This module builds upon the opening module (The Basic Basics), expanding it from its initial self-help focus into a full clinical treatment approach that incorporates what you have learned in each of the subsequent modules.

It is oriented around a series of practice sessions rather than interactive questions. For this reason, it would be particularly valuable to work through this module with a partner. If you cannot do it with a partner, you can still get a good overview of the procedures by reading through the instructions, choosing a problem area to experiment with, and applying the treatment procedures to yourself. Still, nothing can adequately substitute for hands-on, interactive experiences in a real or at least simulated clinical situation.

ENERGY INTERVENTIONS may be applied effectively!

*  *  *

With a colleague role-playing a client coming in with a specific problem or using an actual problem, go through each of the phases of the early part of treatment. The target problem could be a fear, phobia, anxiety, anger, lack of confidence, grief, worry, jealousy, guilt, shame, obsession, or any other undesired emotional response to a specific situation, thought, image, or memory. Please take care that the problems you target are appropriate given the context of your practice sessions. The treatment tasks to cover in this practice session are to:

Build rapport   Gather information about the client’s background and treatment goals   Explain and obtain informed consent about using an energy-based approach   Establish a familiarity and some success with energy checking   Check for and correct neurological disorganization   Check for and resolve any global psychological reversals   Formulate an appropriate target problem   Check for and resolve specific-context psychological reversals involved with the problem   Access the problem state, rate it, and "lock it" in (alternately, use a "reminder phrase" as described in the Basic Basics module).

    After this sequence, solicit feedback. Switch roles.

With the problem state selected, rated, and locked in and initial neurological disorganization and psychological reversals resolved, the remaining steps in a basic "Single-Point-per-Meridian" treatment protocol are:

Research is not available about which sequence is likely to be most effective. It might seem that using all 14 points would be more potent for balancing the associated meridians and that the longer tapping sequence would be more effective in more situations. This might, however, be more intervention than is necessary, and a tremendous amount of anecdotal evidence suggests that simpler sequences are effective a good deal of the time. The 14-point protocol was, in fact, introduced primarily so you would know at least one point for each meridian by the time you are learning the more advanced approaches in the following module, not because it is necessarily used that frequently in clinical practice. Stimulating a subset of the meridians will usually suffice.

In one sense, it does not matter which set of points you use: If the sequence is not effective in bringing down the client’s distress level (SUD) while the problem state is activated, you would then move to the procedures taught in following module. It is truly dealer’s choice.

Select a treatment sequence that you will use for the remainder of this module and, with the problem state locked in, show your "client" how to stimulate the points. As soon as the SUD decreases, even slightly, it is often reassuring for clients to realize that they are responsive to this method. Even if the SUD moves down slowly, the fact that it is moving at all means the indications are good for obtaining the desired results by applying the technique persistently while remaining alert for any neurological disorganization, psychological reversals, or unresolved aspects of the problem. A small proportion of people, however, apparently do not respond to meridian tapping, and in these cases, other techniques may be employed, such as the Touch and Breathe method of meridian stimulation or working with other energy systems, such as the chakras or the radiant circuits.

It is better now to go through the remainder of the treatment sequence with one of you in the therapist role and the other in the client role. Switch roles at the end of the treatment session.

The 9 Gamut, which you learned in the Basic Basics module, has become a standard within energy psychology. Other techniques, loosely called bridging techniques because they are performed between procedures that specifically focus on the designated problem, can also be used as the middle of the "treatment sandwich." These techniques enhance the effects of the interventions they bridge. Four bridging techniques are listed and described below. On subsequent rounds through the treatment, experiment with any of these—they are easy to do and require only a minute or two each. The techniques include the 9 Gamut Procedure, the Blow-out/Zip-up/Hook-in, the Elaborated Cross-crawl, and Connecting Heaven and Earth. Experiment with each of them.
4 Bridging Techniques

You can use any one of these bridging techniques between rounds of tapping. Most practitioners find a favorite and use it most of the time, introducing others as intuition dictates.

Choose one, review it, practice it, and show your "client" how to do it.

Variations:

1. Instead of the fifth and sixth steps, move the eyes in a horizontal figure-8  (the therapist might draw an infinity sign in the air), first in one direction, then the other.

2. End by bringing the eyes down to the floor and then slowly bringing them up to the ceiling, projecting sight out into the distance as the eyes move up the arc.

Repeat the treatment point sequence exactly as you did in the first part of the sandwich.

When you have completed the sandwich (treatment point sequence, bridging procedure,  treatment point sequence), again assess the intensity of the problem. Clients may be able to focus more easily on the problem if they close their eyes. Have them tune into the problem, bring the original problem or memory to mind, and give it a rating from 0 to 10 on the amount of distress it causes them now, as they think about it.

If no trace of the previous emotional intensity remains, then you are done with the sandwich and ready to move on to anchor the gains. If, on the other hand, the SUD goes down, lets say, to a 4, perform subsequent rounds until 0 is reached or until you can reduce the number no further.

Sometimes a problem will be resolved after a single round of treatment. More often, only partial relief is obtained and additional rounds are necessary.

Between rounds, discuss anything about the treatment that concerns the client or does not seem to be going as planned. Three areas to consider checking for between rounds are:

Before returning to the next round of treatment, also be sure the problem is still locked in (the indicator muscle still goes weak during an in-the-clear energy check), particularly following periods of dialogue or intense emotion.

Considerations about NEUROLOGICAL DISORGANIZATION between rounds of acupoint stimulation.

Simply accessing the problem may introduce subtle disruptions within the client’s neurological system. The bridging procedures done within each round tend to counteract this tendency, but they are not always enough. While it is not necessary to frequently test for neurological disorganization, stay alert for signs of confusion, jumbled words, or loss of mental acuity.

If these appear, consider introducing the 3-part/3-minute correction for neurological disorganization (Crown Pull, Connecting Heaven and Earth, Wayne Cook Posture). This will usually correct the problem for the purposes of treatment. If it does not, do the five tests described in the "Neurological Disorganization" module (all five require only one minute) and use the correction techniques shown there as appropriate.

Any of the procedures in the 5 Minute Energy Routine can also be introduced between rounds of treatment, as well as other exercises for keeping the energy system clear and flowing.

Psychological reversals may emerge at any point during the treatment, and when they do, they can inhibit further progress. Psychological reversals that emerge during treatment are called intervening psychological reversals.

The check for an intervening psychological reversal might be worded something like, "I want to be completely over this problem" [or describe problem]. "Completely" is the element that distinguishes an intervening psychological reversal. Like other PRs, intervening PRs might also be organized around specific criteria. The wording to check for a criteria-related intervening PR, might be "I deserve to be completely over this problem" [or: "It is safe to . . ."; "It is safe for others if I . . ."; "It is possible for me to . . .", etc.].

Brief Review: The SUD rating is a subjective verbal estimate, on a scale from 0 to 10. It can be corroborated with an energy check (e.g., client says "It’s a 3," followed by checking an  indicator muscle). The energy check to corroborate a SUD rating is called a MUD (muscular units of distress) rating.

Periodic assessments of the distress still experienced in association with the problem (SUD and MUD) may be taken regularly. They provide a gauge on the effects of the acupoint treatments. Each assessment also leads to a choice point. Since you are in the middle of a practice session, simply click the "Next Step" instructions for what you need to know for the purposes of the practice session. You can return later to study the options for each of the five possible conditions.

IF THE SUD HAS:

The most common reason a distress rating will not go down to 0, if you follow the instructions precisely, is that another aspect of the problem, not focused upon in the energy intervention, may have been involved. If the initial target problem was the fear of dogs, rated say at 9, the tapping methods might have reduced it a bit, but it is not likely it would have been very effective until the experience with Rocky had been resolved. Chances are, however, that in doing the tapping, memories of having been bitten by Rocky would emerge and the focus could be shifted to them. Having been bitten by Rocky was an aspect of "fear of dogs" and it needed attention before "fear of dogs" could be successfully addressed.

The aspects might include earlier experiences that are involved in the current problem, but they may also slice in from different angles. An aspect might be a particular feeling or sensory experience that is involved with the problem. Perhaps during the dog bite, the feeling of having been humiliated was an aspect of the memory that requires attention. Perhaps he blamed himself for being bitten. Seeing his own blood might be an aspect of the problem. A precise memory of how Rocky smelled may linger as an aspect of the problem, or the helplessness of seeing Rocky baring his teeth, about to attack. This might then tie into other memories of feeling helpless that must have their emotional charge neutralized before the original problem can be fully resolved. Most complex psychological goals and problems have numerous aspects and identifying the most relevant aspect to focus upon is part of the art of energy psychology.

However, if the SUD still will not go down to 0, the techniques in the following module, Advanced Meridian Treatments, may also be applied. You may jump there now to continue this session, or . . .

 This elaboration of the eye roll technique is taught by Fred Gallo, Ph.D.

The additional steps presented in the "Closing Phases" module will:

After the SUD has reached 0 or near 0, you will complete the treatment in the first practice session of the "Closing Phases" module. If you are already at or near 0, you may wish to:

Jump directly to the "Closing Phases" module now
     and
Return later to the Next Module:  Advanced Meridian Treatments

Return to "Subsequent Rounds" Practice Session