Resonance Repatterning: A Therapist’s Perspective
by Chesley C. Swanson, LMSW

 Resonance Repatterning, formally called Holographic Repatterning was developed by Chloe Faith Wordsworth with the goal of creating a higher state of coherence for anyone seeking to do so.  With a higher state of coherence one can experience a higher state of energy, harmony, and success in all areas of life; and feel more loving, joyful, centered, and empowered.  In a lower state of coherence one may feel powerless, overwhelmed, and even hopeless.  No matter what framework utilized as a therapist or what terms used to describe my efforts, I have always tried to facilitate client’s movement to a higher state of coherence. 
            I was introduced to Resonance Repatterning by a client who asked if I would like to read the book “Quantum Change Made Easy: Breakthroughs in Personal Transformation, Self-healing and Achieving the Best of Who You Are” co-authored by Ms. Wordsworth and Gail Noble Glanville.  I enjoyed the book and have taken a number of trainings to be able to include this approach as part of my therapeutic work when indicated and/or requested.
            To effectively use a therapeutic method, it is important to understand basic terms.  The definitions of coherence are: “the quality or state of cohering, especially a logical, orderly, and aesthetically consistent relationship of parts” and “the property of being coherent, as waves”.  Synonyms for coherence are: congruity, consistence, and consistency.  Improved coherence within an individual or any other system is a desirable goal of therapy.
            Enhancing coherence being the goal, we assess for the area of incoherence the client is ready to address through the process.  This incoherence can be likened to an undesirable broken record playing over and over whether the client is conscious of it or not; thus keeping the client from focusing forward in a positive manner in any given situation or relationship.  It is important to note that each client may have many of these patterns running at the same time and may be reacting to these patterns in various ways, such as avoiding or overcompensating with survival being their conscious or unconscious goal.   
            As with other therapeutic perspectives, it is important to work with the client where they are or in a way in which they are ready.  In Resonance Repatterning clients are assessed for a starting place among six well defined starting points as follows: Orientation, Problems into Opportunities, Intention for a New Possibility, Repatterning, Modalities, and Positive Action.  Assessment is done through conversation and muscle checking, much like some nutritionists check for which nutrients their clients may need at any given time.  Through this assessment, the autonomic nervous system’s bio-feedback muscular response is used to identify what will or will not support a higher state of coherence at any given moment.
            A brief explanation of each of the six areas of work follows, and deeper explanations are available through further study and or consulting with a Resonance Repatterning teacher or practitioner.  Orientation is work done to get the client ready and present in the moment, thus ready to go forward. The practitioner assesses from a variety of actions that can be done by the client to assist them in orienting to the work.  These modalities vary depending on their clients’ need at the time; and can include such actions as breathing, making sounds, or moving.
            When working from Problems into Opportunities clients find and embrace the opportunity for growth within the problem.  A problem here is something unwanted, thought of as unpleasant or stressful, and to be used as an impetus for identifying a wanted change. The practitioner works with the client on areas which keep the client stuck and include, but are not limited to; feelings, stress, habits or addictions, brain and body functioning.  Areas that help the client improve may also be identified and strengthened.    
            Work done using Intention for a New Possibility, as in much of this work helps the client focus toward changing life patterns to be more life enhancing and starts with the identification of the intention needed and wanted at the time.  Once the intention is identified the practitioner helps the client, through a series of exercises, recognize behaviors or actions that will support the desired change. Included in this part of the process are such activities as identifying strengths, new habits the client can employ in the future, communication skills, time management, and spirituality.  
            In the Repatterning part of the work the client identifies non-coherent patterns and transforms these patterns toward more coherence using step-by-step procedures and discussion depending on the individual client’s needs.  There are over fifty repatternings possible within this work covering a multitude of patterns that may be causing challenges a client may be facing.  These repatternings are focused toward such areas as beliefs, unconscious occurrences, physical issues, interdependence, entrainment, relationships, and movement.  During the session the practitioner assesses and facilitates the repatterning that the client is most ready to experience and is most helpful for the client at the time.  
            The use of Modalities occurs throughout the work, has a lot to do with changing the client’s energy and is also varied depending on the client needs at the time.   Here the client is further assessed as to which modality is indicated within a number of different categories such as; process, sound, color or light, movement, breath, and energetic contact.  In the book mentioned earlier, one will find some simple modalities meant for anyone to use as self-help in everyday life.  Modalities may be used in any section of the work including when assigning homework.  
            Positive Action is what I call the homework of this method, which is given in some cases and not in others and is meant to support the benefit of the session.  Again when a positive action is indicated, the practitioner assesses for what is needed, how it is to be done, and the frequency in which the action is to be done by the client.   The goal is moving the client to a higher state of coherence or functioning.  
            In the session the practitioner moves the client through the various areas of work as indicated until the session is finished.  Sessions vary in duration and frequency depending on clients’ needs and desires, and the practitioner remains client focused.  As in most therapeutic models, the practitioner is always respectful of each client’s personal belief system.
            Resonance Repatterning practitioners, regardless of their professional licensure or certification are also expected to follow a code of ethics, including but not limited to: professional responsibility, client rights, professional relationship, professional competence, confidentiality, and maintenance of records.  We know practicing within an ethical guideline helps promote facilitation of a higher state of coherence for the client.  
            It is my opinion that the ethical use of the processes implemented in the practice of Resonance Repatterning has the potential of helping clients improve their functioning in life.  Beyond improvement of functioning, clients may also develop an increased ability to cope with and even learn from adversity.