Collapse Anchor NLP
Collapsing Anchors
Jimmy Petruzzi
NLP Centre of Excellence
Collapsing an anchor is a process that allows us to break our negative anchors. As mentioned, an anchor may be created naturally through association. If the anchor results in an undesirable state then we can use collapsing techniques to break the association.
To collapse an anchor you must first identify the problem state, and decide upon an alternative positive state to take its place. You then create the positive state anchor in the usual way. Once complete you must break state and then create an anchor for the negative state, so that both states are anchored and can be triggered easily.
After breaking state again you need to fire each state in turn without breaking state between. Finally fire both anchors at once… this will cause a little confusion while your physiology attempts to achieve both states simultaneously, now break the negative state but keep the positive state going.
To test the success of the collapse break state and fire the negative anchor, the result should be a neutral state, somewhere between the two states. If the negative state persists positive anchors can be stacked on the same anchor and the procedure repeated.
It is important to create a very powerful positive state, even if this requires stacking states together, as the positive state must be stronger than the negative state to collapse the negative anchors for example, we ask a client to imagine a positive experience then touch their arm or hand as that experience reaches a peak of intensity.
Collapsing anchors is a process whereby we anchor a negative experience to one stimulus, say our client is in a negative state:
- We touch the knuckle on the index finger on their right hand to anchor the negative state.
- We then ask them to think of a positive experience and when that experience peaks we touch the knuckle on the middle finger on their right hand.
- We then hire both anchors at the same time. The positive and negative states both seek to be present in the client’s physiology at the same time.
- Typically we will see the client go through a state of confusion.
If the positive state is large enough, the client will end up in a positive state
A Quick and Profound, Super-Simple-Change Technique: “Collapsing Anchors”
1. Select a certain feeling you want to get rid of. As you feel it squeezes your finger and thumb on your left hand to anchor this state.
2. On an intensity scale of 0 to 10, where is this feeling?
3. Break state. Now think about what you would like to feel instead. What would make you remain in a more resourceful state? Relaxation, Humour? Etc. (May I suggest you choose humour because humour is an incredible gift from the gods)
4. Now choose one of the resourceful states you have come up with and remember a time you felt that resource strongly. What does this resourceful state feel like?
5. Remembering that resourceful state, anchor it to your right hand by squeezing your finger and thumb together.
6. On an intensity scale of 0 to 10, where is this feeling? Important: Make sure that this resourceful feeling is more intense than the fearful feeling.
7. Break state: Now squeeze your left hand forefinger and thumb anchor, hold it, at the same time as you squeeze your right hand forefinger and thumb anchor. Keep both anchors on for a few seconds, say 7 seconds. (Note: Many people get a sense when the anchors have ‘collapsed’ or integrated, often by a noticeable shift in breathing.)
8. Release the left hand anchor and just hold the right hand anchor for a couple of seconds.
9. Break state: Now think of the original feeling you selected in step 1.