Slogans: Positive self-instructions
Slogans are short, punchy, understandable and clear sentences that are repeated. But what exactly are slogans for? This is a good introductory question to ask your patients.
Key takeaways
- Slogans are short, repeated phrases used in therapy as positive self-instructions.
- They are written on a card to make it easier for the patient to remember.
- Examples: “I can do it”, “Anxiety is temporary, it will pass”, “The force is with me”.
- The patient keeps the five most meaningful slogans for him and always has them nearby.
- Back of plug may include method AWARE.
1. WHAT IS A SLOGAN?
Slogans are short, punchy, understandable and clear sentences that are repeated. But what exactly are slogans for? This is a good introductory question to ask your patients.
Slogans are used to influence people in their choices. By hearing it repeated, we inscribe it in our memory in spite of ourselves. If I tell you 0 hassle 0 blabla, you all think of MMA. This power of subjection of the slogan is used in therapy.
Generally, practitioners who use this method invite patients to manually write the slogans on a card to help them memorize them. It is sometimes necessary to add an explanation during the instruction to clearly understand the meaning of the slogan.
2. EXAMPLES OF SLOGANS
Here are some examples:
I have to force myself
Explanation: by forcing myself I am able to do more than we imagine
I have to get started
Explanation: sometimes we tend to think too much
I can do it
Explanation: we can often do more things than we imagine
I don't know until I try
Explanation: sometimes we think it's going to be difficult until we try
I have to take risks
Explanation: when you want to evolve you have to get out of your comfort zone, you have to take risks.
I must surprise myself
Explanation: sometimes you have to know how to break your habits, for example, I used to take the elevator, this time I take the stairs
I'm here for a change
Explanation: in order to evolve, for example perhaps being less anxious
I must conquer this place / I am a conqueror
Slogans are flexible and can be free to be changed by patients to make them more appropriate. So instead of conquering this place, he can say to himself I am a conqueror. The primary purpose of a slogan is that it must work
Anxiety is temporary, it will pass
Explanation: it's hard at the moment but it will pass
What is my power now? I have the power of choice
Explanations: We cannot control our emotions but we can choose
I no longer have anything to prove to anyone
I must bury the judge in me
Explanation: The notion of judge is often linked to “I must”, the judge in oneself can make patients say: I must always be good, I must not make mistakes, I must succeed at everything, I must be kind to everyone. It is necessary to know how to bury the judge within yourself because it is normal to make mistakes, you cannot be kind to everyone, you have to take into account that no one is perfect.
A first step is the beginning of a great journey
Explanation: the first step is the most difficult but once it is achieved the rest is easier
I want to evolve
Explanation: you can always change your mind
No matter how long the night is, the sun always rises eventually
Explanation: even if we go through a difficult period it will eventually end
The cave I enter contains the treasure I seek
Explanation: the cave is a dark, narrow, unknown place, which represents the place where we are afraid, where we fear, but at the bottom of this cave there is also a treasure which is the freedom to no longer be afraid. However, you must enter the cave to find your freedom.
Anxiety is there to protect me
Explanation: according to Gray's neurobiological model, anxiety is a protective mechanism of the individual which is there to protect him
The force is with me
Some people are more sensitive to slogans in the form of questions, so we can offer them:
Who said I couldn't do it?
Once all the slogans are written, two important things must be mentioned to patients. Firstly, the possibility of changing the beginning of the slogan if desired. The term “I must” has a notion of control; we can replace it with “I will”.
Secondly, all of the slogans will not correspond to everyone, the goal is to rewrite it while keeping only the five slogans that are most meaningful for the person concerned.
Finally, they must always have their slogans on them or nearby in moments when anxiety takes over because they may not remember them. Generally, for greater efficiency, it is requested to also put the AWARE method on the back of their card stock.
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Positive Self-Instruction Slogans and Virtual Reality FAQ
What is a slogan in therapy?
A slogan is a short, punchy and easy-to-remember sentence that the patient repeats regularly. It serves to influence one's choices in the face of anxiety, by making a lasting impression in one's memory, like a well-known advertising slogan.
How does a patient memorize his slogans?
The practitioner generally invites the patient to write the slogans by hand on a card, which makes them easier to memorize. An explanation often accompanies the instruction, so that the patient clearly understands its meaning.
Can a proposed slogan be modified?
Yes, the slogans are flexible and can be reformulated by the patient to make them their own. The practitioner can also replace a beginning like “I must”, linked to control, with “I will”, more flexible.
How many slogans should a patient remember?
The goal is to keep the five most meaningful slogans for the person, because the proposed set does not suit everyone. The patient rewrites his list, keeping only those who really speak to him.
When should the patient use his slogans?
The patient must keep his slogans on him or nearby, to consult them in moments when anxiety takes over. This accessibility prevents him from forgetting them when he needs them most.
What is the link between slogans and the AWARE method?
It is advisable to write the method AWARE on the back of the card containing the slogans, to reinforce their effectiveness. The two tools complement each other in supporting the patient in the face of anxiety.
How does the Camille AI assistant help with this work?
The Camille AI assistant supports the patient as a trusted person, without judgment, including when working on positive self-instructions. Artificial intelligence is also present in the virtual characters in the scenes used.
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C2Care
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