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The SuperKid Technique By Stanford J. Alexander I was recently at the home of a friend and he told me of his son having trouble sleeping with a light on, yet at the same time fearing being in the dark. The dilemma had cost the family many nights sleep. Knowing my interests and background, he asked if I would talk with his son. I credit the following technique to a 5 year old. It was while talking to him and his telling me about favorite TV shows that the idea came into my mind. 1. Establish Rapport with the child. 2. Elicit and gather information. I was surprised at how well he was able to answer my information gathering questions. His responses were very honest and revealed much. I asked the boy to tell me about his favorite shows/movies and what he liked about each character. 3. Find a character or superhero that the child feels provides the feelings he/she needs. These could include safety, security, power, etc. 4. Create a movie. The child is then asked to imagine that he is at the movies watching a film, or viewing a TV show, of the chosen character. 5. As the child watches the movie, guide the child to imagine the character talking to him/her and saying that he/she will become a part of the child and lend him/her the needed qualities when they are required. In some ways it would be like ET telling Elliot that he will be right in him near the end of the movie ET. 6. The child is then told to imagine the character coming off the screen and standing in front of him/her and to stretch his/her arms out to hug the character and pull it into the solar plexus. In actual use tell the child to pull the hero into the heart. 7. Future Pace. Have the child imagine what is will be like to go into the future with this hero right there in him/her. For example: "Imagine how great it will be tonight to be able to go to bed and turn off the light with Batman and all of his courage right there (pointing to child's chest) in you. Obviously, with him there you can easily and naturally feel safe in the dark and sleep well." I recommend future pacing at least three probable events. 8. Test: Ask the child to imagine whatever it is you are working on. In this case I asked him to imagine going to bed at night and turning off the light, knowing that his hero was giving him all the courage, power and security he could ever need. He did it and told me it felt fine. Results: His parents called the next day and told me that their son had slept well and that they owed me a steak dinner.
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