Psychologist Marisa Franco has introduced a method for increasing self-esteem through the practice of memory reconsolidation, which involves mentally revisiting and updating difficult past experiences. The approach, detailed in Franco’s book "Worth: The New Science of Self-Esteem and Secure Attachment," encourages individuals to provide themselves with the reassurance they lacked during troubling events.
The method is based on memory reconsolidation theory, drawing from the work of behavioral neuroscientist Karim Nader. According to Franco, memories function not only as records of the past but also as predictors for future behavior. The exercise aims to achieve catharsis by allowing emotions to move through the individual rather than continuing to shape their current sense of identity.
During the exercise, individuals imagine their adult selves intervening in a specific memory to offer support to their younger selves. Franco cites research by psychologist Soljana Çili, noting that this practice can lead to higher self-esteem and fewer symptoms of trauma. Neurologically, the process is associated with changes in the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory storage.
While the source does not provide a specific number of people currently utilizing this technique, it presents the exercise as a skill that can be learned. A person practicing this would notice a shift in how they process daily events; for example, Franco reports that successful reconsolidation helped her feel more valued and less afraid when facing situations that previously triggered feelings of shame or embarrassment.
The long-term effects of this practice involve potential changes to a person's attachment style—how they relate to intimacy and others. The book, published in September, suggests that these techniques can be practiced independently or with a therapist. Because the method relies on internal visualization, it serves as a mental health tool, though the source does not report a specific timeline for how long it takes to see results. Follow-up steps for interested readers include using a provided worksheet to guide the memory update process.