Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR)
Traumatic Incident Reduction(TIR) is a deceptively simple but highly skilled technique which, when used by a competently trained facilitator, has proven to be effective in addressing and resolving most of the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other unwanted after-effects of Trauma.
When a person has been badly traumatised, he/she goes through a psychological process of coming to terms with the experience. This process usually includes a stage that is marked by nightmares, flashbacks, startle responses and other unpleasant symptoms which typically last for a few months. Eventually, these symptoms cease, the incident becomes part of the life history of this person who can then proceed with life in a normal way. Sometimes this integration process is not complete and the sufferer may experience unpleasant symptoms for the rest of his life – often with disastrous consequences. This condition is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The National Registry of Evidence-Based Practices (NREPP), which is a service of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the USA acknowledges TIR as one of the accepted effective techniques to address Trauma and PTSD in USA war veterans.
Unblocking Techniques
Unblocking is an Applied Metapsychology technique which is one of three methods taught in the Traumatic Incident Reduction Workshop(TIR) This technique makes use of repetitive questions concerning a particular relationship, situation, choice or issue that a client does not have clarity about.
We block our own awareness, or allow it to be blocked for different reasons – we may be afraid of the consequences of knowing the truth about a particular situation; we may be ashamed of what we have to face if we become fully aware or we may be scared of having to take responsibility for a particular situation. We prevent our own awareness by adopting some sort of avoidance strategy. We may deny or rationalize the fact that we have an abrasive way of speaking to our colleagues; we may ignore our own contribution to a conflict-ridden relationship or conceal certain information in order to create a better image. This is usually out of our own awareness and prevents us from fully confronting and resolving a particular situation of concern or discomfort.
The questions in the Unblocking technique are designed in such a way that it allows the client to inspect a number of such blocks repetitively, one at a time, without any inputs from the facilitator, in order to “see-through” or remove the block in order to reach clarity about the area of interest.
Expanded Application (EA) Techniques
- On the Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) Expanded Applications workshop, the skills taught in the basic TIR workshop are further developed and strengthened. In addition, a number of new techniques designed to address other traumatic situations are included such as a way to handle a feared future trauma. This will equip the facilitator (counsellor) to deal with more diverse situations presented by viewers (clients)
Life Stress Reduction (LSR) Techniques
The Life Stress Reduction workshop is, like the Traumatic Incident Reduction workshop, based on Applied Metapsychology. During the workshop, several techniques are taught to address different stressful life situations as well as personal growth. Like all other Applied Metapsychology work, it is based on following a strict protocol, adhering to certain rules of facilitation and employing specific communication skills. A client (viewer), is assisted by the counsellor (facilitator) to explore his/her mental environment at his/her own pace in a very safe environment without any input from the facilitator. This enables the viewer to face and deal with these stressful situations in his/her life in an organized way. It is intended to address and resolve emotionally charged scenes, situations, issues and the distress caused to the viewer by some individuals or life circumstances. It allows clients to systematically inspect the past and enable them to function more effectively in the present. The effectiveness of the outcome, mostly in a relatively short time, is very rewarding to both the viewer and the facilitator. A very valuable set of skills will be added to the repertoire of the counsellor during this three-day workshop.
Like in all other Applied Metapsychology methods, the client chooses which issues he/she wants to focus on. The material is taught in a very interactive way – the theory is taught and demonstrated by the use of DVDs after which the techniques are practised. A certificate of attendance will be issued by Applied Metapsychology International (AMI).
ATTACHMENT – MAKING TIR VIDEO’S
Video
Students need to turn in a video during the first 10 hours of their supervised work. This is not only an excellent tool to use for supervision, but the students get used to making videos and the result is that their nervousness lessens.
If a student makes an unsatisfactory video and does not want to show it to anyone, he/she can just delete it without submitting it to the trainer. (The student facilitator’s nervousness can be reduced if they are aware of this.) The video making should continue until their trainer think it is fit for certification.
Before sending the video to the trainer, the students must first watch their videos and make notes on their strengths (successes) and errors (failures) as they each observe their own taped session.
Only a TIR video gets sent to the Certification Committee, but the trainer should have seen and passed, and Unblocking video as well.
The videos should show both the facilitator and the viewer.
Video sessions should be recorded at good audio, but only low to medium picture definition, as it takes too much memory and time to copy or send.
Tips To Give Facilitators Working towards Certification
Never ask the client, “How are you doing?” or ask any other introverting questions before saying “Start of Session”. If you do, the client might go straight into an incident before you get a chance to find out if they are tired, hungry etc. If you feel a need to be social you can just say, “Good to see you”, etc.
The video must include the pre-session questions, “Are you tired?”, “Are you Hungry?”, “Is your cell phone off?” etc. Give a “Start of the session” according to Delivery of a Communication, Good Communication Exercise-4. After each technique has been taken to an endpoint, say, “We are going to leave it at that.” Right before ending that session ask, “Is there anything you care to ask or say before we end the session?” and then end the session with a definite, “End of Session”. TIRA checks for the exact words as used in the manual!
Include at least Basic or Thematic TIR to an endpoint. Unblocking may be included, but the TIR is of utmost importance and can’t be left out.
Good Communication Exercises (CEs) and correct TIR procedures must be shown. Some small errors, such as a missed acknowledgement or two, are acceptable.
Good (CEs) are not robotic and the same acknowledgement should not be used repetitively. At the endpoint, the facilitator needs to match the viewer’s positive attitude, and possibly smile.
Many missed acknowledgements or a lack of being comfortably present, or not following the TIR technique will result in you being required to submit another recording for review by the Certification Committee.
Partners
