The Get Back to YOU program was devised to help anyone in South Tyneside feeling “stuck” or that they had “lost” themselves in some way – possibly due to traumatic events, a bereavement, an unhealthy relationship or slipping into an addictive habit or an unwanted behaviour.

Typical symptoms screened for during the initial intake conversations were those identifiable to the general public using non-clinical language but which are typical of trauma responses, some examples of which are:

• Feelings of Overwhelm (indicates a “freeze” trauma response)
• Sudden Anger / Loss of Control (indicates a “defiant rage” trauma response)
• Unwanted Addictive Habit (may indicate a coping mechanism to an underlying past trauma)
• Negative Thoughts (“spiralling”, obsessional or paranoid thoughts may indicate a trauma response)
• Sleep Issues (nightmares, difficulty in falling asleep or restless sleep may indicate to an underlying trauma)
• Specific anxiety / Avoidance of Certain Situations or Locations (indicates a “flight” trauma response)
• Loss of Motivation / Interest in Previous Activities (may indicate general low mood associated with a trauma response)

The program was advertised using social media in early March 2024 and filled quickly.

Each session consisted of a trauma-releasing segment (typically 75% of each session), followed by disruption of a negative habitual behaviour or thought pattern and the installation of a new, future- positive, outlook as chosen by the client.

Structure of the Program

Havening Technique ^TM (www.havening.org) was chosen as the primary trauma processing tool for several reasons as it can:

• aid effective processing of a trauma
• promote better sleep, thus promoting restorative processes that are essential for cognitive function and emotional regulation.
• quickly allow the establishment of rapport between client and practitioner on a subconscious level, thus aiding the acceptance and effectiveness of other techniques used during the sessions to disrupt habitual patterns of behaviour
• move intrusive memories into the long-term memory
• be taught very easily to clients as a self-soothing tool which can be utilised discreetly and quickly

The pilot program consisted of 2 heavily subsidised sessions, spaced 10 days to 3 weeks apart.

Session 1 was up to 2 hours long and typically focused on aiding processing of past traumatic events which were significantly affecting the client’s present life in some way e.g. through PTSD symptoms, such as flashbacks or panic attacks or a coping mechanism which had become habitual, such as snacking or alcohol dependence.

Each client was taught Self-Havening and any other of a range of (primarily NLP) techniques utilised during the session, such as “SWISH” which can be used easily and independently of a practitioner. Teaching the client to use Self-Havening on a regular basis aids both reduction of negative emotions plus enables the nervous system as a whole to become more regulated.

Each client was also furnished with a personalised audio recording which may be used for e.g. self-relaxation, promotion of better sleep, positive future visualisation etc.  

Session 2 focused upon gathering feedback of any qualitative/quantitative differences in symptoms plus continuation of trauma reprocessing but was typically a shorter session.

All clients were then offered subsequent follow-up sessions at a discounted rate plus an open offer of advice/support over the phone or via email going forward.

Participant feedback was obtained during intake and following the second session.

Symptoms were scored prior to and following the completion of the program using a scale of 0 – 5

0 = Suffering Greatly, 2/3 = Somewhat Resolved or Reduced, 5 = Resolved or Greatly Reduced.

2 main improvements were suggested by participants: a more comprehensive explanation of techniques to be used at home (1 participant) and the addition of a 3^rd session to consolidate positive changes (7 participants).

The second instalment of the “Get Back to You” program was run in 2 halves, from July to October 2024. The first intake ran throughout July and early August, with the second intake commencing early September through late October.

A 3^rd session was added, with the program structure as 2 appointments 7-10 days apart, with a follow-up 3 – 4 weeks later, following careful monitoring and feedback of symptoms / improvement.

Again, clients were furnished with an audio recording and techniques to use at home, plus the offer of future discounted sessions.

The alterations have improved overall score following program completion as levels of 4 or above were reached more consistently. This format will therefore be recommended for future iterations of the program