=^..^= Are REGRESSIVE and/or ABREACTIVE THERAPIES Sacred Cows? =^..^=

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kent Fullarton on October 10, 2009 at 9:44am

I think you are right. My approach is to start with the gentlest approach. Emotion and habit replacement without any confrontation of feelings. I prefer the "no drama" approach. Many of the people who use the ab-reactive therapy chose it because they can fit it to most clients without having to learn alternatives. They chose it because of the hypnotist and not for the client.

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Permalink Reply by Art Long CHt. Traditional Doctor on October 10, 2009 at 9:55am

Hi michael looking forward to meeting up with you in Johburg, Tom Budhe has my number and I live and work close to him. I have many things I would like to run past yoiu and look forward to meeting...Regards
Art Long art@hypnotherapysa.co.za +27833840907
I also belive in therapy for therapies sake, no abreactions not much regression, just plain relaxation, association of relaxed feelings with words ands reinforcing ones belief in themselves...works like a bomb every time.
Meet up when you are in Johburg Michael, looking forward Best Regards Art Long

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on October 10, 2009 at 10:39am

Hi Art,

I am not sure my cell will work in Africa but it might -- 646-306-4546
If you don't hear from me -- please contact me care of Claudia Klein --

27-21 557 8447
27-82 6767919

See you in JoBurg

Art Long CHt. Traditional Doctor said:

Hi michael looking forward to meeting up with you in Johburg, Tom Budhe has my number and I live and work close to him. I have many things I would like to run past yoiu and look forward to meeting...Regards
Art Long art@hypnotherapysa.co.za +27833840907 I also belive in therapy for therapies sake, no abreactions not much regression, just plain relaxation, association of relaxed feelings with words ands reinforcing ones belief in themselves...works like a bomb every time. Meet up when you are in Johburg Michael, looking forward Best Regards Art Long

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Permalink Reply by Melissa J. Roth on October 10, 2009 at 11:56am

Personally, I have not found regression and abreaction to be any more effective than non-abreactive techniques. And, it is more hurtful and demoralizing to the client. Why put the client through that when you can achieve the same therapeutic goals without it? It has never made sense to me. Also, just to add my 2 cents, I think as therapists we get way too voyeuristic. We don't have to know "the story" (content) to help someone change to a more comfortable and resourceful state. Maybe I'm not the brightest bulb in the box but if I listen to the client's story I sometimes get lost and lose sight of what needs to be done.

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Permalink Reply by David Parke on October 11, 2009 at 4:59am

Michael,

I like using regression. I don't go looking for abreaction but it comes up quite often. I don't pretend to know whether the memories in age regression or PLR are true or confabulation and I don't particularly care. It's not the abreaction that I think is the main goal in regression work although it can be a catalyst for change. I think that giving the person perspective on their regression and possibly a vicarious experience goes a long way for creating lasting change. I think when a person can re-experience their ISE it can help them develop new ideas about themselves and help create new maps. I don't want to say too much because I just typed a paper on this subject for the next Journal of Experiential Trance and don't want to retype it here. Even though I enjoy regression work I by no means believe it is superior to any other form of trance work. In fact, I believe that regression work is only half the solution if other methods (parts, suggestion, etc) aren't included. It's just one more tool in the box.

Cheers
Dave

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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on October 11, 2009 at 5:16am

I agree with you Michael,

It is not a question of whether or not
a regression technique will work,
and or be effective as a healing tool,
it is the question of just how and why it is working,
that most people seem to miss.

Those with an understanding of the dynamics of hypnosis, and therapy
(as opposed to a training in hypnosis).
will see that it works by metaphor,
and either direct or indirect suggestion
that using this technique will resolve the issue,

It works much better if the therapist believes that too,
and therefore acts congruently,
and so trainers train their classes to believe this story,
that regression to cause is the way, the truth and the light.

I have not actively used regression for many years now,

But would happilly do so,
if it seemed appropriate for the client.

LOve and hugs,


Fable

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Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on October 11, 2009 at 5:32am

This Sacred Cow, or Dogma as it were, is specific to certain schools of training.

I have heard the concept that is taught to some people is that abreactions are "necessary" to effect positive change, and that they view any other regression technique that does not involve abreaction as simply "repressing" the associated emotions.

I, of course, disagree from aspect of the training and experiences I have had. I view emotional responses as learned reactions. The ISE of an issue is simply when the emotional response was learned. If you regress to the ISE and change the event to one with a more positive outcome (realizing of course that the past is not really changed, and while in trance, the "critical factor" that tells us what is real and true is not present so it makes no difference) the original learning is modified or even completely dissolved, meaning the corresponding emotional reaction (or the result of the learning) is also.

This does not change the past, but rather, just changes how we feel about it and react to it.

Just my two cents
John

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Permalink Reply by bruce on October 11, 2009 at 7:10am

I don't think that you can seprate effectiveness from this discussion. My experience is that regression work can often-times be dramatically effective - moreso than other techniques.

The reason for this, I believe, is that a person gains a special kind of rapport, or intimate empathy with themselves, especially when you combine regression with inner-child work.

However, I think Fable's point is well made: creating that kind of empathy could possibly be done some other way - I don't necessarily believe that it's ' regression ' or revivification of past events that's doing the healing. It's the self-relationship.

So far, regression is the best way I've found to create that state. Cal Banyan believes the self empathy creates a state of plasticity in the mind... I'd agree with that. When sombody is in self-empathy, they can really dump old baggage. And with that dumping comes renewal.

I also have to agree that techniques that are informed by CBT certainly have their place. Regression is a great way to dump stuff, but clearly there's a need for more constructive techniques. In other words, what do you do once you've dumped stuff?!

Still, I'll put in my 2cents for regression. In my view, it's the most powerful thing we have so far.

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Permalink Reply by GIL BOYNE on October 11, 2009 at 7:43am

Michael said---Most licensed health care professionals stopped using Regressive and Abreactive therapies 20 years ago.
..
My reply----What are your sources for this overly broad statement?

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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on October 11, 2009 at 8:59am

Gil,

You should know by now, that if you ask Michael tyo furnishevidence to back up his opinions, he can do it by the shedload... is that what you really want?


Love and hugs,

Fable

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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on October 11, 2009 at 12:20pm

Sheila M. Street, CH CI T.NLP said:

I have to disagree strongly with Michaels "suggestion" that these "therapies are powered by a combination of implied suggestions, direct suggestions, indirect suggestions and unintended suggestions just like every other hypnotic process!" Regression therapy is investigative - and anyone properly trained in regression techniques knows that it is improper to "suggest", directly or implied, anything to the client about what they are viewing or experiencing. It is properly left for the "adult" part of the client to make their own assumptions as to the best course of learning to be achieved from any material gleaned in the regression process./div>

Hello Sheila,

I pretty much agree with most of what you say.

But I think you may have misinterpreted michaels meaning.

I did not imagine that he meant that a regression therapist would use suggestion to the client about what they are viewing or experiencing.

I was assuming that what he meant was that the whole process works on the client accepting the direct or indirect suggestion (from the therapist, or perhaps elsehwere) that this is what will work.


Like you, I see regression is another potential tool that can be used to help, but that does not preclude it being also a sacred cow, in the way that many hypnotists have been indoctrinated to see it as the be all and end all of therapy.

Love and hugs,


Fable

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Permalink Reply by Joe K Fobes on October 11, 2009 at 10:26pm

I find regression useful because it allows the client to accept the suggestion that there is a "core" to the issue and that we have solved that core and therefore have solved the whole issue.

Of course we create new associations and break old associations along the way.

Whether this is true or not is rather irrelevant.

Michael, I'm rather surprised that you wouldn't accept this. After all you often preach the importance if doing the "ritual" so that the client can accept that and heal.

Age regression is one heck of a convincing ritual.

Joe

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