“Techniques”
The following are some reminders about “techniques” that have played a good role and become somewhat standard.
“Techniques in Re-evaluation Counseling are general summaries of what has been found to be helpful or workable in the past experience of other Co-Counselors. At best, they are general indications of workable processes to be used in a session and almost always need modification for any particular situation in a particular session with a particular client.” (The List, 5.255)
“The correct specific technique is the one you invent at that moment, for that client, that session.” (Quotes, page 25)
“If you even borrow, as a formula for the present session, what you did yourself last week, you’ve quit thinking.” (Quotes, page 25)
BROAD AND GENERAL
Paying attention
Listening
Contradicting the distress
Loaning confidence
Putting attention away from distress and on reality
Directions
Repeating phrases (repeating a key phrase over and over)
Allowing the client to rehearse the distress while being pleased with the client and unbothered by the distress
Self-appreciation
Validation
Discharging on earliest memories
Taking responsibility for everything
Acting as our inherent, human selves
Participating in rational activities
Taking action now and discharging later
Goal-setting
Taking or offering a different viewpoint than the one the client had been holding
Planning to live every moment well
Strategizing for re-emergence
Playing games
Keeping client’s and counselor’s notebooks up to date
MORE SPECIFIC
Commitments
Frameworks
Synopses
Counselor contradicting the client’s distress
Client contradicting his or her own distress
Contradicting different components of the distress (tone of voice, facial expression, posture)
Taking a different role than usual in the recording
Making up stories, using fantasies for occluded material
Scorning fear
Over-exaggerating fear
Expressing terror cheerfully
“First thought”—flash answers
Interrupting control patterns
Checking for identifications
Telling dreams
Speaking to God or to one’s “dear departed”
Two people making lists of what each one wants in their relationship, etc.
Early sexual memories
Early memories about money
Early memories of people with a different skin color, religion, gender, etc.
Physical struggling with the counselor in an agreed-upon way
Attention to the counselor (to the environment when the client has little attention available)
Random memories—factual memories, pleasant memories, little upsets
Rapid review of related experiences
Re-telling an incident of powerlessness in a powerful role
Aware physical contact and closeness
Appearing to “over-meet” a “frozen need”
Taking just a small step out of a heavy negative feeling (“I’m not the worst person who has ever lived.”)
Standing guard
For stutterers: have them repeat the one word they never stutter to enthusiastic applause over and over
Exaggerated overagreeing with the content of the client’s distress with a tone of great seriousness
“I wish” for . . . (stating goals)
“The generalized understatement”
The exchange of roles
The Reality Agreement
WORKING ON OPPRESSION
Oppressed role: telling about the reality of the oppression; expressing pride
Internalized oppression: What do you like about being a Wygelian, what’s hard about it, what do you want others to understand, what do you want others to never say or do again.
Working on oppressor material: earliest memory of Wygelian, times you were effective as an ally, times you didn’t stand up; caring about/closeness with Wygelians, making friends
Identities: taking pride in one’s identity: claiming it, cleaning it up, throwing it out
SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES
Telling about one’s “loveliest love”
“It’s great to be female!”
“Heh, heh” for embarrassment
Taking the blame: “It’s all my fault.”
“You and me, counselor, completely close forever.”
“I can.” “I will.” “I can and I will.”
“Why do you love me, counselor?”
“All for one and one for all.”
Harvey Jackins, Katie Kauffman, Diane Shisk
Seattle, Washington, USA