Finding the Root Under the Answer

How to identify the attachment need, longing under the

answer for one issue or symptom

Finding the true experiential root of the current dysfunction is an important aspect of treatment
planning. This exercise will help lead down the correct neuropathway in order to have the best chance
at comprehensive treatment effects.

What is a current symptom, frustration or limitation?

When you experience the above what is the longing?

What do you want in that moment that you are not getting?
Listening for Safety/Connection/Empowerment - Responsibility/Safety/Choice

Identify recent times when you did have a hope, even a glimmer of hope, of
the longing being fulfilled and it did not work out.

Note: We are looking for times that the client had the hope or longing for getting the missing
attachment experience but it didn't work out.

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Transformation Institute
(We are looking for a Moment in Time to light up the limbic system. The
client needs to have a specific moment but you do not need to have the
details.)

When is the last time you wanted or experienced this at work or in the
community? (Present Trigger 1.)

When is the last time you wanted or experienced this socially or with
friends? (Present Trigger 2.)

When is the last time you wanted or experienced this with your closest
relationships? (Present Trigger 3.)

What is the worst part of all of this right now?

How disturbing does it feel right now on a scale of 0-10, with 0 being no
disturbance and 10 the highest disturbance?

When you bring up the worst part of that disturbance, what words express
the negative belief you have about yourself NOW, even though you may
know better?
FINDING THE ROOT

(Clinician is looking for self-referencing, irrational negative belief that is

UNDER ANSWER

the worst possible belief the client FEELS. Ex: I'm not good enough, I'm
worthless, I don't matter)

When you bring up the worst part and the words…………………..(NC)

what is an earlier time you can remember experiencing something similar?

Memory: Age:

If the client doesn't give a moment in time ask "And can you remember a
specific moment in time?“

What was an earlier time? (Keep asking this question until the client stops
answering)

Memory: Age:
Memory: Age:
Memory: Age:
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Transformation Institute
Future Desired States

“Now I would like us to look at each Future Desired State:

present trigger and decide how you
would like to react, behave, or feel in
that situation when or if it happens in
the future.”
(This needs to be something you can
imagine happening.)

One for each present trigger listed Future Desired State:

above. Present trigger 1:
“As you think about the present
trigger of___, how would you like to
be able to
react, feel, or behave when that or
something similar happens in the
near future.”

Present trigger 2: Future Desired State:

“As you think about (name second
present trigger), how would you like
to be able to react, feel, or behave in
the future?”
Future Desired State:

Present trigger 3: Future Desired State:

“As you think about .(name third
present trigger), how would you like
to be able to react, feel, or behave in
the future?”

There may be more or less than 3 of each

Transfer the information to the Future section on the Treatment Plan Targets

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Institute
Treatment Plan Targets
This is where you can record the answers from the Finding the Root script

Presenting Issue/Symptom Attachment Longing Under the Issue

Present Triggers

Socially Work/Community Close Relationships

Past Events
List older memories here going from Older to Younger Memories. There may be more than 4

Memory: Age:
1
2
3
4
Future Desired States
For Each of the Above Present Triggers how would the client like to feel, act or behave instead?

Socially Work/Community Close Relationships

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Institute
Phase 3: Assessment Full Protocol
Specific Instructions: Prior to starting, please make sure you are in the correct
seating, have already practiced speed, distance and type of DAS, and practiced the
stop signal. You should be ready to start eye movements after the final question in
Assessment

Target: (In training, earliest touchstone memory found. This should be a moment in time, not an issue.)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“When you bring up that memory, what image represents the worst part?:…………………………...............
ONLY if no image (may be another perception of the five senses): “As you think of the experience, what
is the worst part of it?” ……………………………………………………………………………………………….........
Negative Cognition: “What words go best with that picture that express your negative belief about
yourself now?” ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Positive Cognition: “When you bring up that picture, what would you prefer to believe about yourself
instead?.....................................................................................................................................................
Validity of Cognition (VOC): “When you think of that picture, how true do those words (repeat the
positive cognition above) feel to you now on a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 feels completely false and 7 feels
completely true?”

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Completely false Completely true
Emotion: “When you bring up that picture and those words (negative cognition above), what emotion
do you feel now?” ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
SUD: “On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is no disturbance or neutral and 10 is the highest disturbance you
can imagine, how disturbing does the memory feel to you now?”
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
No disturbance/neutral Highest disturbance
Location of Body Sensation: “Where do you feel it in your body?”_______________________
“I’d like you to bring up that picture, those negative words (repeat the negative cognition), and notice
where you are feeling it in your body—and follow my fingers.” (DAS/BLS generally 20 or more
passes/customized to need of client.)
Important!! After the following question, you immediately start DAS/BLS and are in PHASE 4. (Turn to next
page. 9
Phase 4: Reprocessing

DESENSITIZATION:
A
After the DAS of 20-30 back and forth, “What
are you noticing now?” Allow them to answer,
and no matter what they say, you say: “Go
with that.” Then do another set of DAS,
generally 20 or more passes that are
customized to the needs of the client.
Repeat: “What are you noticing now? Go with
that.” Continue DAS as long as the client
reports change or new information (as many
sets of DAS as necessary) until the client stops
reporting change for two consecutive sets of
DAS, then ask (B).

BACK TO TARGET: CHECK SUD:

B C
“When you go back to the original memory, When you believe they are at or near end
what are you noticing now? (Pause for a of processing, say “When you bring up the
response). “Go with that.” (DAS, 20 or more original memory, on a scale of 0 to 10,
passes customized to the client). where 0 is no disturbance and 10 is the
Repeat: “What are you noticing now?” (Pause highest disturbance you
for a response). “Go with that.” (Sets of DAS). can imagine, how disturbing does it feel
Continue with sets of DAS as long as client to you now? ---Go with that.” (Sets of
reports change or new information (as many DAS.) If SUD is stuck at 1 or 2, ask,
sets of DAS as necessary). “Where do you feel it in your body?
___Go with that.” Set(s) of DAS or,
When the client goes back to the original “What is the most disturbing part of that
target after two consecutive sets of DAS and memory now?”
still reports no change check SUD (see C REPEAT Steps A, B, and C until SUD is 0
below). twice (or ecologically sound).

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Transformation Institute
Phase 5: Installation
Installation links the desired Positive Cognition with the original
memory/experience:

“Do the words (repeat the PC) still fit, or is there another positive statement you feel would be
1 more suitable?”

“Think about the memory and those words (repeat the selected PC). From 1, completely false, to
2 7, completely true, how true do they feel?”

3 “Hold them together. Those words________ and that memory. ” Do DAS.

4 “On a scale of 1 to 7, how true do the words (PC) ________ feel to you now?” (After each set)

Continue installation as long as the material is becoming more adaptive. Continue sets of DAS
5 until the VOC no longer strengthens. Once the VOC=7 (or ecological), go to Phase 6: Body Scan.

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If client reports a 6 or less, check appropriateness and address blocking belief (if necessary) with
additional sets of DAS. (Note: If running out of time, set aside the blocking belief to be addressed
at a later time and proceed to closure for incomplete session.)

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Transformation Institute
Phase 6: Body Scan

“Close your eyes and keep in mind the original memory and the
words (repeat the selected Positive Cognition). Then bring your
attention to the different parts of your body, starting with your
head, and working downward. Any place you find any tension,
tightness or unusual sensation, tell me.”
If any sensation is reported, do DAS. If there is a
positive/comfortable sensation, do DAS to strengthen the
positive feeling. If a sensation of discomfort is reported, reprocess
until discomfort subsides.

Savoring the New!

After a clear Body
Scan: “Is there a
gesture or movement
that would help you
connect with that
feeling of
…………………………
(name the PC or new
positive feeling)?”

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Transformation Institute
Phase 7: Closure

An unfinished session is one in which a

client’s material is still unresolved (i.e.,
s/he is still obviously upset; the SUD has
not gone down to 0; the VOC has not
gone up to 7; you have not had time to
complete the Body Scan).

The following is a procedure for closing

down an unfinished session. The purpose
is to acknowledge clients for what they
have accomplished and assist them in
being present and as stable as possible
prior to leaving.

*** Procedure for closing unfinished sessions*** If complete go directly to #3.

Give the client the reason for stopping. “We are almost out of time and we will need to stop
1 soon.” Give encouragement and support for the effort made. “You have done some very
good work and I appreciate the effort you have made. What feels like the most important
thing you have learned about yourself or for yourself today?”

Do a containment exercise: “I suggest we do a relaxation (or a container) exercise before

2 we stop. I suggest we ……………………...” Suggest either a relaxation exercise or a
container exercise. Examples include: Container imagery (put it away in a container until
the next session); Safe/Calm Place; Light Stream; etc.

Read the “Debrief the Experience” section to the client, as scripted below:
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Closure for all Sessions: “The processing we have done today may continue after the
session. You may or may not notice new insights, thoughts, memories, or dreams. If so, just
notice what you are experiencing and if you wish you can record it on the Memories & Lies
log. Use the resources we have worked on to help manage any disturbance. We can work on
this material next time. If necessary, you can call me.

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Transformation Institute