Anchoring CALM States

Anchors are simple stimuli that have become associated with specific states. When activated, the anchor evokes the state with which it has become associated. Anchors can occur spontaneously through normal life events and can have positive (e.g., anchors associated with celebratory or spiritual rituals) or negative effects (e.g., anchors installed through traumatic experiences).

In clinical hypnosis, anchors can be set to amplify resources, facilitate emotional state management, and support adaptive behavioural changes.

Please note that I do not articulate the pace at which to unfold the practice that follows. At the bottom of the article is a link to a guided version of the exercise.

I frequently invite my clients to consider the state of mind or being that would be most beneficial for the current issue or circumstance in their life. Words such as heal, peace, calm, courage, and safe are frequently identified. For the purposes of the exercise that follows, we try to identify words that are four to five letters long; thus, for example, courage frequently becomes “bold.”

The word that is identified is by itself, through common meaning, a cognitive anchor. Additionally, visual, auditory, and kinesthetic anchors are incorporated to create a more holistic mind-body experience. Thus, the word, which already has meaning associated with the identified state, becomes embodied and felt, rather than just thought.

The practice:

Read the whole thing once before beginning the exercise. If you wish you can record each step so that you can listen to guided instructions (or click the YouTube link below).

2. Let the word (e.g., CALM) roll over in your mind for about 30 seconds, allowing whatever thoughts and images arise but not engaging in any effort to hold on to any thought or image.

3. Let all thoughts and images go and in your mind’s eye draw out the word in a slow and deliberate fashion so that they can see the formation of each letter as it is unfolding. I suggest that this would take one, two, or even three breaths…

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