Developing Awareness

This chapter discusses how to identify the unit of the client's tic or habit of interest, defined around the principal tic or habit, and different methods to observe it and describe it; how to improve awareness and attention; and how to note premonitory urges and the principal parameters of the tic or habit, for example, by making a video and discovering thoughts, actions, and behaviors associated with the tic or habit using self-reflection and self-report. The way to change awareness is by first and foremost changing the details habitually attended to in the tic or habit. But this change of focus requires developing the ability to concentrate on the tic or habit or tension whilst doing other activities—in other words dividing attention. The chapter recommends the three tools to obtain client's feedback: filming a video of the tic or habit; involving a friend or a trusted B.e.s.t. Buddy in observation; and attentional focus by self-observation.