The loop is a simple yet profound analogy in process based behavioural therapy (PBBT) that helps us navigate complex emotional landscapes and can be transformative for clients in therapy.
What is the loop?
The loop is an analogy that illustrates how our feelings and situations can often trap us in a repetitive cycle. When someone finds themselves in a challenging emotional state, they may feel as if they are caught in a loop. This loop represents a passive position where the individual feels overwhelmed by their circumstances, rather than actively engaging with them.
Key features of the loop
- Passive experience: the first insight of the loop is recognising that the client is in a passive state. Instead of taking action (therefore being in an active position), they may feel like they are being tossed about, akin to being in a washing machine, churning around. The realisation of being stuck in this passive loop is crucial because it can shift the perspective from self-blame to understanding by fostering more of a compassionate position.
- Evidence gathering: the loop maintains itself by gathering information from client’s past behaviours and experiences and especially evidence that supports a client’s unhelpful beliefs about themselves— such as thoughts of defectiveness or being unworthy. This evidence not only reinforces the loop but also deepens their emotional distress.
- Breaking the cycle: the goal is to help clients see that, while they did not choose to enter the loop, they are actively maintaining it by continuously providing evidence that supports its validity. By recognising this, clients can begin to reduce the amount of evidence they gather, thereby weakening the loop’s hold on them.
How the loop works in therapy
When clients begin to understand the loop, they can start to identify the specific thoughts and behaviours that contribute to their ongoing struggles. For example, if someone believes they are a ‘bad person’, they might recall past mistakes to justify that belief. This evidence serves to keep them trapped in their negative self-perception.
The intervention focuses on:
- Awareness: helping clients recognise when they are passively caught in the loop and how their ongoing behaviour contributes to the loop’s continuation.
- Reducing evidence: encouraging clients to notice this evidence gathering, allowing them to interrupt the process of information gathering and consider.
- Empowerment: shifting from a passive to an active stance, allowing clients to reclaim control over their actions and behaviours.
The analogy of the loop is a powerful tool in PBBT, offering clients a framework to understand their emotional experiences. By highlighting the passive nature of their current situation and the role they play in maintaining it, clients can begin to break free from the cycle of negative self-judgement. This understanding can not only diminish the intensity of their stuckness but also fosters a path toward empowerment and healing.
Download a visual of ‘the loop’ in our resource hub and watch one of the founders of PBBT Dr Yvonne Barnes-Holmes talk through the analogy in this video taken from our “Expert tips” YouTube series:
We are really excited to be joined by Dr Yvonne Barnes-Holmes in 2025 for Applying RFT in therapeutic settings: Enhancing interventions with process based behaviour therapy (PBBT). This lecture will introduce you to the therapeutic use of PBBT, exploring the theoretical connection between PBBT and RFT. Visit the workshop page to find out more and sign up today!
