"If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security." —Gail Sheehy
A great deal of importance has to be given to the issue of safety and support, just as one would if providing therapy or being the recipient of the same.
To this end, I have to make a disclaimer that any professional using these techniques must do so with the express understanding that compliance with their respective professional governing body's code of ethics must be adhered to in all respects - and that those who may choose to utilise these tools and techniques directly for themselves, do so with the following recommendations.
If you attend any support group such as AA/NA etc., that if you have a sponsor whom you are very comfortable with – that you request their support and permission to contact, if required, for any debriefing you may need as a result.
If you are a member of any Mental Health group or have a personal, professional counsellor/therapist – that you inform them of what you will be doing and request their support and permission to contact, if required, for any debriefing you may need as a result.
Having a friend or family member, you can call upon, if required. Please let at least one know in advance that you might be contacting them for debriefing purposes.
Inform any of the above of the journey you are about to undertake. It is not necessary to provide them with any details of the trauma/shock – that is for you to decide. However, I would urge you to confirm that you can call or request support if necessary.
One final safety issue.
Be aware that cleaning and clearing one memory may allow or cause another or others to surface – the same techniques can be applied but, if it is not an appropriate time or place in which to do so, use some inner dialogue (thanking the self for the information and awareness) to acknowledge that, but that it presently needs to be safely retained until conditions can provide you with the time and the environment in which to process same.
