This format is used repeatedly in many other NLP formats and as a foundational technique. You can use it to intensify or diminish states—for example, to build motivation or reduce fear. SM stands for Submodalities. “A” is the client/coachee, “B” is the coach.

Process

Step 1

Identify Submodalities (SM):
A accesses a positive state. B elicits the submodalities with the aid of an SM-list (size, color, frame, loudness, temperature, etc.) and notes the results.
Separator.
A moves into a less pleasant state that they want to de-stress later; B elicits SM here as well and notes them.
Separator.
B ensures A returns to a good state.
Compare the SM of the positive state with those of the negative state. Which key differences appear?

Tips for Eliciting SM:

• Visual: What do you see? More like a picture or a film? If a picture, is there a frame or not? Near or far? etc.
• Auditory: What do you hear? Mostly voices, noises, sounds, or silence? If a voice, where does it come from? High pitch or low pitch? etc.
• Kinesthetic: If associated: Which bodily sensations come with this experience? Where exactly do you feel it in your body? Temperature? If yes, warmer or colder? etc.
• If dissociated: Does this person in the picture have bodily feelings about the experience? If yes, where exactly in the body do you feel them? etc.

Important: Distinguish carefully between physical sensations (kinesthetics) and emotions (meta-feelings). Meta-feelings are evaluative emotions formed from all sensory information. Kinesthetic sensations are purely physical feelings, e.g. warmth in the chest area. Meta-feelings serve in SM work as a check for how a particular SM (the sensory representation of an experience) affects you.

Step 2

Identify “Critical Submodalities” and Intensify a Positive Experience:
A reaccesses the positive experience from Step 1: changes the SM of that state one by one, carefully noting any shift in the meta-feeling. Is it worse (K–) or better (K++)? Does changing one SM automatically change others? If yes, you found a critical submodality!
C notes the results.
Return each SM to its original setting, then change the next. Having found A’s critical SM, choose those that led to K++ and intensify them. Ask A how the experience has become stronger.

Step 3

Find “Critical Submodalities” and Diminish an Unpleasant Experience:
A reaccesses the less pleasant state from Step 1.
Change one SM at a time, noticing how the meta-feeling shifts: K– or K++?
Does changing one SM automatically change others? If yes, that’s a critical SM!
C notes the results.
Return the SM to its original setting, then move on to the next.
Having found A’s critical SM, pick those that led to K neutral or K+ and change them. Notice how A’s experience has altered. Pay attention to ecology.