Chaining Anchors

Purpose of the Technique:

In this anchoring technique, several anchors are triggered in sequence. This creates a *chain of anchors* that can guide you from very negative emotional states into very positive ones.
Sometimes the desired state is emotionally too far from the starting point. In such cases, a sequence of intermediate states is necessary to move quickly from an undesired state to a desired one using anchors:

Step 1

Elicit the initial (problem) state.

Step 2

Define the desired target state with the client.

Step 3

Design a chain of emotional states together with the client that naturally leads to the desired state.

Step 4

Anchor each individual state (e.g., on a finger knuckle). Use a separator and test each anchor before moving on.

Step 5

Fire the first anchor and wait until the client's physiology fully reflects the state. Then release the anchor and wait about 1–2 seconds before firing the next anchor. Continue this process until you reach the target state.

Step 6

Take a break of a few minutes to allow the client to fully step out of the state. This ensures there’s no risk of the last state linking back to the first. Then repeat the full sequence from the beginning. Go through the anchor chain three times.

Step 7

Test: Fire the first anchor and calibrate whether the chained sequence now runs automatically.

Step 8

Future Pace

Example: From Hesitation to “Go for it!”

Step 1

Hesitation
Ask your partner to recall a situation where they knew what they wanted but still hesitated. Guide them to associate fully with that moment (using VAKOG) and anchor the state on the knuckle of the pinky finger (A1). Increase pressure as the intensity of the experience rises.
Then remove your finger and interrupt the state (“Separator”).

Step 2

Annoyance
Repeat Step 1 with the emotional state of “annoyance” instead of hesitation.
Anchor it on the ring finger knuckle (A2) – Separator.

Step 3

Impatience
Repeat Step 1 with “impatience.”
Anchor on the middle finger knuckle (A3) – Separator.

Step 4

Uncontainable Excitement
Repeat Step 1 with a situation where your partner was so excited they could hardly wait for something.
Anchor on the index finger knuckle (A4) – Separator.

Step 5

Go for it!
Repeat Step 1 with a memory where your partner had a “no holding back” feeling—total action mode.
Anchor on the thumb knuckle (A5) – Separator.

Step 6

Chaining
Start again with A1 (hesitation), then move to A2 (annoyance), then A3 (impatience), then A4 (excitement), and finally A5 (“go for it!”).
Repeat this sequence several times—each time faster—until firing A1 leads automatically to the final state.

Step 7

Test / Future Pace
Ask your partner to imagine a future situation where they’d usually hesitate even though they know what’s best. Then ask how their thoughts and feelings shift when you briefly trigger A1. If “go for it!” doesn’t come up yet, return to Step 6.