Several readers have asked about working with complex problems that may have multiple layers and asked for some direction. Here are some tips on this matter, such as a complex driving phobia. This advice can be applied to any complex problem.

1. First, become familiar with the basic technique and apply it on some small problem, such as a lingering anger, frustration, regret, etc. that is NOT directly related your driving phobia (or complex problem). This will allow you to get some sense of the flow of the method and some confidence that you are doing it correctly. If you have difficulties or uncertainty if you're doing it correctly you might want to get our Training Video (see http://www.gem-systems.com/booktape.html

2. After you feel comfortable with the method and are aware of what it feels like to experience a change with the techniques, turn you focus on the driving phobia (complex problem). By gaining success with some smaller problem you can then be confident that there are no obstacles such as toxins that would interfere.

3. Think about what causes you the distress (such as imagine yourself on the freeway) and rate the SUDS. Begin treating the problem using the emotional Trauma sequence on page 180 (aside from the Comprehensive Tap Sequence which is much longer, this one will work for most complex problems). As you go through the process allow yourself to focus upon any different aspects that come up.

4. With complex problems (multiple layers) you will need to go through the Tap Sequence a number of times. While at first it may not be apparent to you that you are working on different layers, that is what will happen. However, you may recognize that your focus has shifted from say, imagining being on the freeway and afraid, to imagining a big truck along side, to a time when you where a child riding in the family car and you witnessed an accident or other related memory (this represents a different layer of trauma).

5. Be patient with yourself and you may even need to take a break for a day and come back to the process the next day. This allows some time to integrate what you have done before proceeding to the next layers.

6. Remember that if you shift the focus to a new layer, such as
witnessing the accident as a child, to do the PR corrections for this new target before doing to the Tap Sequence again. We'd say that the Trauma sequence will be quite useful for most aspects and layers of your problem because it incorporates anxiety, guilt, anger and fear, however, if some other emotion seems to come up (such as grief) feel free to use the appropriate Tap Sequence for it instead.

7. You may need to apply the method once again if your anxiety returns in vivo, that is in the actual situation (the car on the freeway). This represents an aspect that was not available for treating at home (or otherwise away from the situation). See the case of Henry on page 141 for a description of how this can be applied.