The P3 Model™

Perception of Potential Pain

From Pain Avoidance to Purpose & Meaning

An original model by Kevin Brough, M.A., C.Ht.

VISIONLOGIC THERAPEUTIC TOOLS

Session Information

Your Name

Date

Your Email

Therapist Select your therapist... Kevin Brough, AMFT Michael Quinn Boyer, LMFT Tina Brough, LMFT Sarah Allred, LCMHC Matt Eschler, LMFT Lisa Jones, LMFT Chad Olson, LMFT Other Therapist

Other Therapist Email

Understanding the P3 Model

Most of our problematic behaviors—addiction, avoidance, procrastination, emotional reactivity, dissociation—are not primarily about seeking pleasure. They're about avoiding pain.

"We don't run toward pleasure as much as we run away from the perception of potential pain."

The P3 Model (Perception of Potential Pain) explains how our minds learn to anticipate pain based on past experiences—especially attachment injuries, trauma, and repeated hurt—and then develop automatic strategies to avoid that anticipated discomfort. The key word is perception: it's not actual danger, but the anticipation of pain that drives our behavior.

Three Movements

This work moves through three stages. You'll first see the pattern clearly, then shift the mind at its root, then turn toward what gives life meaning.

MOVEMENT 1

The Pattern

Avoid any Perceived Potential Pain — see the loop you're caught in.

MOVEMENT 2

The MindShift

A new mindset, at the root — awareness before the pattern forms.

MOVEMENT 3

The Higher Path

Toward purpose & meaning — freedom, growth, purpose, contribution.

1

The Pattern  ·  Avoid any Perceived Potential Pain

1. TRIGGER

Internal discomfort or anticipated pain

→

2. RESPONSE

Avoidance, distraction, or dissociation

3. RELIEF

Temporary escape from discomfort

→

4. COST

Pattern strengthens, life narrows

Relief is real — but temporary. Each turn of the loop strengthens the pattern and narrows your life.

The Three Responses — the shape avoidance takes:
Avoidance — We stay away from situations that might trigger pain
Distraction — We numb, escape, or redirect attention away from discomfort
Dissociation — We disconnect from our bodies, emotions, or present reality

2

The MindShift  ·  a new mindset, at the root

AWARENESS → MIND → THOUGHT → CONSCIOUSNESS → EXPERIENCE

In the Three Principles, Mind is the formless intelligence behind experience, Thought is the vehicle that forms it, and Consciousness makes it feel real. The MindShift reaches back to the root — awareness at the level of Mind, shifting its intent before Thought and Consciousness manifest the old pattern.

Frankl taught that our final freedom is to choose our response. Awareness is the space where that choice lives.

3

The Higher Path  ·  toward purpose & meaning

Frankl taught that our deepest drive is not the will to pleasure (Freud) or power (Adler), but the will to meaning. P3 frees us from running away; meaning gives us something to move toward.

A

Freedom

To respond, not react

B

Growth

Find meaning in our suffering

C

Purpose & Meaning

Move toward what calls you

D

Contribution

Serve a Higher Cause

This worksheet will help you identify specific patterns in your life where the perception of potential pain drives behavior that limits you. Awareness is the first step toward freedom.

Begin Pattern Exploration →

1

Identify

2

Explore

3

Origins

4

Costs

5

MindShift

6

Higher Path

Identify a Pain Avoidance Pattern

1

The Pattern  ·  Avoid any Perceived Potential Pain

Think of a behavior, habit, or pattern in your life that you suspect might be driven by the avoidance of pain or discomfort rather than the pursuit of genuine fulfillment.

Describe the pattern or behavior:

Which of the Three Responses is this primarily?

Avoidance

Staying away, not doing, hiding, withdrawing, procrastinating

~

Distraction

Numbing, escaping, binging, substances, screens, busyness

Dissociation

Checking out, spacing out, feeling unreal, emotional numbness

Common behaviors that often serve as pain avoidance:

Substance use (alcohol, drugs, nicotine)

Excessive screen time / social media

Overeating or restrictive eating

Overworking / chronic busyness

Procrastination / task avoidance

Social withdrawal / isolation

Excessive shopping / spending

Rumination / obsessive thinking

People-pleasing / fawning

Perfectionism / over-preparing

Gaming / gambling

Sexual compulsivity / pornography

Sleeping too much or too little

Anger / irritability as shield

Continue →

Explore the Underlying Pain

1

The Pattern  ·  what the loop is protecting you from

Now let's identify what pain or discomfort this behavior helps you avoid. Remember: it's not the actual pain that drives behavior, but the perception or anticipation of pain.

What situation, thought, or feeling typically triggers this behavior?

What type of pain or discomfort are you avoiding?

Loneliness or isolation

Rejection or abandonment

Failure or inadequacy

Shame or humiliation

Anxiety or uncertainty

Boredom or emptiness

Loss of control

Intimacy or vulnerability

Grief or sadness

Being truly seen

Physical discomfort

Understimulation (ADHD-related)

In your own words, what pain are you really trying to avoid?

How intense is this anticipated pain?

Mild discomfort Moderate Overwhelming

5/10

← Back Continue →

Trace the Origins

1

The Pattern  ·  where the loop was learned

Pain avoidance patterns don't develop randomly. They're often learned in childhood or develop in response to significant experiences. Understanding where a pattern came from can help loosen its grip.

Key Insight: Your nervous system learned to predict pain based on actual experiences. At some point, this response made sense—it was protective. The question is whether it still serves you now.

Where might this pattern have originated?

Attachment / early caregiving experiences

Specific traumatic event(s)

Family patterns / learned behavior

Repeated painful experiences over time

Significant loss or grief

Bullying, rejection, or social pain

Neglect or emotional unavailability

Neurological differences (ADHD, autism, sensitivity)

Can you identify a specific memory, time period, or relationship where this pattern may have started?

At the time, how did this pattern protect you or help you survive?

← Back Continue →

Awareness of Costs

1

The Pattern  ·  what the loop is costing you

Every pain avoidance strategy has a cost. While it provides temporary relief, it often narrows our lives and prevents us from experiencing what we truly want.

What relief or temporary benefit does this behavior provide?

What is this pattern costing you?

How has this pattern narrowed your life? What have you stopped doing or avoided because of it?

Neurological Levels: Where is this pattern rooted?

Pain avoidance patterns can operate at different levels. Deeper levels (beliefs, identity) create more persistent patterns.

Environment — I avoid certain places, situations, or people

Actions — I engage in specific behaviors to avoid pain

Skills — I lack the capability to handle the discomfort

Beliefs — I believe certain situations always lead to pain

Identity — "I am someone who always gets hurt / can't handle it"

Purpose — I've lost sight of what my life is for

← Back Continue →

The MindShift

2

a new mindset, at the root

The Liberating Truth

The pain you're avoiding isn't happening right now. It's a thought about potential pain, experienced as real through consciousness. The past is over—what remains is thinking about the past. When you see that your perception of potential pain is thought-created (not an objective reading of present reality), the compulsion to avoid begins to loosen.

AWARENESS → MIND → THOUGHT → CONSCIOUSNESS → EXPERIENCE

In the Three Principles, Mind is the formless intelligence behind experience, Thought is the vehicle that forms it, and Consciousness makes it feel real. Most change efforts work downstream, at behavior. The MindShift reaches back to the root — awareness at the level of Mind, shifting its intent before Thought and Consciousness manifest the old pattern.

Frankl taught that our final freedom is to choose our response. Awareness is the space where that choice lives — the pause between what happens and what you do next. Thoughts pass. You don't have to act on them.

What new understanding do you have about this pattern now?

Where, specifically, could you catch this pattern earlier — closer to the root?

What would you say to your younger self who first developed this pattern?

If you weren't avoiding this pain, what becomes possible in your life?

What small step could you take this week to begin relating differently to this pattern?

← Back Continue to The Higher Path →

The Higher Path

3

toward purpose & meaning

Healing the P3 pattern frees you from running away. But freedom alone is not the destination. Frankl taught that our deepest drive is not the will to pleasure (Freud) or power (Adler), but the will to meaning. The work now turns toward what you move toward.

A

Freedom

To respond, not react

B

Growth

Find meaning in our suffering

C

Purpose & Meaning

Move toward what calls you

D

Contribution

Serve a Higher Cause

A · Freedom What would responding — rather than reacting — actually look like for you?

B · Growth What meaning can you find in what you passed through?

C · Purpose & Meaning What calls you? What would you move toward if fear were no longer steering?

D · Contribution How could what you've learned serve others, or a cause larger than yourself?

Carry It Forward

What intention will you hold in your MindSight Journal practice to support this shift?

← Back Complete Exploration ✓

Pattern Exploration Complete

Remember

This pattern developed as a rational response to genuine pain. You're not broken—your nervous system learned to protect you. Now, with awareness, you can choose differently. The pain you've been running from is a thought—and thoughts pass. What remains is the life you move toward.

Continue the Work

Insight fades without practice. The MindShift is strengthened daily, not once.

Daily Practice

MindSight Journal

A daily contemplative practice for noticing thought at the root — the practical companion to the MindShift. Carry your intention forward, one day at a time.

Open MindSight Journal →

Coming Soon

Mastering Your Mind

The forthcoming book from IntelleWisdom — a deeper journey through the P3 Model, the MindShift, and the path from pain avoidance to purpose and contribution.

Learn More →

Save Exploration Print Email to Me Email to Therapist

Explore Another Pattern Start Over

Saved Explorations

No saved explorations yet.

×

Email Exploration

Your Email Address

Select Therapist Select your therapist... Kevin Brough, AMFT Michael Quinn Boyer, LMFT Tina Brough, LMFT Sarah Allred, LCMHC Matt Eschler, LMFT Lisa Jones, LMFT Chad Olson, LMFT

If your email app did not open, the summary has been copied. Paste it into a new email to the address shown above.

CC Your Email (Optional)

Cancel Send Email

The P3 Model™ (Perception of Potential Pain) is the original work of Kevin Brough, M.A., C.Ht., part of the VisionLogic Therapeutic Tools suite.

Integrating attachment theory, Viktor Frankl's logotherapy, the Three Principles, and Neurological Levels. A reflective framework — descriptive, not diagnostic.

© 2010-2026 Kevin Brough | VisionLogic, LLC | Ascend Counseling & Wellness

P3 Model v2.2 (2026-10-01)

Psychoeducation Handout

The P3 Model™ — One-Page Handout

The Pattern, the MindShift, and the Higher Path on one page — the companion sheet to this worksheet, for the wall, the screen, or the client's folder.

PDF · US Letter · free for clinical & educational use with attribution · See the full library →

Download PDF