I recently had the pleasure of learning something new that immediately proved to be valuable in my work! I can’t wait to share it with people.

I found my way to Nick Davies of the Warwickshire School of Hypnotherapy in the UK. From his office in the UK, Nick taught an international group of us a technique he created—  the B.L.A.S.T technique. It stands for Bi Lateral Analysis and Stimulation Treatment. Nick describes it as follows:

“Neuroscience research shows that structures in the right side/hemisphere of the brain are overactive and acting as if there is an immediate threat in sufferers of PTSD and trauma. The BLAST Technique® utilises precise bi-lateral movements with a light pen (which helps the memory access the left side/hemisphere of the brain) and specific suggestions to the client which helps reprocess the traumatic event so they understand what happened and can remember, but it no longer has any physical or emotional response.”

I’m drawn to techniques that have a sound basis in science and this technique blends what we know about neuroplasticity and visual processing with hypnosis. B.L.A.S.T. is a remarkably simple, eyes-open, compassionate approach to the accessing and reprocessing of difficult memories. I was able to use it almost immediately with multiple clients to address memories related to difficult medical news, past car accidents and a challenging professional resignation. Clients described an oddly neutral new relationship with old memories that only moments earlier involved a strong emotional response. I wish I had taken a snapshot of their faces as they searched for the old feeling, the old association and found it gone.

So, if you ever hear me say that I had a blast at work, you’ll know what I mean.

Take care and be well!

Here’s the video of Nick explaining the technique –