HANDLES
According to my mentor, a handle is some aspect of our triggered reaction
that we can grab onto and use to open the door to the past trauma.
Once we find a handle, we can plug it into a neutralizing technique,
and the technique will lead us to the anchor (past trauma)
and to neutralizing the emotional charge attached to the anchor.
Often, a technique will tell us what aspect of our reaction to use as the handle.
If it doesn't, below are some ways to find a handle:
Belief
What do I believe about myself, others, or life in this situation or because of this situation?
Story
What is the story that I am telling myself about this situation?
Thought
What is my overriding thought?
Pattern
Is there a pattern in this situation that has repeated itself in my life?
Problem
In this situation, what is the problem?
Optional: What is the problem and what fear lies beneath this problem?
Self-Centered Survival Fear
What is my self-centered survival fear in this situation?
Survival Reaction
What is my survival reaction in this situation?
(examples: wanting to confront someone, wanting to run away,
freezing up, going silent, going numb, people-pleasing)
Emotion
What am I feeling about this situation?
(Might help to look at a list of feelings and pick out the strongest feeling)
Sensation
What am I feeling in my body? Where is this sensation?
Handles Document