On the Case: 7 Demon Spotting FAQs Answered

About the Author

Do you go by Cheryl, or do you prefer to be called Gwyneth?

Just getting started? Here are 7 questions specifically related to Demon Spotting that are good for you to know.

1. Why is it called Demon Spotting?

Because the goal is to spot the pattern in behavior that disrupts you. Disrupting, like getting your feathers ruffled. Or dropping into road rage because someone cut you off in traffic.

Every uncomfortable conversation has a “position” and sometimes an “attack” running underneath it. Name what’s happening to pause the action (your reaction). In the game of Demon Spotting, putting a name to the pattern (spotting the move) is my version of behavior modification.

Name the pattern. Spot the move. Analysis creates clarity.

The person in the conflict with you isn’t a demon. You’re playing the game well when you notice a demon is whispering in your ear. It’s the sneaky trick… the pattern of thought or behavior working through the moment, on either side of the conversation. That includes you and what your words bring to the table.

2. Where do I find a complete list of the DramaGuru Code Words?

The DramaGuru Revelation series uses 16 code words designed to identify positions and attacks for what I call verbal jiu-jitsu. The code words represent patterns of behavior. Some patterns are familiar to you. Some are hidden in your blind spot. The code words are the “cheat code” or a hack to help you break through resistance or clouded thinking. Identifying aggressive (or passive) behavior might feel upsetting. This is part of the journey. Use the code words to focus on the facts of your case before making any adjustments or big moves.

• Find one word definitions here: Clarity and Silence: 16 DramaGuru Code Words
• Longer definitions appear here: Demon Spotting Vocabulary for DramaGuru Academy Students

3. Do I need to be religious to play this Demon Spotting game?

No. Demon Spotting works as pure pattern-recognition. Spot the code words in a conversation either in the moment, or later when you’re analyzing what’s happened. Name what’s happening. Use that clarity to respond instead of reacting. Developing the ability to hold yourself back from going-off on someone works for anyone — believer or non-believer.

For believers (or anyone else who is interested), if you want the deeper layers, Holy Spirit is here to play this game with you. He is present in the analysis of the case studies. His guidance points you in the right direction. But only if you’re willing to listen to his whispers, acknowledge his nudges, and open the door when he knocks.

4. Can I use these words on myself, or only on other people?

Demon Spotting is designed to work both ways: on you and on other people. Noticing what other people are doing is automatic for most of us. But to benefit from spending time playing this game, focus your analysis on yourself. This is where the real work happens.

It’s easy to clock someone else’s Skunk move. It’s harder (and more useful) to notice when you’re the one being the Skunk in a conversation with your co-worker. The code words are neutral. They reflect patterns of behavior only.

This isn’t a new problem. God himself dealt with it in the Old Testament. Herding cats. He gave commands, sent prophets, kept protesting the same disobedience again and again. But free will meant he never overrode anyone’s choice to force compliance with his will. Even God worked through invitation, not control.

Here’s a nice benefit: Modeling positive or neutral reactions and responses creates shifts and changes (in other people). That doesn’t happen when you’re pushing someone else to change. Be responsible for you. Learn how the code words work by getting experience with applying them. Then, change your own behavior first.

Wait! This sounds like behavior modification. Is this therapy?

5. How does Demon Spotting compare to behavior modification?

Everyone knows that behavior changes (modifies) when you are rewarded or punished for your efforts. You recognize the change when you have an experience of “body-memory-reflex,” you do something without having to think about it.

Basically, you work to interrupt a bad habit or pattern and introduce a better one.

Repetition is key for success with Demon Spotting too.

What’s different? The absence of a therapist to provide the rewards or reminders to practice and stick with it. Demon Spotters work independently. Their self-motivation to do the work strengthens their pattern recognition reflexes. Practice makes perfect.

A Demon Spotting analysis starts with isolating a pattern. Then, you review the pattern from all sides.

Stepping into a detective role, you examine all of the clues before writing up your case study. Code words. Patterns. Pivots. Transitions. Conclusions.

Once you have your data, create your version of a case analysis. Your research should be written in order with clarity. If you’ve done your homework well, a person reading it will learn from your experience. They can pick up where you left off and take their newly found knowledge out into the world. One person teaches another.

With experience, you refine your knowledge of what works and what doesn’t.

Heart healing happens along the way. That’s the goal of the game.

But remember that bumps and bruises come with the territory. Demon Spotting is not a wimpy game.

Conduct case studies regularly, and you’ll soon start noticing and naming the patterns in real time. As the words come out of their mouth, you’ll think, “Ha! Eddie to the Grandiose”.

To learn what that means, play this game called Demon Spotting!

6. Isn’t this game just behavior modification with a cool name?

Yes and no. There’s a definite overlap. But Demon Spotting goes deeper than plain behavior modification.

And, to be honest, I think calling it Demon Spotting (sleuthing) is more engaging (hip) than calling it behavior modification (ordinary, routine). With the name change, I’ve turned slowly-evolving clinical work into an exciting, risk-taking game.

“Behavior modification” sounds like homework assigned by your therapist. On the other hand, “Demon Spotting” sounds like a bold action you take. Instead of sitting politely in front of your therapist, you’re playing detective… which ranks really high on the “That’s cool” chart, in my opinion.

Whether you’re in a coffee shop or observing at a family gathering, you’re recognizing patterns. The skills are the same: spot the pattern, name it, and calibrate your response. You know something they don’t know.

That’s on purpose. Since they’re not playing the game and you are.

And guess what? If naming your own patterns feels like a game instead of a diagnosis, you’re more likely to actually play it, develop skill, and change your point of view on how you operate in relationships.

7. Can I play Demon Spotting and skip going to therapy?

Short answer: No. Your therapist is your accountability partner.

I’m not a therapist. I’m just a person who created a game to help me sort out life’s challenges. Continue with medical professional support, or get yourself in front of someone who is licensed when you need more help than this game can give you.

Demon Spotting is a pattern-recognition game with emotional healing as its objective. It’s definitely not a replacement for a therapy session or a treatment plan. Although, I will say that when I walk into a therapy session armed with something concrete — like the answers I get from playing this game — the conversation moves differently. There’s progress! Instead of me swirling around trying to name vague feelings (waste of time).

Name that pattern, and then, if you have a therapist, talk to them about what to do next.