The Triple Double is a phrase I coined when discovering from experience in the director’s role that by “Bookending” the protagonist with the Body Double and the Containing Double and using the Classical Double between them, the protagonist can accurately label feelings while remaining in the “Window of Tolerance”.

The Body Double grounds the protagonist firmly in feeling safe in the body.  Next the Classical Double gives the protagonist access to feelings and gives them voice; the Containing Double maintains the integrity of the “Window of Tolerance” by providing safety and containment for strong feelings through statements of reflection, containment and grounding in the hear and now.

Example

Body Double:  I can feel all four corners of both feet firmly grounded on the floor.

I can feel my breath coming in from ,my nose, expanding my ribcage, and as my chest rises and falls . . .

Classical Double:  I feel my sadness from being betrayed.

Containing Double:  While feeling my sadness I can lift my eyelids and see my strengths around me and be assured that no one here will betray me.

I used the three doubles flexibly adapting to the in-the-moment needs of the protagonist.

Linda A. Ciotola, M.Ed., CET III, TEP, TSM Trainer   www.healing-bridges.com