Australia Resource Therapy Institute

May 7, 2025

Why Resource Therapy Changed My Practice: A Clinician’s Testimonial

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When seasoned trauma therapist Angela O., an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and EMDR practitioner, completed her Clinical Resource Therapy training, she never imagined the profound shift it would bring—not just to her clients but also to herself.

“As a trauma therapist, I have ventured through a myriad of therapeutic approaches—including EMDR, Trauma-Focused CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Schema Therapy. Yet none have been as transformative as Resource Therapy.”

Angela’s words speak to something many of us in the helping professions know too well: even the best-known trauma therapies can fall short when a client’s inner world remains fragmented, their parts unseen or unheard. That is where Resource Therapy steps in.

“Resource Therapy profoundly honours the lived experiences of clients, fostering a sacred space where all facets of their being are not only acknowledged but celebrated.”

In one powerful example, Angela shares how just three sessions of Resource Therapy helped a client find her voice after years of being silenced.

“For the first time in her life, she was able to articulate her needs to the person who had long disempowered her. We uncovered her core needs and dismantled the trauma script that kept her stuck in a cycle of pain.”

Angela now integrates Resource Therapy seamlessly into her trauma work—and often uses it as a stand-alone intervention with elegant, client-led results.

“It beautifully complements other therapeutic modalities, but as a stand-alone approach, it shines. I am a devoted advocate for its benefits.”

She also speaks from the heart about the clinical training experience:

“I cannot express enough gratitude to Philipa and Chris for their generous support, and to Professor Gordon Emmerson, the visionary founder. Their authenticity and vast expertise create an inspiring and powerful learning environment.”

With warmth, professionalism, and deep conviction, Angela offers this endorsement to her peers:

“I wholeheartedly recommend Resource Therapy to any therapist or client eager to connect with those often elusive parts of themselves—those fundamental aspects that shape our identities and the meanings we assign to our lives.”

Ready to discover the power of parts therapy for yourself?
Explore our Clinical Resource Therapy Training Program and join a global community of trauma-informed therapists creating change from the inside out.

May 7, 2025May 6, 2025

Beyond talk therapy: Why Parts-Based Interventions are Essential for Results

Meet your Inner Crew Your Resources all valued

Mental health issues and awareness are surging, with therapists like you leading the change – thank you! You did not stumble into this profession by chance, you were called to it.

You chose a vocation rooted in meaning, healing, and the deep privilege of helping people transform their lives. Likewise, you are amazing.

Across the Australia, NZ, USA and Europe, Parts Therapies are generating significant buzz, and for good reason. This is not just a passing trend. The therapeutic world is recognising that working with the internal personality parts, especially those holding pain, protection or conflict – unlocks powerful healing outcomes.

As a dedicated therapist, you have already invested countless hours mastering models such as client-centred therapy, ACT, EMDR, IFS, and mindfulness. Yet even with a full toolkit, there are moments when clients get stuck, when progress stalls, or when resistance dominates the room.

This is where Resource Therapy (RT) can make all the difference.

Developed by Professor Gordon Emmerson, Resource Therapy is an advanced, clinically structured parts-based model that builds on the best of Ego State Therapy. It offers a clear, step-by-step protocol to directly access and work with the precise part of the personality that holds the issue.

RT’s 15 Treatment Actions give you a roadmap – no guesswork, no vague metaphors – just practical, client led targeted interventions that help clients shift long-standing emotional and behavioural patterns.

What Makes RT Unique? Unlike other Parts-based therapies, Resource Therapy:

Works at the root cause of psychological distress
Provides a roadmap for change with clear clinical steps
It is designed for brief, effective interventions
Empowers the client by validating all inner parts
Integrates seamlessly with trauma-informed practices

Picture yourself confidently guiding clients through transformative breakthroughs. Whether it is childhood trauma, inner critic patterns, or self-sabotage, Resource Therapy provides clarity and direction. You will not only understand what to do, but also why it works, grounded in neuropsychological insights and therapeutic experience.

In 2025, you are invited to join us for our flagship Resource Therapy programs. Choose from:

Live online Clinical training with full Clinical Certification – ideal for Australian and international therapists
Immersive in-person training in Bali – a restorative retreat and professional upgrade rolled into one. Fully booked. Now taking registrations of interest for 2026.
Live online Advanced Clinical Train the Trainer program with full Trainers Certification – ideal for Australian and international Clinical Resource therapists ready to take the next step in sharing RT with others.
Specialty Master Classes – Expert Trauma therapists, Imago Relationship Therapists, training in person in Sydney, November this year!

Ass options provide high-level learning in a warm, supportive environment guided by master trainers and psychologists Philipa Thornton, Chris Paulin with special guest Gordon Emmerson dropping in to teach.

Whether you are a seasoned clinician or a curious practitioner looking to expand your skills, this is your opportunity to experience how Resource Therapy can revolutionise your practice – and your clients’ lives.

🎓 Places are limited – early bird discounts apply. Payment plans and Sponsorship.
🌏 Click here to secure your spot for our 2025 trainings in Australia or Bali.

May 6, 2025

Unlocking Healing Through Memory Reconsolidation: The Power of Resource Therapy

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Memory reconsolidation is a groundbreaking concept in neuroscience that has transformative implications for psychotherapy. It refers to the process where reactivated memories temporarily become malleable, allowing them to be modified before being stored again. This phenomenon offers a unique opportunity to rewrite maladaptive emotional responses tied to distressing memories. Resource Therapy (RT) seamlessly integrates memory reconsolidation principles through techniques such as Vaded State work and the Empowerment Protocol, delivering profound benefits for clients and therapists alike.

What is Memory Reconsolidation?

Memory reconsolidation occurs when a previously stored memory is reactivated, providing a brief window for emotional and cognitive updates. Research shows that this process can replace old, maladaptive memories with new, adaptive ones when specific steps are followed. For therapy, this means that instead of simply managing symptoms, we can address the root cause of psychological distress by altering the original emotional encoding of traumatic events.

The Resource Therapy Approach

Resource Therapy, developed by Professor Gordon Emmerson, provides a structured framework for working with personality parts, or ‘Resources’. These Resources can carry unresolved emotional burdens from past experiences. The key Resource Therapy techniques – Vaded State work a.k.a the Empowerment Protocol – are especially effective in utilising memory reconsolidation principles.

Vaded States – Addressing Distressed Parts

Vaded States are personality parts overwhelmed by negative emotions such as shame, fear or rejection. These states often stem from traumatic or unmet needs in the past. When a Vaded State is activated, individuals may experience intense emotional reactions, avoidance or maladaptive coping mechanisms.

In therapy, identifying and addressing Vaded States directly is crucial. By working with these distressed parts, therapists can help clients process unresolved emotions, facilitating healing at a deep, foundational level.

The Empowerment Protocol – Transforming Distress into Resilience

The Empowerment Protocol is a step-by-step method for working with Vaded States holding unprocessed fear or rejection to enable memory reconsolidation. It consists of the following stages:

Activation to Access the Distressed Resource
The therapist identifies and brings forth the specific part of the personality associated with the distressing memory. This step allows the client to focus on the emotions and thoughts tied to the original experience.
Bridging to the Originating Event
Using techniques like ‘Vivify Specific’, the client is guided to connect with the sensory and emotional aspects of the original event. This is a critical step as it activates the neural network associated with the memory.
Empowerment Attachment, Repair and Reprocessing
In this stage, the therapist helps the distressed part express its unmet needs. Other internal resources are brought forward to provide support, enabling the client to experience the memory in a new, more positive way. We find a nurturing resource, a part of the clients internal system to care and share kindness with deep compassion.
Integration and Reconsolidation
The newly reprocessed memory is integrated into the client’s emotional framework. This ensures that the distressing memory is reconsolidated with adaptive emotional responses, effectively transforming its impact on the individual.

Why Memory Reconsolidation Matters for Clients

Clients struggling with PTSD, anxiety, depression or unresolved trauma often feel trapped in cycles of distress. Memory reconsolidation offers a way out by fundamentally changing the way they relate to past experiences.

Relief from Triggers – By addressing the emotional root of a traumatic memory, clients can experience lasting relief from triggers that previously caused distress.
Empowerment – The process of working with distressed parts helps clients feel in control of their healing journey. They gain confidence in their ability to address and transform difficult emotions.
Improved Relationships – Unresolved trauma often impacts interpersonal relationships. By healing these wounds, clients can connect with others more authentically and without the barriers created by their past.

Why Memory Reconsolidation Matters for Therapists

For therapists, understanding and applying memory reconsolidation is a game-changer. It allows them to work more effectively, delivering results that are not only significant but also enduring.

Deeper healing – Memory reconsolidation targets the root cause of distress, offering clients a path to lasting change rather than symptom management.
Evidence-based practice – Numerous studies support the effectiveness of memory reconsolidation in treating conditions like PTSD, phobias, and anxiety disorders. For example, Ecker et al. (2012) demonstrated the utility of reconsolidation in dismantling traumatic emotional learnings.
Professional growth – Resource Therapy provides a clear, structured framework for engaging clients in transformative work. Therapists trained in these techniques can expand their skill set and confidence in treating complex cases.

Evidence Supporting Memory Reconsolidation and Resource Therapy

Research underscores the effectiveness of memory reconsolidation in transforming maladaptive emotional responses. A key study by Monfils et al. (2009) demonstrated how reconsolidation can reduce conditioned fear responses in a laboratory setting. This evidence has profound implications for therapy, where similar mechanisms can be applied to address trauma and anxiety.

Resource Therapy aligns seamlessly with these findings. By directly engaging the emotional and sensory components of memories, RT ensures that reconsolidation occurs in a targeted, therapeutic context. Anecdotal evidence from therapists worldwide highlights the efficacy of the Empowerment Protocol in bringing about lasting change for clients.

Practical Applications for Clients and Therapists

The integration of memory reconsolidation into Resource Therapy is not just a theoretical concept – it is a practical, actionable approach with tangible benefits.

For Clients – If you have struggled with trauma, anxiety or feelings of being stuck, Resource Therapy offers a way to heal deeply and effectively. By addressing the specific parts of your personality tied to distressing memories, you can experience a newfound sense of peace and empowerment.
For Therapists, incorporating Resource Therapy into your practice can enhance your ability to facilitate transformative healing. RT’s structured techniques make it accessible and effective, whether you are working with trauma, relationship issues, or personal growth.

Memory reconsolidation is a revolutionary concept that has redefined what is possible in psychotherapy. By integrating this neuroscience-backed process into Resource Therapy through techniques like Vaded State work and the Empowerment Protocol, clients can achieve lasting transformation and see profound results.

For both clients and therapists, the promise of memory reconsolidation is clear: it offers a path to healing that not only addresses symptoms but redefines how we relate to our past, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future.

References

Ecker, B., Ticic, R., & Hulley, L. (2012). Unlocking the emotional brain: Eliminating symptoms at their roots using memory reconsolidation. Routledge.

Emmerson, G. (2012). Healthy parts, happy self: 3 steps to like yourself. Emmerson Psychology Press.

Monfils, M. H., Cowansage, K. K., Klann, E., & LeDoux, J. E. (2009). Extinction–reconsolidation boundaries: Key to persistent attenuation of fear memories. Science, 324(5929), 951 – 955. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1167975

Nader, K., & Hardt, O. (2009). A single standard for memory: The case for reconsolidation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(3), 224 – 234. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2590