Visualisation as Measures of Progress

The importance of visualisation

Subjective Units of Distress (SUDs) are used to measure the amount of progress a client is making in addressing their negative issues/emotion.  In addition, one of the most clearly expressed measures is visualisation that comes from the client. In each of the examples below I did not tap on the picture.  Instead, I asked the client to describe it to me after each round of tapping.

I offer here 3 examples:

Client 1

When asked for a description, this client described her feelings in terms of a brick wall.  The wall was a high as a 2-storey house, one half of a semi-detached and red brick. After each round of tapping, I would ask the client to visualise the wall.  Initially it became lower and narrower and the walls became white. Then it became a white fence, leading to a beautiful field. Finally the fence had a gate that was open and she was able to walk through – all negativity gone. Proof to both the client and practitioner that the negative emotion had gone.

Client 2

Client 2 described her emotions in terms of a pond on top of her head.  It was so overgrown with weeds that no light could get through, and nothing could live. After we tapped I asked her to describe the pond.  Gradually light entered. Then there was plant life and she said:-

Oh leave it!  It is now beautiful, bathed in sunshine, with water lilies and frogs on the lilies.”

All negativity had gone.

Client 3

This client described her relationship with her mother akin to a brick wall covered in moss.  The wall was between them and she couldn't see around it.  It was in poor state of repair.  As I checked in with her, first of all she was able to move some of the moss.  Next time when asked, she had punched the wall so now it was lower and she could see the sun shining on it.  She could see over it, but was not yet ready to look around it. Then she was on the other side of the wall on cobbled path, but it was misty.  She wasn't sure if she could walk forwards. After the next round, she felt able to walk forwards.  As she did so, the mist parted, the sun came out and there were daisies.  She described it as walking into a field of opportunities. Her feelings towards her mother had completely changed.  Initially she had told me the mother was a control freak, but in the end was describing her as a lovely woman who was so kind.

Conclusion

In each case, I had picked up on the client's own description of their emotions and, by experiencing changes, the clients were able to witness directly the changes in their emotions. It is also worth noting that, as well as removing the negativity, each client replaced it with a positive image.

These clients all had Visual as their dominant representational system according to Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP).  The same process is used for clients with auditory or kinaesthetic preferences. The skill of the Practitioner is to recognise and utilise these descriptors as they arise.

Janet Broughton

Janet has been Practicing EFT since 2005 and, coming from an Adult and Further Education Teaching background, went on to become an EFT Master Trainer. She brings a range of skills when working with her clients. Coaching, Neuro-Lingusitic Programming and DRU Yoga, working energetically to achieve the best outcome for her clients.