Rate the intensity on a 10-point scale, 10 is severe stress, 1 means there is no trace of upset. Write down the number.
4. Tap firmly five times, with two fingers, on the eyebrow (next to the nose).
5. Tap firmly five times under the eye (on the bony part). Keep thinking about the problem.
6. Tap firmly five times under the arm (opposite the nipple area).
7. Tap firmly five times on the collarbone spot (one inch down from the V where the collarbone meets at the neckline and one inch over to either side).
8. Tap firmly on the little finger (side of finger next to nail facing the thumb).
9. Tap firmly five times again on the collarbone.
10. Tap firmly five times on the index finger (side of finger next to the nail facing the thumb).
11. Tap firmly five times on the collarbone.
12. Take a SUDS rate, and if it has decreased 2 or more points, continue with gamut (number 14).
13. If not, do the Specific PR, while continually tapping firmly on the K spot (side of the hand, between the little finger and the wrist). Go back to step 1.
14. Do the 9 gamut while continually tapping on the gamut point (hollow between the knuckles of the little finger and ring finger).
•Open your eyes
•Close your eyes
•Eyes down right
•Eyes down left
•Roll your eyes in one direction
•Roll them in the opposite direction
•Hum a few bars of a tune aloud
•Count to five aloud
•Hum again
15. Repeat the algorithm: eyebrow, under the eye, under the arm, collarbone, little finger, collarbone, index finger, collarbone.
16. Take another SUDS. If you are at a 1 or 2. Finish with the eye roll.
17. If not and you are at a three or more, do the Mini PR. Tap 5-10 times on the side of the hand (halfway between the knuckle of the little finger and the wrist). Go back to step 1
18. Finish with the eye roll.
19. In rare cases the SUDS rate will stay high or vacillate after the all the above steps have been completed. If so, try repeating the exercise (go back to step 1) only this time you will use the Deep Level PR followed, if necessary, by the Mini Deep Level PR. For this exercise, tapping is done under the nose, not on the K spot.
20. Finish with the eye roll.
Working with a partner
1. Choose a complex trauma you want to alleviate.
2. Think about it as though it were happening now, (see it, what do you say to yourself about it, feel the emotion). When you are ready:
3. Rate the intensity on a 10-point scale, 10 is severe stress, 1 means there is no trace of stress.
4. Extend your arm and say, “I want to get rid of this trauma.” Arm should test firm.
5. Test arm saying, “I want to keep this trauma.” Arm should test weak. If so, continue with the algorithm (number 7).
6. If not, tap 5-10 times on the K spot (side of the and halfway between the knuckle of the little finger and the wrist, and then continue.
7. Tap the eyebrow (spot nearest the nose). Tap firmly with two fingers, using your dominant hand. Do this five times.
8. Tap firmly five times under the eye (on the bony part). Keep thinking about the problem.
9. Tap firmly five times under the arm (opposite the nipple area).
10. Tap firmly five times on the collarbone spot (one inch down from the V where the collarbone meets at the neckline and one inch over to either side).
11. Tap firmly on the little finger opposite the nail and facing the thumb.
12. Tap firmly five times again on the collarbone.
13. Tap firmly five times on the index finger opposite the nail, facing the thumb.
14. Tap again on the collarbone.
15. Do the nine gamut while continually tapping on the hollow between the knuckles of the ring and the little finger.
•Open the eyes
•Close the eyes
•Move the eyes down right
•Move the eyes down left
•Roll your eyes in one direction
•Roll them in the opposite direction
•Hum a few bars of a song aloud
•Count to five aloud
•Hum again
16. Repeat the algorithm: eyebrow, under the eye, under the arm, collarbone, little finger, collarbone, index finger, collarbone.
17. Take another SUDS rate. If down to a 1 or 2, finish with the eye roll.
18. If above a 2 or if the SUDS rate is stuck or moving up and down again, do the following.
19. Extend the arm and say, “I want to be completely over this problem”
versus “I want to continue to have some of this problem.”
20. If reversed (arm weak on positive statement and strong on negative or strong or weak on both), do the Mini Specific PR. Tap 5-10 times on the K spot (side of the and halfway between the knuckle of the little finger and the wrist). Take another SUDS rate.
21. Most will be at a one or two and will finish with the eye roll.
22. Rarely, the SUDS rate will stay high or vacillate after the all the above steps have been completed. If so, try repeating the exercise, following the steps in exactly the same way, only this time you will use the Deep Level PR and, if necessary, the Deep Level Mini PR.
(Remember to tap under the nose, not on the K spot.) The arm tests are as follows:
23. Deep Level arm test: “I will get over this problem” versus “I will keep this problem.” Mini Deep Level arm test: “I will continue to have some of this problem” versus “I will get completely over this problem.”
24. SUDS does not goes down to a 1-2, you may have a toxin involved and need to consult someone trained in diagnosis.
Exercise 11 – Addictions
There are 8 possible alternative algorithms for urge reduction. First choice is number 1 with 7 alternate choices.
Addictions are epidemic in our society. One can be addicted to sub-stances, activities, and even to certain kinds of people. Addicts suffer from uncontrollable urges that can totally control their actions. Just passing a bakery (food), a bar, (alcohol), or a neighborhood where one can purchase drugs can spark the addiction. Sex addiction is not uncommon. Addictions can run in families, ruin relationships, cause business failures and add to the crime statistics. Underlying all urges is a feeling of stress and anxiety.
There is usually a pattern. I often suggest to my clients that they keep a diary for a week to see what is going on an hour or so before their urge is triggered. This is useful information for the addict and/or the therapist. It will be helpful in treating each and every trigger point indi-vidually and in diagnosing energy toxins, if any are present. RRT can eliminate an urge in minutes. However, even though the treatment works, there is a tendency for those afflicted to avoid doing one of two things which must be attended to, (1) psychological reversal is common after treatment has eliminated the urge and needs to be repeated, and (2) noncompliance, that is, the addict has the algorithm and PR tools to stop the urges, should they recur, but does not use them. It may be necessary to repeat the treatment more than once in some individuals, but over time this will become unnecessary.
It is also possible to use the treatment once and affect a cure. The reader needs to recognize that the addiction seems to the addict to be the solution to the immediate problem. The remorse and repercussions that follow act as triggers in a never ending loop of addiction, remorse, anxi-ety, and addiction. It is a very complex and powerful urge. The following is a description of an uncomplicated or simple urge and is an illustration that one can be addicted to all kinds of things.
Addictions come in all sorts of packages, even Starbucks’ frapucci-nos. Last year, a client was referred to me by another therapist for her addiction to using heavy cream in her coffee. She had gained a consid-erable amount of weight and it was bothering her. I wondered what kept her from using reduced fat cream or one of the lower fat creamers. “It just isn’t the same,” she said. I treated her for her addiction and did not see her for some time. Two months later she reappeared in the office just to tell me that she had lost fifteen pounds and was drinking her coffee black and “didn’t even miss using the cream at all.”
On a much more serious note, I was seeing a client who had a pres-tigious job with a Fortune 500 company and a serious cocaine addiction.
He had lost his long-term relationship to his addiction and was on the verge of bankruptcy. His employers were not yet aware of the problem
but, if he didn’t do something soon, they would be. His anxiety over the related problems only increased his dependence. I treated him and his urge disappeared. He was fine for several weeks, when it returned. For just this reason, I had sent a written algorithm home with him. I also taught him psychological reversal techniques and collarbone breathing to reduce his stress reactions.
However, he had not followed instructions. In the case of addictions, noncompliance is common. Since he had been free of any urge for cocaine for several weeks, he was aware of the change in his behavior.
Unfortunately, the weekend prior his return visit, he had relapsed. We redid the treatment. The second time was the charm. When I spoke with him again, several months later, he was paying off his debts and had ini-tiated a new relationship.
There are eight versions of the addiction algorithms included here.
The first is always the most common choice. However, one size does not fit all (everyone has his or her own energy patterns so addictions can often be complex). If the first choice does not eliminate the urge, try the others. I often recommend collarbone breathing, several times a day for addictive clients.
Addictions: First Choice Working alone
1. Choose an addiction you want to alleviate.
2. Think about it as though it were happening now (see it, notice what you say to yourself about it, feel the emotion). When you are ready:
3. Rate the intensity on a 10-point scale, 10 is severe stress, 1 means there is no trace of upset. Write down the number.
4. Tap firmly five times under the eye (bony part) with two fingers.
5. Tap firmly under the arm five times (opposite the nipple area).
Continue thinking about the problem.
6. Tap firmly on the collarbone point five times (down one inch from the V at the neckline and one inch over to the right or left).
7. Take a SUDS rate, and if it has decreased 2 or more points, continue with the gamut. (number 9)
8. If it has not decreased 2 or more points, do the Specific PR. Tap 5-10 times on the K spot (side of the and halfway between the knuckle of the little finger and the wrist. Go back to number 1.
9. Do the nine gamut treatments while continually tapping on the gamut point (hollow between the knuckles of the little finger and ring finger).
•Open your eyes
•Close your eyes
•Eyes down right
•Eyes down left
•Roll your eyes in one direction
•Roll them in the opposite direction
•Hum a few bars of a tune aloud
•Count to five aloud
•Hum again
10. Repeat the algorithm: eye, arm, collarbone.
11. Take a SUDS rating. If you are at a 1 or 2, finish with the eye roll.
12. If not at 1 or 2, do the Mini PR. Tap on the side of the hand, (halfway between the knuckle of the little finger and the wrist).
Return to step 1.
13. If the SUDS is still not down to a 1-2, repeat the exercise, tapping under the nose, instead of the K spot.
14. Finish with the eye roll.
Working with a partner
1. Choose an addiction you want to alleviate.
2. Think about it as though it were happening now, (see it, notice what you say to yourself about it, feel the emotion). When you are ready:
3. Rate the intensity on a 10-point scale, 10 is severe stress, 1 means there is no trace of stress.
4. Extend your arm and say, “I want to get rid of this problem,” (or you can name the type of problem). Arm should test firm.
5. Test arm saying, “I want to keep this problem,” (or name the type of problem). Arm should test weak. If so, continue with the treatment algorithm (number 7).
6. If arm tests weak on the positive statement and strong on the negative, or weak or strong on both, do the Specific PR. Tap 5-10 times on the K spot (side of the and halfway between the knuckle of the little finger and the wrist, and continue.
7. Tap firmly under the eye five times (bony part).
8. Tap firmly under the arm five times (opposite the nipple area).
9. Tap firmly on the collarbone five times (down one inch from the V at the neckline and over one inch to the left or right).
10. Do the nine gamut treatments. Tap continually on the hollow spot between the knuckles of the ring finger and the little finger while doing the following:
•Open your eyes
•Close your eyes
•Eyes down right
•Eyes down left
•Roll your eyes in one direction
•Roll them in the opposite direction
•Hum a few bars of tine aloud
•Count to five aloud
•Hum again
11. Do the algorithm a second time: under the eye, arm, collarbone.
12. If above a 2 or if the SUDS rate is stuck or moving up and down again, do the following.
13. Extend the arm and say, “I want to be completely over this
problem” versus “I want to continue to have some of this problem.”
14. If reversed (arm weak on positive statement and strong on negative or strong or weak on both), do the Mini Specific PR. Tap 5-10 times on the K spot (side of the and halfway between the knuckle of the little finger and the wrist.) Take a SUDS rate.
15. Most will be at a one or two and will finish with the eye roll.
16. Rarely, the SUDS rate will stay high or vacillate after the all the above steps have been completed. If so, try repeating the exercise, following the steps in exactly the same way, only this time you will use the Deep Level PR and, if necessary, the Deep Level Mini PR.
(Remember to tap under the nose, not on the K spot.) The arm tests are as follows:
17. Deep Level arm test: “I will get over this problem” versus “I will keep this problem.”
18. Mini Deep Level arm test: “I will continue to have some of this problem” versus “I will get completely over this problem.” Take a SUDS rate.
19. If SUDS does not goes down to a 1-2, you may have a toxin involved and need to consult someone trained in diagnosis.
Addictions: Alternate 1 Working alone
1. Choose an addiction you want to alleviate.
2. Think about it as though it were happening now, (see it, listen to what you say to yourself about it, feel the emotion). When you are ready:
3. Rate the intensity on a 10-point scale, 10 is severe stress, 1 means there is no trace of upset. Write down the number.
4. Tap firmly on the collarbone five times (down inch from the V at the neckline and one inch over to the left or right).
5. Tap firmly under the eye five times (bony part).
6. Tap firmly on the collarbone five times.
7. Take a SUDS rating, and if it has decreased 2 or more points, continue with the gamut (number 9).
8. If it has not decreased 2 or more points, do the Specific PR.
Tapping on the side of the hand (halfway between the knuckle of the little finger and the wrist). Return to step 1.
9. Do the nine gamut treatments while continually tapping on the gamut point (hollow between the knuckles of the little finger and ring finger).
•Open your eyes
•Close your eyes
•Eyes down right
•Eyes down left
•Roll your eyes in one direction
•Roll them in the opposite direction
•Hum a few bars of a tune aloud
•Count to five aloud
•Hum again
10. Repeat the algorithm: collarbone, under the eye, collarbone.
11. Take a SUDS rating. If you are at a 1 or 2, finish with the eye roll.
12. If not at 1 or 2, do the Mini PR. Tap 5-10 times on the side of the hand (halfway between the knuckle of the little finger and the wrist.
Return to step 1.
13. If you are at a 1-2, finish with the eye roll.
14. If not, repeat the exercise, tapping under the nose, instead of the K spot.
15. Finish with the eye roll.
Working with a partner
1. Choose an addiction you want to alleviate.
2. Think about it as though it were happening now, (see it, listen to what you say to yourself about it, feel the emotion). When you are ready:
3. Rate the intensity on a 10-point scale, 10 is severe stress, 1 means there is no trace of stress.
4. Test arm saying, “I want to get rid of this problem” (or you can name the type of problem). Arm should test firm. Remember or write down the number.
5. Test arm saying, “I want to keep this problem” (or name the type
5. Test arm saying, “I want to keep this problem” (or name the type