BEMS Reports. 2021; 7(2): 13-14.

A Multifaceted Peer Reviewed Journal in the field of Biology, Medicine, Engineering and Science Short Report
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Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT): An Emerging

Non-invasive Therapeutic Modality
Savitha Raveendran1, Chandrasekaran Kaliaperumal2,*

We write to highlight an emerging non-invasive neurocognitive, and clinical investigations and

therapeutic option that can be potentially used interventions. Despite abundant reports about the
for various medical ailments. RTT is Rapid effectiveness of suggestions in altering behaviour,
Transformational Therapy, a hybrid therapy perception, cognition, and subjective sense of agency
developed by Marisa Peer in England, UK.1 It (SoA), there is no consensus about the neurocognitive
combines the best principles of hypnotherapy, mechanisms driving these changes. Zahedi and
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Neuro- Sommer propose a novel theory of hypnosis,
Linguistic Programming that offers fast effective results accounting for empirical evidence and synthesizing
for a range of psychological, psychiatric and physical concepts from hypnosis and neurocognitive theories.2
conditions. As opposed to traditional therapies, RTT The proposed simulation-adaption theory of hypnosis
is a solution-focussed treatment offering rapid, effective (SATH) is founded on three elements: cognitive-
and long-lasting change usually within one (or within simulation, top-down sensory-adaptation, and
three maximum) session. RTT embraces the positive mental training. SATH mechanistically explains
aspects of all the above techniques that are known different hypnotic phenomena, such as alterations in
to produce a transformative effect on the clients. the SoA, positive and negative hallucinations, motor
Hypnotherapy uses trance, regression and hypnotic suggestions, and effects of suggestions on executive
conditioning. RTT goes beyond this process, Marisa
functions and memory.2 Besides this Neuroplasticity
identified that regardless of their issue, in sessions
and brain conditioning play an important role to
clients benefitted from her applying a particular set
support this therapeutic modality. Daniel Collerton
of techniques over and over again. These insights
in his review describe Cognitive Behavioural
provided the foundations for RTT to emerge as a
Therapy (CBT), and probably other psychotherapies,
distinctive approach.
altering the consciousness in personally important,
Why RTT? How is it different? lasting, and measurable ways.3 Looking at functional
changes in the brain suggests that consciousness
Savitha Raveendran1,
It is well known that patients are time starved and
changes in response to plasticity in the linked
Chandrasekaran
seek medical and psychological help when they go
Kaliaperumal2,*
through pain; emotional or physical. RTT delivers systems of the frontal, cingulate, and limbic cortices.
rapid results – usually within one session and in certain However, we do not know how modulations in those 1
Department of Psychiatry, Royal
conditions up to three sessions. The other difference areas link to different states of consciousness. The Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK.
with RTT is that it works by empowering the clients. ultimate goal of any psychotherapy is to induce 2
Department of Clinical
By using a tool RFPI (role, function, purpose, intention), Neuroscience, Royal Infirmary of
neural plasticity in a manner that restores the full
Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
it honours and values the significance the client original function and potential of the affected part
attaches to their issues/problems and then offers a of the brain. Usciscinka et al. describe how evidence- Correspondence
powerful emotional release for them. RTT draws out based treatments achieves their therapeutic effects
Mr. Chandrasekaran Kaliaperumal
the so called ‘unfinished business’ within client’s issue on the level of cerebral reorganisation across a host FRCSEd (Neuro.Surg)
using various tools within the scope of this therapy of psychiatric disorders.4 They focus on the posited
Department of Clinical Neuroscience,
and effectively addresses the trauma that clients mechanism of neuroplasticity on neural-systems Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh,
have been holding onto for many years. “Dialogue level for each treatment modality. UK.
with the hurter” for example one of the tools of this
Marion Solomon and Daniel Seigel5 in their book Phone no: +44 1315361000;
therapy offers a therapeutic space for dialogue and E-mail: [email protected]
have elaborated a unique compilation of techniques
communication with significant others. The client/
aimed at using the client-therapist alliance to support History
patient collaborates with the therapist in uncovering •  Submission Date: 02-07-2021;
emotional change. Their compilation succinctly gather
the meaning and interpretation of significant life- •  Review completed: 04-08-2021;
new perspectives on how to approach the process of
events and then changing them. This often leads to •  Accepted Date: 15-08-2021.
change in therapy and have discussed neural circuitry
powerful shift and permanent change.
and the potential for therapeutic neuroplasticity, the DOI : 10.5530/bems.7.2.6
Neurophysiological basis of RTT psychobiological effects of productive communication
Article Available online
Hypnotic and posthypnotic suggestions are frequently and internal reflection including working with http://www.bemsreports.org
and successfully implemented in behavioural, children, couples, and groups. These theories along
Copyright
© 2021 Phcog.Net. This is an open-
access article distributed under the terms
Cite this article : Raveendran S, Kaliaperumal C. Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT): An Emerging Non-invasive
of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Therapeutic Modality. BEMS Reports. 2021;7(2):13-4.
International license.

BEMS Reports, Vol 7, Issue 2, Jul-Dec, 2021 13

 Raveendran and Kaliaperumal.: Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT)

with hypnotic conditioning6 support the neurophysiological basis of bespoke audio recording for 10-21 days to cement the change that the
RTT. session initiates. It is therefore essential to ascertain the level of
motivation and commitment each client/patient presents with. During
What conditions can this be used for?
the initial assessment the therapist ascertains the level of motivation the
Table 1 and 2 highlight some of the areas where RTT is used and going client presents with and takes on the client when all essential criteria are
forward will prove beneficial for the wider public. satisfied.
Who this NOT for?
RTT uses among its process, a segment of regression which is unsuitable
CONCLUSION
for anyone diagnosed with Schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, Rendering this therapy is by trained therapists in RTT. There are
epilepsy and any condition that may precipitate dissociation. RTT is Licensed RTT therapists across the globe currently practising this
prescribed after a careful evaluation in which the therapist conducts a technique. If this therapy gains more scientific ground, it can be a part
‘discovery call’ accompanied by review of an Intake form which consists of holistic medical management for patients aiming to address a range
of all preliminary medical, biopsychosocial background information. of ailments. We acknowledge the fact that there is paucity of evidence
As part of this therapy, the client has the responsibility to listen to their to prove the benefits of RTT apart from its subjective effectiveness. A
proposal has been submitted to the NHS Lincolnshire Trust in England
to see how this can benefit healthcare workers’ mental health during the
Table 1: Conditions that respond to RTT COVID-19 pandemic. RTT may prove to be a cost effective therapeutic
Addictions Anxiety Mood Disorders modality especially in chronic pain clinics and migraine clinics for
Smoking Stress Depressive disorder example. The fact that this can be delivered more than once safely without
any side effects will be an added advantage both in paediatric and adult
Alcohol Phobias Motivation
population. Perhaps a prospective randomised study comparing RTT to
Recreational drugs Panic attacks Procrastination other therapy may prove beneficial to prove its efficacy in the long term.
Gambling Generalised anxiety Self-esteem and
disorder confidence CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Compulsive behaviour Nail biting Sleep issues The authors declare no conflict of interest.
OCD Sexual issues
Insomnia and sleep Relationship issues
REFERENCES
disorders 1. Available from: https://rtt.com/whatisrtt/ [cited 11/8/2021].
2.  Zahedi A, Sommer W. How hypnotic suggestions work – critical review of
prominent theories and a novel synthesis; 2021, January 27. doi: 10.31234/osf.
io/mp9bs.
3.  Collerton Daniel. Psychotherapy and brain plasticity. Front Psychol.
Table 2: Other conditions where RTT is beneficial September 06 2013;4:548. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00548, PMID 24046752.
Career Physical issues Others 4.  Uscinska Maria, Mattiot Andrea Polla, Bellino Silvio. Treatment-induced brain
plasticity in psychiatric disorders. Submitted: November 15th 2018 Reviewed:
Interview skills Chronic pain, Migraines Childhood issues February 25; August 1 2019. p. 2019 Published. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.85448.
Public speaking Skin, hair issues Sports performance 5.  Solomon Marion F, Siegel Daniel J. How people change: relationships and
neuroplasticity in psychotherapy (Norton series on interpersonal neurobiology.
Exams Mobility Memory issues Psychology. 2017:320.
6.  Clarence Leuba (1955) Conditioning during hypnosis, Journal of Clinical and Ex-
Achieving goals Food and weight issues Life purpose perimental Hypnosis, 3:4, 256-259, DOI: 10.1080/00207145508410160

Cite this article : Raveendran S, Kaliaperumal C. Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT): An Emerging Non-invasive Therapeutic Modality. BEMS Reports.
2021;7(2):13-4.

14 BEMS Reports, Vol 7, Issue 2, Jul-Dec, 2021