Phase 3: Assessment Components
Target Assessment Script with Client Response Fields
Page 1 of 4
Client: ________________
"We're going to assess the memory you identified. I'll guide you step by step—just tell me whatever comes to mind."
Target Image
"What image represents the worst part of this memory?"
Negative Cognition (NC)
"What negative belief about yourself goes with this memory?"
Present tense, self-referencing, irrational
Positive Cognition (PC)
"What would you like to believe about yourself instead?"
Present tense, achievable, empowering
VOC (1-7)
"How true does [PC] feel now? 1=false, 7=true"
Emotions
"With that memory and [NC], what emotions come up?"SUD (0-10)
"How disturbing does this feel? 0=none, 10=worst" SUD: ______ / 10Body Location
"Where do you feel it in your body?"Assessment Summary
Common Cognitions Reference
Negative and Positive Cognition Pairs by Theme
Page 2 of 4
Client: ________________
Responsibility / Defectiveness / Shame
| Negative Cognition (NC) | Positive Cognition (PC) |
|---|---|
| I am bad | I am a good person |
| I am not good enough | I am good enough |
| I am worthless | I am worthy / I have value |
| I am shameful | I am okay as I am |
| I am not lovable | I am lovable |
| I am permanently damaged | I am whole / I can heal |
| I don't deserve good things | I deserve good things |
| There is something wrong with me | I am okay as I am |
Safety / Vulnerability / Trust
| Negative Cognition (NC) | Positive Cognition (PC) |
|---|---|
| I am in danger | I am safe now |
| I cannot protect myself | I can protect myself / I can learn to protect myself |
| I cannot trust anyone | I can choose whom to trust |
| I have to be perfect to be safe | I am safe being myself |
| It's not safe to show my feelings | I can safely express my feelings |
Power / Control / Choice
| Negative Cognition (NC) | Positive Cognition (PC) |
|---|---|
| I am powerless | I have power now / I have choices |
| I am helpless | I can help myself / I can get help |
| I am out of control | I am in control now |
| I have no control | I have choices now |
| I am weak | I am strong / I can be strong |
| I am trapped | I have options now |
Guilt / Responsibility for Actions
| Negative Cognition (NC) | Positive Cognition (PC) |
|---|---|
| I should have done something | I did the best I could |
| It's my fault | It's not my fault / I am not to blame |
| I cannot be forgiven | I can forgive myself / I deserve forgiveness |
| I should have known better | I did what I knew how to do |
| I am responsible for [other's behavior] | I am only responsible for myself |
Affect Scan (Floatback) Technique
Target Identification Script
Page 3 of 4
Client: ________________
Purpose
The Affect Scan (also called Floatback) is used when a client experiences strong emotions or body sensations but cannot identify a specific target memory. This technique uses current emotional and somatic experience to bridge back to earlier memories that may be feeding the present distress. It's particularly useful for identifying touchstone memories—the earliest related memory in a memory network.
When to Use
- • Client reports strong emotions but can't identify a specific memory
- • Present-day triggers with unclear origins
- • Need to identify the touchstone (earliest) memory in a network
- • Client leads more with feelings than thoughts
Complete Script
"I'd like you to bring up that feeling you've been describing—[name the emotion]. Really let yourself feel it, just enough to notice it."
"Now, notice where you feel this in your body. Just scan and see where this feeling shows up physically... [pause] ...Where do you notice it?"
[Wait for client response about body location]
"Good. Now, keeping that feeling and that body sensation present, I'd like you to let your mind float back... like you're floating back through time... to an earlier time when you might have felt this same feeling in your body."
"It could be from any time in your life. Don't try to think of anything specific—just let your mind drift back and see what comes up. It might be an image, a memory, or just a sense of something. Whatever comes is okay."
[Give client time—this may take 30-60 seconds of silence]
"What comes up for you?"
[If nothing comes up, try:]
"Just notice whatever you're experiencing right now... even if it's blank or fuzzy, that's okay. Sometimes we need to sit with it a moment longer."
[If a memory emerges, proceed with standard Phase 3 assessment]
Notes
Trace Back Technique
Cognition-Based Target Identification Script
Page 4 of 4
Client: ________________
Purpose
The Trace Back technique is similar to the Affect Scan but begins with a current problematic belief or cognition rather than an emotion. It traces the negative cognition back to its origins to find touchstone events. This is especially useful for clients who are more cognitively oriented or who present with strong negative self-beliefs but have difficulty connecting them to specific memories.
When to Use
- • Client has strong negative self-beliefs but unclear source
- • Multiple traumas and need to find touchstone
- • Client leads more with thoughts than feelings
- • When a negative cognition keeps appearing across different issues
Complete Script
"Let's work with this belief: '[Negative Cognition]'. I'd like you to say it to yourself now... '[NC]'."
"As you think about that belief, notice where you feel it in your body. Scan your body and tell me where you notice a sensation connected to that belief."
[Wait for client response about body location]
"Good. Now, holding that belief '[NC]' and noticing that feeling in your [body location], I'd like you to let your mind trace back... trace back through your life to find the earliest time you can remember feeling this way or believing this about yourself."
"Don't try to think or figure it out. Just hold the belief and the body feeling, and let your mind wander back through time. Whatever comes up is the right thing."
[Give client time—this may take 30-60 seconds of silence]
"What are you noticing? What comes to mind?"
[If nothing comes up, try:]
"Even if it's vague or you're not sure if it's 'the right' memory, what shows up when you think about when you first started believing '[NC]'?"
[If a memory emerges, proceed with standard Phase 3 assessment]
Key Difference from Affect Scan
| Affect Scan | Trace Back |
|---|---|
| Starts with emotion/feeling | Starts with cognition/belief |
| Uses body sensation as bridge | Uses body sensation as bridge |
| Best for feeling-oriented clients | Best for thought-oriented clients |