Introduction to Emotional Transformation Therapy

by Frederick W, Brown, MD

Over the last 35 years I have been striving passionately to find methods of psychotherapy which
are quick, effective, and long-lasting. In the beginning I explored psychodynamic methods and
found them too slow. Then I learned about Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT,) which I found
limiting as it focused mainly on our “inner thoughts” and self-talk, and I felt did not give enough
attention to emotion, (which I believe is the real “driver” of our decisions and behaviors,) or
internal imagery (which is another major, internal driver.) I then deeply explored Neuro-
Linguistic Programming for 25 years, and even taught numerous introductory seminars on this.
The Internal Family Systems (IFS) approach has some benefits, and I studied and used that
intensely for 12-18 months. However, in late 2017 I learned about a new method, Emotional
Transformation Therapy (ETT) and found that it adds efficacy and permanence to methods I
have learned, and usually produces relatively fast, long-lasting results. This handout will
describe ETT in detail, clarify who can benefit, describe the major modalities, and answer many
questions you may have about this psychotherapy.

Most psychotherapies involve the patient discussing verbally what is currently upsetting and
describing the beliefs, emotions, and behaviors which are associated with it. With the
assistance of the psychotherapist; childhood and adolescent experiences are explored, as they
are often important and frequently affect adult experiences. However, our inner functioning is
designed to keep us safe (physically and psychologically.) Therefore, it's often difficult to
discover/recall early traumas as they are "hidden" from our awareness. The more primitive
areas of the brain store these memories. This is done unconsciously, and helps us to progress
through life, and not be overwhelmed by the various slights, punishments, neglects, and
traumas which occur as we are growing up.

In 1991, a new type of psychotherapy was discovered. Stephen Vasquez, PhD, was in Europe
traveling and he noticed a strange phenomenon while riding on the subway. Some subway
stations were bathed in blue light, others were illuminated in red light and yet other subway
stations were predominantly green in color. Dr. Vasquez noted that he would have different
emotions under different colors, and he became curious about this. He discovered this process
had been written about previously, and that a few individuals had developed light treatments
(Martel, Anadi, 2018. Light Therapies,) based on the effect of color on emotion. Aware of what
others had done, he developed the light device (Chromopulse,) in which various colors were
used to promote progress from one emotion to another. For example, yellow helps to
transition from feeling hopeless/helpless/powerless to feeling angry/aggressive to feeling calm,
“in charge” and empowered. He found the color green to help transition from feeling
despair/devastated/empty to feeling sad/lonely to feeling nurtured/joyous and that “life is
meaningful.” By careful study of the effect of color on emotions he developed a method by
which different colors would help people progress through various emotional states (Vasquez,
Steven. 2013. Emotional Transformation Therapy.)
Dr. Vasquez was not the first individual to promote the use of colored light for treatment
(chromotherapy.) Over 3,000 years ago, an ancient Hindu scripture discussed the healing power
of the colored rays of the sun( Martel, Anadi, 2018. Light Therapies, p 7.) A more contemporary
use of light therapy reveals a Nobel Prize given in 1903 to Dr. Finsen for his therapeutic use of
light. Between 1876 and 1878, 3 books were published on the healing effects of various colors.
In 1985, D. Kripke MD used bright white light to treat seasonal affective disorder. Since then,
bright white light has been found an effective augmenting strategy for treatment resistant
depression (Pinkers, et. al.Primary Care, 2016:18(5.). Since then, numerous scientists have
developed various ways to use colored light in treatment. My mentor, Steven Vasquez, PhD,
published his ideas in 2014, after 23 years of research.

The influence of color is multidimensional. Not only does the visual optic pathway carry
impulses away from the eye, but three other pathways leave the eye. The four pathways
influence numerous brain processes: physiologic, emotional, and cognitive, both conscious and
unconscious. (Martel, Anadi, 2018. Light Therapies, p 165.) Light is a very powerful modality, as
vision is 80% of total sensory input (Martel, Anadi, 2018. Light Therapies, p 260.) A vast
majority (99%) of psychotherapy is performed with the eyes of the patient open, but in other
psychotherapies specific colors do not play such a central part as they do in ETT.

Dr. Vasquez found, as numerous others have, that different colors had different emotional
impacts on individuals. In addition, he found that light input into the retina/eyes from the
sides/periphery has a different impact than light input straight into the eyes. Fredric Schiffer
from Harvard Department of Psychiatry was one of the first to use this therapeutically,
(Schiffer, Fredric 1998. Of Two Minds.) However, Dr. Schiffer only considered peripheral input
into two sides (right or left,) compared to Dr. Vasquez who utilized input into 12 different
angles (as on a clock face.) (Vasquez, Steven. 2013. Emotional Transformation Therapy.) This
peripheral eye stimulation (PES) was a major advance, and is often used during ETT treatment
with the Light Device or specialized googles.

One of the strengths of ETT is its ability to help you recover memories which are hidden
(implicit,) but which have an impact on your everyday functioning. These memories are “hidden
away” to minimize the emotional pain we suffer, but this also impairs emotional growth and
progress in psychotherapy, as it is hard to change what we do not recall. As an experienced
psychotherapist, Dr. Vasquez found that being able to access implicit memory would be an
advantage for ETT. Often these hidden memories are core emotional memories.

A core emotional memory (CEM) is a recollection of an event which was powerful in your past,
and which is not easily remembered. (Vasquez, Steven. 2018 Training: Emotional
Transformation Therapy, Level III.) These CEMs are often seen as “negative experiences,” but
they can be a “positive” experience. These CEMs help develop core-beliefs, which may or may
not be helpful, and have a major impact on personality. Frequently these CEMs affect us, but
we do not consciously recall them (implicit memory.) Unresolved CEMs produces many of the
symptoms which lead someone to contact a psychotherapist. These CEMS are subjective,
emotionally powerful memories. Frequently CEMs in some individuals lead to successful self-

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talk, emotions and core-beliefs which allow them to be emotionally adept and successful in life
and relationships. At other times, CEMs lead individuals to have depression, anxiety, and
conflicts which impair their ability to have happy and successful lives. These CEMs may affect a
person forever unless treated.

These CEMs are held in specific neural networks, and often “walled off” from awareness by
psychological processes so you are not overwhelmed by them. Often accessing these memories
may cause a flight-fight-freeze response. In addition, the anxiety or helplessness from these
unconscious memories may lead to drug addictions (alcohol, marijuana, etc.,) behavioral
addictions (excessive exercise, inappropriate spending, pursuit of high-risk sports, over-
involvement in routine sports,) food addictions (bulimia, obesity,) self-injury (cutting) or
relationship issues.

The goal of ETT is to access, process and neutralize the (detrimental) CEMs, so that they have
minimal effect upon you. (Vasquez, Steven. 2018 Training: Emotional Transformation Therapy,
Level III.) After successful treatment, you may recall the event, but it is recalled in a neutral
manner. Many other psychotherapies (CBT, NLP, EMDR) have this same goal, but often take
longer to access implicit memory, develop insight and produce behavior change.

Similar to other types of psychotherapy, this process is non-invasive and does not use
medication or applied electrical current to the brain.

Components of ETT therapy

Psychotherapy- During the process, I am sitting beside you, and active in the psychotherapy
process. Independent of the particular modality used, ETT is psychotherapy; usually assisted by
a Light Device, or another ETT methodology. New insights, different perspectives, additional
memories, or new future plans are encouraged and frequently occur. This is because various
neural networks are activated and integrated. Often memories are recalled from childhood,
which were not previously able to be accessed. I focus on helping you put these learnings into
practice in your life. Experience has taught me that after a few sessions with the technology, a
session to integrate the learnings and discuss possible transitional states is useful. I am
intentionally emphasizing the importance of the psychotherapeutic relationship. If it is not
strong, the addition of technological advances (various ETT methodologies) will not allow for
quick, efficient, long-lasting results.

Attachment issues- Attachment patterns describe the initial way you related to your parents or
primary caregivers. These patterns continue to have a major influence on how you relate to
others throughout your life. Depending on how you relate to others and me, I will be supportive
and encouraging as you explore sensitive issues in your quest to change your future. A vast
majority of patients find that discussing difficult/ embarrassing issues is not as difficult as they
expected and is “worth it.” Development and maintenance of a trusting relationship is very

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important to the outcome of psychotherapy, and is crucially important in ETT, as it is in any
psychotherapy.

Peripheral eye stimulation- It has also been discovered that many pathways lead from the eye
to other parts of the brain, not just to the visual cortex. These other pathways involve emotions
and memory, and this knowledge is utilized when I ask patients to sometimes look directly at
the light, and sometimes to look at the periphery of the light. This helps recall additional
memories, develop new perspectives, or plan future actions because peripheral visual input
activates different neural networks. Because of the pioneering work of Dr. Vasquez, this
treatment component is available with the Light Device and while using specialized googles (see
below.)

ETT Methodologies

There are four different modalities which Dr. Vasquez has developed for use during Emotional
Transformation Therapy (ETT.)

Light device- This is the most commonly used modality, because 80% of our sensory input is
visual, and because of the many adjustments which can be made. The current Light Device is
the 5th variation which Dr. Vasquez has developed. It has a LED which sits in a 30” by 30” black
box to help limit outside light and distraction. This LED can deliver any color of the spectrum. As
I sit beside you during the psychotherapy process and you consider and discuss an issue, I will
be changing the color and/or intensity, depending on what emotion is predominate at that
time. If your emotion changes significantly, then I will change the color. If emotions are
relatively calm and somatic symptoms are problematic, then the color will be chosen which is
predicted to have the most beneficial effect on reducing that somatic symptom.

The use of color on emotion has a literature extending over a thousand years. Dr. Vasquez has
used recent information RE vagal nerve function to make this even more impactful. Process
color theory, combined with recent neurophysiological research, helps predict which color
affects which emotions and brain area. His concept of how emotions evolve (one leading to
another) was highly influenced by Steven Porge’s polyvagal theory of trauma recovery. (Porges,
S.W. 2001. The Polyvagal Theory. International Journal of Psychophysiology 42(2), 123-146.)

Brain wave alteration- During treatment with the Light Device, the flicker rate can be adjusted
during the session, depending on your needs. This process works as consistent, flickering light
will cause brain wave entrainment (following) in many individuals after 2-5 seconds and help
shift the brain waves to a more helpful frequency. It has been determined which frequencies
help with memory recall, which help focus attention, and which help facilitate integration of the
psychotherapy learnings into both the right and left brain. (Vasquez, Steven. 2019. Personal
communication.) If someone has seizures which are caused by strobe-light or flickering lights
(approximately 3 in 1000 individuals) then the Light Device is used without this additional
feature.

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Spectral resonance chart- This is a poster sized, color spectrum chart of highly saturated colors,
which will activate different emotions, memories, and/or perspectives depending on which
color is focused upon. This is both diagnostic and therapeutic, as it helps immediately identify
and treat dissociation (spontaneous disengagement from unwanted emotions.) (Vasquez, S.
2013. Emotional Transformation Therapy, p115-147.) This is sometimes the modality used
first, especially if dissociation is a possible issue.

Specialized Googles- These are custom-built, specialized goggles which only let in a very small
beam of light, and is directed to peripheral parts of the retina. Data has shown that this
peripheral eye stimulation activates different neural networks than central retinal activation
and is especially helpful if one is overwhelmed, having migraine headaches, light sensitive,
trouble recalling a past incident, or struggling with inner conflict (Vasquez, S. 2013. Emotional
Transformation Therapy, p 149-176.) Although in theory, numerous angles could be used, for
practical purposes 12 angles (as on a clock face) usually are sufficient.

Colored wands- These are small wooden rods which have painted ends, and the color and
location of viewing is selected by the therapist. These multi-dimensional eye movements
(MDEM) are specific for an individual, and unlike eye movements which are induced in EMDR.
These are especially helpful for visually fixated trauma and are occasionally used.

How do I know if I might benefit from ETT?

Issues which commonly would lead someone to a psychotherapist include anxiety, depression,
phobias and relationship issues. ETT is not "skill – building," so specific skill training (i.e.,
improving interviewing skills, public speaking, communication skills,) would be done without
the use of specific ETT techniques.

If you have chronic relationship issues, in which friends or family often trigger you into an
unhappy, dysfunctional, emotional state and/or if you are unable to sustain long-term
relationships; ETT likely can be helpful.

In addition, some people use alcohol, drugs, self-injury (cutting,) involvement in behavioral
addictions (exercise, music, video games) as a way to deal with underlying issues. ETT methods
are frequently very helpful in accessing the “unbearable moment” before engaging in the
detrimental behavior and dealing with the hidden CEM. (Vasquez, Steven. 2019. Training: ETT-
Addictive Template.)

Physical states such as chronic pain, migraine headaches, chronic back pain, hypertension,
asthma, and immune system dysfunction (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus,
chronic fatigue syndrome;) all have psychological components and may benefit from ETT as an
addition to traditional medical treatment. (Vasquez, S. 2019. Training: Somatic Psychotherapy.)

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The treatment of personality disorders, brain injury, or obsessive-compulsive disorder take
extensive time, and have been treated exclusively by ETT.

Frequently asked questions

Medications: A majority of my ETT patients are taking medication, which has not resolved the
particular issues which are of current concern. Almost all issues involving anxiety (except severe
OCD) can be processed by ETT and the medications can be slowly tapered. If you are taking high
doses of benzodiazepines for anxiety, sometimes when they are tapered the ETT treatment
benefits decrease and a few more sessions are required. For that reason, and for many others, I
do not recommend chronic use of benzodiazepines.

Some medications are so effective at blocking emotional expression that some individuals are
not able to activate the neural networks which are needed for a successful process. In this case,
tapering the medication often allows for appropriate processing. Sometime antidepressant
medication can be tapered, if relevant issues have been processed and you are doing well. I do
not usually recommend tapering medication for mood stability or psychosis, although Dr.
Vasquez has treated these conditions successfully and has tapered medications in conjunction
with the patient’s psychiatrist.

Length of sessions: ETT psychotherapy is provided during a 50 min. psychotherapy session. If

you are taking medication, the discussion RE efficacy, side-effects, and dosage adjustment can
usually be performed relatively quickly, early in the session, and will leave time for ETT
psychotherapy. Additional visits to discuss medication issues are NOT needed if you are
receiving ETT treatment.

Number of sessions: This is hard to generalize, as there are so many variables. However, usually
one issue is resolved in a session or two. A majority of the time (60-70%) when an issue is
resolved it does not need further attention. However, 30-40%% of the time a patient wants to
come back and work on the same issue again. This may be done at the next visit, or after other
more pressing issues have been processed. Most individuals have 2-6 issues which need to be
processed. Sometimes other memories are recovered during therapy which require additional
sessions to process.

The therapy is very “issue driven," with you and I selecting which issue needs to be worked on
at each session. It is preferable to pursue therapy once per week, and rarely I may recommend
therapy more than once per week. This is similar to music lessons or learning a sport; the more
frequently one participates, the faster progress occurs. However, some patients cannot come
weekly and come every 2 to 3 weeks. Coming less frequently than every 3 weeks initially is not

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recommended, as life events may occur which interfere with the permeance of the treatment.
After 4-15 sessions, most individuals find lasting results and the sessions can be tapered and
stopped. Some individuals, with complex, severe issues may benefit from prolonged treatment.
A few individuals may want to pursue more spiritual issues with ETT after their “routine issues”
have been processed.

Any benefit in non-psychiatric conditions? As most illness and physical pain are stress-related,
many “non-psychiatric” conditions are also helped by ETT. Chronic pain is often helped by ETT,
as the neural circuits for physical pain are often shared by neural circuits for emotional
processing. This is why some “anti-depressants” are indicated in non-depressed patients with
pain. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain (chronic
low back pain, osteoarthritis) have been shown by the FDA to respond to certain anti-
depressants in non-depressed individuals, and these conditions also often respond to ETT. In
addition, unresolved emotions from the past often relate to current chronic pain (Vasquez, S.
2013. Emotional Transformation Therapy, p 1.) Other chronic pain states which have been
treated by ETT are migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, TMJ pain, Morton’s neuroma, and
sciatica.

Chronic pain from automobile accidents and cancer have often improved following ETT
treatment. Various types of insomnia have responded to ETT, as well as some types of
involuntary movement disorders (hyperactive attention deficit disorder, essential tremor,
Parkinson’s disease.)

Any spiritual elements to ETT?

A way to increase a sense of well-being and deal with spiritual issues has been developed. Dr.
Vasquez noted that many patients entered a particularly pleasant/powerful state of well-being
spontaneously at the end of the session. He developed a specific protocol to help promote this,
called the Samadhi Process. (Vasquez, S. 2017. Spiritually Transformative Therapy.) This is
especially helpful for high–level, global issues such as “becoming all I can be,” or “fulfilling
God’s purpose” or “being at peace.” This is usually done toward the conclusion of a series of
ETT treatments, although in rare circumstances it could be an early focus of treatment.

How does ETT compare to EMDR?

Both are experiential, as compared to cognitive, therapies. Both use eye movements to help
access problem states and facilitate memory retrieval. Both are similar in that homework or
preparation are not required. Both have been utilized for approximately 30 years. The
treatments were developed independently in the 1990s by Francine Shapiro (EMDR) and by
Steven Vasquez, PhD ( ETT.) EMDR has been standardized and is considered “evidence based”
for PTSD.

ETT is more verbally interactive, and also uses color to facilitate emotional progression and may
use flicker rate to help move brain waves to the most appropriate state (facilitating insight,
focusing attention, helping integration of learnings into both hemispheres.) Many people report

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undergoing EMDR treatment for years, whereas most patients find 4-15 sessions of ETT
sufficient, especially if undertaken once per week. There are some patients with severe, chronic
issues which benefit from more lengthy treatment. There are numerous patients who have
been helped by EMDR or ETT, although it is easier to find psychotherapists who have been
trained in EMDR. I will be glad to discuss these similarities and differences in more detail, and
answer whatever questions you might have.

What to do before sessions?

As the sessions are “issue driven,” prior consideration to selecting an “issue,” may save time,
although I will always discuss this with you and help to formulate the “issue” with you. In
selecting an “issue,” chose one which, “if resolved, will make a significant difference in your
life.” Common issues have been:

-recalling a severe traumatic incident (accident; verbal, sexual, or physical aggression)

-distress over blaming oneself over a loved one who suicided
-experiencing distress in a particular situation (enclosed spaces, public speaking, etc.)
-inability to get over a past relationship, or death of loved one
-mild/ moderate depression
-being “stuck” and unable to move on from a traumatic incident or relationship

For lasting results, the relevant neural networks need to be accessed. Therefore, taking a
substance/ medication to “calm down” (alcohol, benzodiazepines, candy, marijuana, nicotine)
prior to the session is not helpful, and actually slows the improvement process.

If you are taking medication to deal with the “issue(s,)” it will need to be lowered enough so
that you have access to some of the emotions during the session. After the issue is treated, we
can discuss a slow reduction of your medication to see if it is still necessary.

What to do after sessions?

As your brain is in a “moldable, transitional” state for 3-4 hours after a session, taking
psychoactive agents (alcohol, benzodiazepines, marijuana, nicotine) to “calm down” after a
session is rarely needed, and never recommended. It is also important to not discuss the
session with someone who is very negative or pessimistic for 3-4 hours, (until the learnings
have become more permanent.) It is highly recommended to review the session during the
“reconsolidation period” of 3-4 hours post treatment. This would entail reviewing the issue(s,)
additional memories, new insights, different perspectives, and future ways of coping differently
with respect to the issue(s.) This could be done by journaling, “talking to yourself,” or by
discussing this with a supportive and trusted friend or family member.

Any downsides to ETT?

As the various ETT methodologies all use “equipment” of one kind or another, phone sessions
are not possible. If for some reason you are unable to come for a session, the issues can be
discussed by tele-psychiatry (TheraLink,) but a particular ETT tool (chart, Light Device, etc.)
could not be used.

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Sometimes the changes are so profound and quick, that a person may be “dazed” or “doubtful”
as change this quick and profound is rare in psychotherapy. If this occurs, discussion of this
usually leads to a normalization/ acceptance fairly quickly. If these “transitional states” do
develop, I can discuss ways to help move through them.

Rarely patients see images or symbols in the Light Device which are frightening. This is a
variation of the Ganzfeld Effect, in which the brain “makes sense of” a uniform, unstructured
color field. This is somewhat similar to seeing “images” in the clouds, with different individuals
seeing different images from the same cloud images. Almost always these images have
meaning for the patient. Once this is understood, the patient is willing to continue with the
treatment.

There are certainly people who say “I don’t like it” after a session. This is quite rare, but it does
happen. Sometimes people do not want to deal with an “issue” which has been uncovered.
Other individuals are “used to” psychotherapies where they talk and the therapist “agrees and
is supportive” and they are not comfortable with in-depth, rapid progress. Of course, some
people have unrealistic high expectations and are disappointed when one session is not
curative. A majority of the time discussion, and clarification of concerns, will allow continuation
of ETT treatment.

Sometimes a person insists on “no more ETT” for some reason, and of course I will be
cooperative and utilize some other treatment modality. Since I started my training in 1970, I
have learned many different types of psychotherapy, and almost always have been able to
work with the patient’s concerns to find a workable and beneficial solution.

How does ETT work?

I’ve left this for the last, as it is very complex. To begin with, the exact way psychiatric
medication works is unknown. Early in the long handouts prepared by the FDA for every
psychiatric medication is the statement, “the exact mechanism of action is unknown.”
However, part of the action is known with medication is known. With SSRIs used for depression,
there is “selective serotonin reuptake inhibition.” However, this happens rapidly, yet clinical
response is delayed by 10-20 days, so there are other mechanisms involved.

It is known that light is electromagnetic energy, with different frequencies leading to different
color perception. In the eyes, the colored light is converted to electromagnetic impulses, which
travel throughout the brain (Vasquez, S. 2013. Emotional Transformation Therapy, p 13.)
Biochemical activities and electromagnetic activities in the body react in complex ways, and
affect our thought, feelings and behavior. Electrical convulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial
magnetic stimulation (TMS) are other methods which use electromagnetic energy, although in a
much more invasive manner.

In addition, it is clear that relationships affect brain structure and neurotransmitter function. A
key element of ETT is that it is psychotherapy given in the context of a supportive, caring
relationship.

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 SUMMARY
ETT is a cutting-edge, color assisted psychotherapy which I have been utilizing since 2017.
Approximately 2000 psychotherapists in numerous countries and the US have been trained in
ETT methods and find it exceedingly useful. I have been trained in and am competent in various
psychotherapies, especially Neuro-Linguistic Therapy (NLP) and Internal Family Systems (IFS.)
However, I have found that adding ETT methodologies (color, flicker rate, peripheral eye
stimulation) produces quicker and longer lasting results, so I frequently utilize ETT methods
during psychotherapy. The color serves as a catalyst to help facilitate insight, behavioral
change, self-regulation and resilience. I will be glad to answer whatever questions you have
regarding how this may help you to improve your life. If interested, call 210-994-6336 and set
up an appointment with Linda.

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