Memory Reconsolidation — Its Not Just for Trauma Anymore

You may have heard about memory reconsolidation theory and how important it can be in the treatment of trauma. True, indeed. But memory reconsolidation can also be helpful in many other ways, clinically.

Like changing a limiting belief. Oftentimes, negative affect is like the glue that holds a limiting belief in place. And by using reconsolidation-informed techniques, that negative affect can be cleared off a memory and the limiting belief updated to something much more helpful.

By identifying and accessing the emotional memory that led the client to form the limiting belief and providing juxtaposition experiences, a clinician can assist the client in forming healthier beliefs that are more helpful.

For example, while traveling abroad in his 20’s, my 46-year-old client experienced a freak accident in which, due to no fault of his own, a local citizen died. Things got quite heated in this far away country and it looked like this individual was going to get scapegoated by the local officials. So heated, in fact, that the US government thought it best to remove the young man from the country against that other country’s wishes — and the young man’s. The belief he arrived at was this: “I always run away from trouble.” This was not the least bit true, but colored all of his experience.

Once we identified the memory and several examples from his life that ran contrary to his belief, we were ready to do some therapy! By activating the memory’s affect and then juxtaposing the contradictory memories against the limiting belief, the emotion on the memory melted away and so did his belief. And it was replaced with a more accurate belief about himself as someone who actually is quite heroic and regularly faces his fears.

Imagine how this will benefit your clients. Curious? Great. Stay tuned for more.