What is The MAP Method?

It's an advanced neural retraining method that can be done at a distance, over Zoom videoconference. It is the latest energy psychology technique that builds on the techniques from the 1980s and 90s such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).

The MAP Method is the next generation of these methods, as it is gentler, faster and doesn't require bilateral stimulation or tapping on acupressure points. The brain takes care of all of that itself, quickly and efficiently. With the MAP Method we utilize the brain's natural ability to heal itself.

"We believe, and we have seen, that our brain can actually heal itself in minutes."

-Colette Streicher, Psychotherapist and Founder of the MAP Method.

EMDR and tapping were developed to help people fully process trauma memories, or emotionally painful memories. With EMDR, the client focuses on the painful emotional memory and bilateral stimulation is used -- either eye movements, audio, or some other bilateral stimulation -- to help the mind fully process through the emotions so they can be released. 

Tapping is similar, again the client is focusing on one consciously-remembered memory or phrase and, at the same time, tapping certain acupressure points, with the objective of processing through those emotions and allowing them to be released.

Both of these methods work and they can be quite effective. However, my clients who have tried these other methods (and even some who are certified practitioners of EMDR or EFT themselves) tell me that the MAP Method is faster and gentler. EMDR, in particular, can be a difficult experience for the client requiring exhausting rehashing of painful memories. The MAP Method, by contrast, is relaxing and effortless.

"Therapists, coaches, and healers who have studied hypnosis, EMDR, EFT, NLP, etc. have been amazed at how much faster, easier and more gentle this method works."

- Colette Streicher, Psychotherapist and Founder of the MAP Method.

The MAP Method accomplishes essentially the same thing, but instead of working with one consciously-held memory at a time, MAP actually neutralizes clusters of memories simultaneously during the session. With MAP we instruct the subconscious mind to neutralize the painful emotions from a set of related memories. 

How does this work?

With MAP, the client comes to the first session with an idea for a subject that they want to work on. This may involve a painful memory, anxiety trigger, relationship stress, or a phobia. We have the client focus on a specific example, a memory, and we instruct their subconscious mind to identify the emotional signature of the memory and identify related memories.

So, whether the emotional signature is anxiety, helplessness, abandonment, anger, guilt, grief, loneliness, or anything else, we ask the subconscious to find the other related memories -- either consciously-held or subconsciously-held -- and neutralize them as a group. 

Therefore, with the MAP Method we're working with clusters of memories and this is what allows us to release painful emotions more quickly. Plus, these negative emotions are often connected to behavioral or mental programming that may be playing and replaying in our subconscious mind and impacting our mood, negative thought patterns, unwanted personality traits like perfection or procrastination, and our physical health. 

With the MAP Method, not only can we release the negative emotions and neutralize the memories but we can also start to to break down some of the self-sabotage patterns and behaviors that are associated with them as well. It's a very, very powerful technique. 

Learn More

• Learn more about the MAP Method of advanced neural retraining.
• Hear Colette Streicher, licensed psychotherapist and founder of MAP, describe the difference between the MAP Method and EFT, EMDR, hypnosis and NLP.
• Listen to my client, Lea, describe the difference between her experience of EMDR and compare it to the MAP Method in episode 54 of the Flourish with Neural Retraining podcast.
• Try it for yourself with our MAP Introduction Program