Combining Tapping With NLP Swish Patterns

Combining Tapping With NLP Swish Patterns

     For some time, I have explored how tapping could be used with the NLP Swish Pattern.  In and of itself, the pattern is a rapid way to replace one behavior/reaction for another dependent upon a particular trigger.  For example, let's say a student has an anxiety reaction to standardized tests.  They are fine with class tests, but get the anxiety with the major ones.  In such a case, there has to be a specific trigger that sets the anxiety program to "run".  

     The key to using the Swish is to identify the trigger.  This is essential.  In the Swish, you are, in essence, tying a desired behavior to the trigger (stimulus).  You would then identify the behavior you wish to change, and make a multi-modal image of it. In other words, create an image that also has what it sounds and feels like.  You would then do the same for the desired behavior.  When ready, you replace, switch out, or swish the images, having the undesired behavior in front, then replaced with the desired one.  This is done a few times, with more and more speed.  Eventually, when you think of the trigger, the new, desired behavior should come through.  

     Now I wondered, let's say we take this current example.  What if I combined tapping into this pattern and tweaked it a bit?  Here is how I've been working with it.  In the current scenario, the trigger is the test, specifically, seeing it on the desk.  I would take this client into state by imagining a time they took such a test.  As the behavior/reaction of anxiety begins, I instruct them to switch to tapping on the  point between the eyes. Then go back to the trigger, then switch to tapping on the side of the eye point.  Go back to the trigger, then switch to tap on the point under the eye.  Finally go back to the trigger, then switch to tapping on the collar bone point.  To end the round, squeeze the wrist while taking a deep breath in, the release the wrist while exhaling.  As in the classic Swish pattern, speed is a key.  Switching back and forth between the trigger and the tapping, faster and faster, does a very effective job of erasing the reaction to the trigger.

     This can then be followed up by the standard Swish, or another other "flip" technique or reframe.  Why not give it a try?  If you do, I'd love to hear from you about what you thought. 

     Until next time......

Using The NLP Meta-Model with Tapping

   In NLP, there are three main components of what is called the Meta-Model.  This model is the overall structure of internal communication.  I won't go into the specifics of the model here, but if you are interested, there is a fine presentation of it in the book called "The NLP Practitioner Manual" by Peter Freeth.  The three components are: generalization, deletion, and distortion.  Your experience of anything will be greatly influenced by how you use these three components.

   In academics, for example, the main difference, ultimately, between high achieving students and low achieving ones is what information/data they delete, distort, or generalize mentally.  For example, in math, a high achieving student can generalize the concept of solving for X to all other equations where that may be necessary.  For the low achiever, they get thrown off by the slightest change in example.  So it would go for deletions and distortions as well.

   When it comes to the use of EFT or tapping, this model can come into play as well.  When coupled with another NLP framework, the Neurological Ladder, it can become very powerful indeed, but I will leave that for another article.   Let's look at an example. Let's say little Susie thinks she is a poor student.  Now that is quite general, and needs to be linguistically challenged.  You can do so by asking the question, " How do you know you are a poor student?  Is that for ALL subjects?"   She may answer, "Well, no, just in math really."  Now the model is shifting to a possible deletion.  So you ask " Was there ever a time you did well in math?"  She may answer, "A few times, I did pretty good on tests."  So now you continue to drill down, "Do you remember when you started to believe you were a poor student in math?"  Notice we have already moved off of the huge generalization of "Im a poor student" to being more specifically aimed at math.  Now if there is an early incident, for example, she says, " It was in 3rd grade. I just knew the math teacher hated me. " There is a distortion (mind reading) that can be further drilled down, then tapped on.

    In EFT/Tapping, the more specific you get, the better the results.  Using the NLP Meta-Model can you get you there quickly and elegantly, and help turbo-charge your tapping.

   For more information, or if you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me.  Until next time...

John Soriano, MS