his week, of the many things I've learned, three were salient:

ONE. The Effectiveness of an Affect Bridge is proportionate to the
intensity of the affect, and intensity of affect is dependent on 5
factors:
1) How much affect the client is carrying
2) How deep in hypnosis the client is
3) How complaint he/she is
4) How willing to experience strong emotions they are
5) Congruence in hypnotist's voice and tone

Since we don't have much control over 1, 3 and 4; we really need to
focus in making sure the client is truly in somnambulism or deeper AND
we have to be very concious of our voice tone, pitch, tempo and
intensity, so as to be congruent with what we're saying and in so
doing facilitate the client's connection to his/her emotions; very
much like actors do when they're acting their part and are able to
convey emotions to the audience.

TWO:  When doing AR, it's always good to remember to get the cognitive
component of the emotion, as people often missname feelings. One sure
way to do this is to ALWAYS use the Fav 5:
1) What's Happening?
2) What are you Thinking?
3) What are you Feeling?
4) How Old are you?
5) Is that feeling Familiar or New?

Additionally, it's good to keep the counting of numbers congruent, so
you'll count backwards to move to the past, forward to move to the
future AND never lead client (if it's not clear if event is in the
past or future of the point where you're at, don't use numbers, simply
do the "touch-touch-touch" thing).

THREE: When using an Affect Bridge for AR, you build up the feeling in
the present so as to use it as a bridge to the past BUT when client is
already in regression, you NEVER build up the feeling there, if you do
that, you'll be modifying the past and possibly creating false
memories (you'll be making them experience MORE emotion than they
actually had back then). If you want to make sure emotion experienced
is the strongest (for instance, if they're being a little resistant to
further regress), it's OK to say "When I count from 1 to 3, you'll be
at the most emotional moment of this event or situation" and then use
that feeling to regress more (IF feeling is familiar, of course ;-)).

One last note, affect bridge is useful only when based on Primary
Emotions, Secondary and Tertiary Emotions (frustration and depression)
should only be used when that's all that client is able to express.

That's it for today, remember to read and re-read your scripts until
they roll off your tongue effortessly and accurately, watch your own
taped sessions to see what you did right and where you need to improve
and always review your training material (videos, books, notes)
related to the client you're going to see... And do your 7th Path
daily, it'll keep your mind and spirit sharp and ready to take on
whatever comes your way.

Until next week,