Evidence & evaluation
What it draws on, and what it doesn’t claim.
Credibility comes from being clear about what is known, what is informed by research, and what still needs to be shown.
Four kinds of evidence, kept separate.
Component evidence
The Manse Method® has been developed using principles drawn from research into memory reconsolidation, prediction and emotional learning, and attention.
That research does not constitute direct evidence for The Manse Method® itself.
Practitioner experience
Every practitioner submits written and video case studies for certification. After that, certified practitioners submit two client-session videos each year as part of their annual quality review. These document individual practice.
Case studies describe practitioner and client experience. They are not controlled outcome data.
Internal evaluation
We continue to develop the method and gather evaluation data. Findings will be published here when they are robust enough to share.
No internal evaluation results are published at present.
Direct evidence for the complete method
There is not yet published research evaluating The Manse Method® as a complete method. Our longer-term aim is to support formal research into it.
The Manse Method® is not described as scientifically proven.
Background: memory and emotion.
Most of us can remember unpleasant experiences without feeling as though they are happening again. But some memories stay emotionally charged. A person may know an event is over, yet still experience fear, distress or an automatic emotional response when something reminds them of it.
Memory is not simply a recording
When we recall an experience, the brain reconstructs it using stored information, associations, emotional learning and previous experience. This helps explain why the factual memory of an event can remain while the way we feel about it can change.
Memory reconsolidation
Research suggests that, under certain conditions, aspects of a recalled memory may become temporarily open to updating before being stored again. This is known as memory reconsolidation. It does not mean forgetting what happened or replacing the memory. It offers one possible explanation for how the emotional response associated with a memory may change while the memory itself remains.
Prediction
The brain constantly uses previous experience to predict what is likely to happen next. A response that was useful during an earlier threatening experience can continue after the danger has passed. Research suggests change may become possible when the brain encounters information that differs from what it expected, sometimes called prediction error. This remains an active area of neuroscience research.
What we don’t claim.
- That The Manse Method® is scientifically proven.
- That it erases or removes memories.
- That it works for everyone, or produces a particular result.
- That it replaces medical, psychological, psychiatric or other regulated healthcare treatment.