Self-rotating wave approximation via symmetric ordering of ladder operators

We show how some Hamiltonians may be approximated using rotating wave approximation methods. In order to achieve this we use the algebra of boson ladder operators, and transformation formulas between normal and symmetric ordering of the operators. The method presented is studied in two special cases; the Morse and the Mathiue models. The connection with regular perturbation theory is given and the validity of the approximation is discussed.