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Kahlers Process Scripts

Kahler's Process Scripts describes six "miniscripts" that shape people's thinking: After, Until, Always, Never, Almost I, and Almost II. These scripts are related to one's perception of time and tendency to focus on the past, present, or future. For example, "After" thinking considers what will happen after a negative event, like losing a job. "Until" thinking assumes the present will continue negatively until some future positive event. Recognizing these thinking patterns can be empowering by allowing one to consciously choose to change them.

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93 views

Kahlers Process Scripts

Kahler's Process Scripts describes six "miniscripts" that shape people's thinking: After, Until, Always, Never, Almost I, and Almost II. These scripts are related to one's perception of time and tendency to focus on the past, present, or future. For example, "After" thinking considers what will happen after a negative event, like losing a job. "Until" thinking assumes the present will continue negatively until some future positive event. Recognizing these thinking patterns can be empowering by allowing one to consciously choose to change them.

Uploaded by

kawantumbuh Community
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Kahler's Process Scripts

changingminds.org/explanations/models/kahler_scripts.htm

Explanations > Models > Kahler's Process Scripts

After | Until | Always | Never | Almost I | Almost II | So what?

Taibi Kahler describes six 'miniscripts' that shape how we think. Noticeable about these
are the time-base aspect of them and are perhaps related to our perception of time and
the way in which we tend to focus on past, present or future.

After
In a general 'after' script, we think about what will we will do after a harmful negative
event that may happen in the future, such as 'after she leaves me' or 'after I lose'.

For example a person becomes convinced they will lose their job and thinks about what
life will be like being unemployed, on the streets and so on.

This can create a negative spiral where their belief in the negative event eventually
causes it to happen, for example where believe that you will lose your job results in
losing motivation and so being marked down and eventually sacked.

'After' thinking can also be a way of procrastination, for example when we think about
things we will do 'after' the weekend or Christmas.

Another way 'after' is used, is when we anticipate or hope for a good event, after which
we think we will be happy. For example 'after I find love' or 'after I get paid'. This
thinking can make a less than happy present more tolerable.

Until
The 'until' script also considers the future, but now thinks about the period up until a
specific event. In a dysfunctional sense, this assumes the negative present will
continue up until some transformational event after which things will get better. The
negative present and future may well extend indefinitely where the positive event is
distant or unlikely, such as retiring or winning the lottery.

People in this state may use the 'until' event as a form of forlorn hope. Whilst they know
that the event may not happen or after it happens things may not improve, they gain
some positive feelings from the hope that it just might happen.

Always
The 'always' script goes from the past right into the future, in an unvarying stream. It
assumes that things cannot be changed.

When we think 'always', we tell ourselves stories such as 'it always happens to me' and
'I always fail.'

'Always' thinking allows the person to sustain a comfortingly negative position of a


victim, where they are unable to do anything and so have no obligation to act.

Never

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The 'never' script is a reversal of the 'always' script, reaching unendingly through time,
but with the thought 'never' rather than 'always'. In such scripts, people think that good
things will never happen to them (in comparison with bad things 'always' happening).

'Never' thinking includes thoughts such as 'I never get a chance' and 'They'll never
notice me'.

In the same way as 'always' thinking, this allows a victim to stay where they are as
there seems to be no point in what seems like futile action.

Almost I
This script has the person nearly completing a task or achieving a goals but somehow
never reaching it. This may be because the comfort of the present patterns is more
desirable than the uncertainty of the future, even if it might seem to be positive.

In this way, people procrastinate and otherwise put off those last few steps that would
take them to a potentially better future. One reason they may not do this is because
they have a focus in the present, where today's reality, even if it is bad, is better than
tomorrow's possible worse state, even if it is likely to be much better.

You can also fall in love with the journey, gaining satisfaction of some kind from working
in the task and not wanting this to end. When the journey is completed, what will you
do? The fear of that vacuum, that change can be enough to keep people from taking
the final step.

Almost II
The second variant of the 'almost' script is where the person completes something but
fears that somehow it will all come undone and they will be thrown back into the
previous negative state.

For example if a person has successfully written a report or software program, rather
than enjoying the accolade and looking forward, they may fear somebody criticizing
what they have produced such that they will either have to do it again or will otherwise
lose out.

So what?
Whilst these patterns are taken from a therapeutic context and assume a negative
dysfunction, they can also be turned around to a positive purpose, for example where a
single positive example can break a 'never' or 'always' script or positive 'after' thinking
can be applied to the shorter term.

If these patterns seem familiar, then it does not necessarily mean something is terribly
wrong. Recognizing the pattern, however, can be very empowering, because when you
can see what you are doing, you can make a conscious choice to change.

See also
Kahler's Drivers, Games, Coping Mechanisms

Kahler, T. (2008). The Process Therapy Model: The Six Personality Types with
Adaptations, Taibi Kahler Associates, Inc.

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