The client visualizes a sturdy, securely sealable container — a safe, a chest, a locked room — and mentally places into it the disturbing thoughts, images, and feelings linked to the trauma. This exercise creates a psychological boundary between therapy work and everyday life. The container image can be reinforced with bilateral stimulation. The client knows that the material does not disappear but is held safely until the next session.
Step-by-step guide
- "Choose a container: a box, a chest, a vault, a room — anything you like"
- "Make sure it is sturdy, safe, and can be securely closed"
- "Place into it the disturbing thoughts, images, and feelings that trouble you"
- Reinforce the container image with several sets of BLS (optional)
- "Close the container. It will stay closed until we continue the work in the next session"
- Practice the instruction for use between sessions
When to use
- The client fears losing control of emotions between sessions
- Unfinished reprocessing — material needs to be "set aside" until the next meeting
- Complex trauma (the client may be overwhelmed by the material)
- Resistance or fear of reprocessing
- Session closure (Phase 7)
Key phrases
Between our sessions, disturbing thoughts and images may come up. When they do — mentally place them into your container, close it, and tell yourself: I will deal with this in the next session. The container is safe and sturdy.
Follow-up questions
What do you see — what does your container look like?
Is it sturdy enough? Does it close securely?
When you have closed it — what do you feel?
Alternative phrasings
Imagine that the container has a lock and only you have the key
You can take the material back out of the container only here, in our work
Warnings
- ⚠️ With paranoia — the container can amplify control; use carefully
- ⚠️ If there is a risk of avoidance — combine with a clear agreement to continue the work
- ⚠️ The container is not a suppression technique — explain the difference to the client
Source: Shapiro, 2001, 2018
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.