Acknowledgements

1. “RESOURCE TAPPING”FOR SEX ADDICTS AND THEIR PARTNERSBY SHARON O’HARA, MFTCLINICAL DIRECTORSEXUAL RECOVERY INSTITUTELOS ANGELES, CA 90035WWW.SEXUALRECOVERY.COM

2. Acknowledgements This presentation is based on: Tapping In and Resource Tapping by Dr. Laurel Parnell Expert in treating trauma with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

3. What is Resource Tapping? A personal empowerment technique. “A method to strengthen and integrate internal resources so that we can call on them when we need them.” (Dr. Laurel Parnell)

4. What are internal resources? • Memories of comfort and safety • A sense of inner wisdom • Experiences of feeling powerful

5. What is EMDR? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Founded in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro Powerful method for treating trauma Use of BLS: Bi-Lateral Stimulation

6. EMDR processes trauma memories at an accelerated rate when paired with alternating bi-lateral stimulation: eyes, ears, knees. Compare to REM End result: new insights, physical sense of wholeness

7. EMDR Caveat  Need for EMDR-trained therapist to treat a client’s trauma using EMDR. “Resource tapping”: Can be taught to clients, so they use it themselves to lower anxiety (related to “resource installation” in EMDR)

8. Uses for Resource Tapping • Manage anxiety • Feel more centered • Handle emotional triggers • Inspire creativity • Enhance performance

9. Concept of hidden natural resources • Inner drive towards wholeness, healing reservoir of positive, stored experiences • Unprocessed trauma leads to sense of stuckness, PTSD symptoms • Bi-Lateral Tapping can be used to restore balance

10. Differences between EMDR and Resource Tapping: • EMDR: • Focuses on the trauma memory • Has specific protocol • Uses longer periods of Bi-Lateral Stimulation • RT: • Keeps focus on the positive • Uses shorter periods of BLS • Can be used as “self-help” technique

11. How to do Bi-Lateral Stimulation: • Knees • Butterfly hug • Toes

12. Tapping In: Basic Practice • Comfortable position, close eyes • Grounded breathing • Identify the resource you want, e.g. love • Open your senses • Tap 6-12 times

13. If memory turns negative • Stop • Identify another resource • Place negative memory in container • Return to peaceful place • Tap 4-6 taps

14. Four Important Resources: • Calm and peaceful place • Nurturing figures • Protective figures • Wisdom figures

15. Calm and peaceful place: • Problem with “safe place” terminology • Real or imaginary place • Protective shield • Basic practice steps (breathing, sensing, staying positive) • Use of “cue word”

16. Calming Imagery • Example of beach imagery on airplane • Use of drawing to evoke peaceful place • Use of neutral imagery: • Eating breakfast • Riding a bike

17. Who Cares for You: Nurturing Figures • Grandmother, close friend, dog • Real or imaginary (movie scene, angel) • Adult self (e.g. holding child) • Watching someone being nurtured

18. Tapping in a Nurturing Figure: • What do you hear, see, smell, feel in your body? • Tap only when it feels strengthening • Tap in more than one figure • Let yourself be held • Tap using butterfly hug

19. Who Watches Your Back: Protector Figures • Allies, real or imaginary (mythical figures) • Pets or power animals • Protective/courageous adult self • Figures from childhood or current time • Circle of protective figures • Remember to activate your senses before tapping

20. Who Empowers You: Wisdom Figures • Spiritual figures • White light or Inner Wise Self • Start with peaceful place • Imagine meeting inner wisdom figure • Trust your spontaneity • Ask for compassionate advice

21. Circle of Inner Helpers • Imagine yourself surrounded • Feel each one individually, then combined • Allow more figures to join the circle • Imagine taking the circle with you

22. Using Resource Tapping with Sex Addicts • Handling urges to act out • Imagine inner support team • Remember a peer’s successful story • Remember/imagine successful relapse intervention • Focus on body sense of achievement/mastery

23. Calming down anger • Get to safer place (move away) • Say “Can get through this” • Imagine calm scene with wisdom figure • Ask for guidance with specific situation

24. Handling boredom • Write down “bucket list” or “Outer Circle” activities • Pick one and imagine sensations • Identify first steps/access creativity • Imagine “attaboy” figures

25. Trauma first aid (car accident, abuse memories) • First move to physically safe place • Focus on moment when you knew you survived • Feel the relief and tap it in • Bring in protector/wisdom/nurturer figures • Go to peaceful place

26. Using Resource Tapping with Partners of Sex Addicts • Handling PTSD symptoms associated with discovery/disclosure • Get physical distance from addict • Start tapping while saying, “I can get through this” • Bring in circle of Protectors, Nurturers, Wisdom figures • Imagine “appropriate selfishness” • Focus on “next right thing” and staying present

27. Building self-empowerment • Go to peaceful place • Imagine a time you felt courageous • Bring in wisdom figure(s) • Draw a symbol for how you want to feel

28. Helping with sleep • Avoid nighttime stimulation (caffeine, exercise) • In bed, breathe from soles of feet • Imagine peaceful place/images of nature • Bring in nurturing figure/comforting animal • Evoke imagery of letting go (eagle flying) • Say “I can relax; I can let go” • Sing a lullaby in your mind

29. Managing general anxiety (e.g. driving a car, flying in an airplane, visiting parents, seeing dentist, taking a test, making a presentation) • Breathe while tapping without imagery (breathe, say comforting words) • Bring up peaceful place activated with all 5 senses • Activate protector figures specific to the situation • Imagine someone else (role model) handling the situation successfully • Imagine how you want to feel when situation is over

30. Thank you, Laurel Parnell, for your inspiration.