Anchor Collapse Technique

The anchor collapse technique is used to eliminate minor, usually recent, emotional experiences that are often accompanied by a physical (kinesthetic) reaction. Typically, from a client’s story, we learn that in a specific situation, they lacked a certain resource. For example, where they needed to appear calm, they were unable to do so and became overly anxious. Moreover, even now, when recounting the event, they still feel anxious.

After identifying this lack of resource, we look for a similar situation in the client’s personal history where, under comparable circumstances, they were able to access the needed resource and experienced the opposite reaction—for example, remaining calm and achieving success as a result.

The anchor collapse technique is fairly simple and can be used as a standalone method or as part of more complex techniques.

Technique Steps

1. Identifying the Problem Situation
   The problem situation is identified based on the client’s story. It’s important to clearly define and separate the problem from the rest of their life. If the issue is recurring, the anchor collapse technique is unlikely to be effective, as it may indicate a deeper personal trait requiring more advanced methods. If the situation is isolated, ask the client to recall it, either by reliving it or expressing their current feelings about it.
2. Anchoring Negative Sensations
   Once the client has vividly recalled the sensation and you have calibrated their negative emotional response, set an anchor. Use kinesthetic, visual, or auditory anchors, making sure to follow proper anchoring procedures.
3. Identifying the Desired Reaction
   Determine the reaction and resources the client wishes they had in that situation. Often, the client will name the opposite reaction: for example, wanting confidence instead of confusion, or calmness and inner strength instead of indignation.
4. Selecting a Suitable Situation
   The client recalls a similar situation where they experienced the desired feelings and reactions. Ideally, this should be a real-life event. The closer the second situation is to the first, the more successful the technique will be. Think of it like the polarity of a battery: if the first situation is negative, the second should be its positive counterpart. Once the client finds a suitable memory and you agree, have them vividly recall it and focus on the positive feelings.
5. Anchoring Positive Emotions
   When the client is at the peak of positive feelings, set a different anchor—ideally in the same modality (kinesthetic, visual, or auditory) but distinct from the first. If the positive anchor feels weak, distract the client and ask them to recall one or more additional episodes with similar positive states, anchoring each with the same positive anchor to create a “stack” of positive anchors.
6. Breaking Focus on the Problem
   Distract the client with a neutral question to bring them to a neutral state and out of their problem-focused mindset.
7. Simultaneous Activation of Both Anchors
   Activate both anchors at the same time and carefully observe physiological changes. This usually causes the two states to collide, which may result in excitement, rapidly shifting emotions, and even physical reactions like blushing, sudden paleness, sweating, or rapid eye movements. Sometimes, a brief trance state may occur. The anchor activation typically lasts a few seconds, with the resourceful anchor held slightly longer.
8. Recalling the Problem Again
   Once the client’s state has normalized and they are calm, ask them to recall the problem situation again. Usually, the previous negative emotions are no longer present.

Common Difficulties

If negative emotions persist after the technique, the following mistakes may have occurred:

• First: Check whether both positive and negative anchors were properly set and tested.
• Second: The positive anchor may have been weaker than the negative one, causing it to be “collapsed” instead, while the negative anchor, though weakened, remained. In this case, create a stronger positive anchor.
• Third: The anchors were not true opposites. For example, anchoring helplessness as negative and self-confidence as positive may not be enough if the client needs a sense of strength. In this case, repeat the process with a more appropriate positive anchor.

In all three cases, identify your mistake and repeat the technique. For the first error, double-check the anchors. For the second, create a more intense positive anchor. For the third, ensure the positive anchor is the true opposite of the problem state. Also, try to build a “reserve” of positive resources, as an initial failure may reinforce the negative anchor in the client’s mind.

Fourth: The most common mistake is misidentifying the problem as minor and local, when it is actually rooted in deeper personal traits. In such cases, the anchor collapse technique is too weak, and a more advanced psychotherapeutic method is needed.

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