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Self-help - The rewind technique
For more information on The Rewind Technique visit:
http://www.therewindtechnique.com
The rewind technique was first published by Dr. David Muss in his book The Trauma Trap. Since then it has gone on to become one of the most important psychological self-help tools available.
The rewind technique is an excellent desensitisation technique. The aim of the rewind technique it to return a feeling of control to a trauma victim by helping them to regain control over when they choose to recall an event. Flashbacks and panic attacks can become a thing of the past and victims are allowed to remember the past at their own pace and in a more controlled and healthy manner.
Method:
Teach the client to relax as deeply as possible for them at present, and encourage them to continue to practice relaxation techniques on a regular basis. Relaxation techniques emphasising deep diaphragmatic breathing coupled with alternately tensing and relaxing each muscle group in turn give good results. Relaxation training should take as long as is needed.
Explain the technique, making sure that the client is comfortable with it and understands what is expected of them before commencing. Once this has been achieved then carry it out immediately. Your explanation to the client should be clear and precise to avoid confusion while they are carrying out the rewind. Explain that what you are doing is to show them a simple way that they can use to control the images that they are experiencing.
Most of us have had the experience of being in complete and total control over ordinary everyday items such as the image displayed on our television screens by means of a video recorder. At the touch of a button, without leaving our chair, we decide whether or not a certain image is going to be allowed to play.
We further decide when it is going to be played, for how long, how bright it will be, you decide how fast to play it, you can slow it down, turn the sound up or down, or even switch it off completely … you have total control. This control is possible by means of a remote control device.
Now using the power of your imagination see yourself sitting in a room watching a film on a television screen. Rather than looking directly at the screen you are looking at yourself, looking at the screen. In one of your hands you have a remote control. On this remote control there are 3 buttons, play, stop and rewind..
You are watching a film of the event that you were involved in. In a moment, when I say begin, press the start button on the remote control and the film will begin at a point 15 minutes before the incident began. The film will play through in great detail, showing every sight, playing every sound as you watch yourself on the screen until the incident finishes and memory fades. When you reach this point simply nod your head and say GONE.
So ready now - BEGIN
Wait until the client nods his head and says GONE.
Now in a moment you will hear me say REWIND and when you hear this you immediately press the rewind button on your remote control. As soon as you do a wonderful thing will happen. The film on the video will begin to rewind and play backwards very very quickly. You will see yourself in the film, and you will see everything that happened, backwards. You will see hear and experience everything differently, backwards. When you rewind to back to the start point, 15 minutes before the incident began, when you felt good about yourself then simply nod your head again … and relax completely.
So ready now … REWIND
The rewind technique is a masterful desensitisation technique and its power lies in its simplicity and ease of application. However, therapist are well advised to remember that like every other technique it is not a stand alone process and in cases where it does not work be prepared to do something else.
For more information on The Rewind Technique visit:
http://www.therewindtechnique.com
Michael O'Sullivan
info@health-concern.com
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