A module would have an overall coherent theme; a simple, general target subject. It would contain a systematic breakdown of the subject into its component parts, or a systematic examination of the subject from different angles. The module would also include models and principles that apply to the subject at hand. And there would be suggested techniques and procedures that could be used to examine and improve the subject.
A module would be a general area of life that is being explored systematically. That is seen in contrast to working with specific issues that the client brings up. If the client has a specific problem we work with that with whatever techniques we have that will work on it. And we work on it until it is resolved satisfactorily.
In modular processing we start more from scratch. The client doesn't have any particular pressing issue on her mind. If she did, we would work on that instead. We only start modular processing when any pressing problems and complaints are out of the way.
Modular processing is done to help the client expand in ways she didn't know about before. We pick a general area, that is either an area that the client would like to improve in, or it is an area she would like to explore as something totally new.
A module could have a title like "Communication", "Creativity", or "Business". These are broad general areas, and that is what they should be. If the client had a very specific, upsetting communication problem, occurring in specific situations with specific people, then we would not start a Communication module. We would address the specific situation with techniques directly intended to resolve just that.
If the client just generally wants to be more creative, then we might think of doing a Creativity module. During the course of working through the creativity module we would cover many different angles on the subject and generally advance the person's ability in the area.
The subject of the module has to be something the client is really interested in. It must be something she can sustain her interest in over the course of maybe 10-15 sessions or more. So, it should not be a spur of the moment thing that she changes her mind about next week.
Modules would be like courses in an educational curriculum. Some might be considered more advanced than others, or might build on skills acquired in another module. Nevertheless we will attempt to make each module complete in itself. We build a certain flexibility into the module so that it can be done at various levels of sophistication.
The client will usually naturally pick a module that fits her level of development and her current interests. Or rather, the facilitator and client will together engage in a dialogue to establish what module would be most appropriate at that point for the client.
There is no fixed sequence of modules. Each module will internally be structured so that the client will advance from where she is in the direction she wants to go. And there are certain angles we will just automatically build into each module. Like, the client might not ask for having her fixed ideas handled, but we will nevertheless address fixed ideas as part of any module.