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

Are REGRESSIVE and/or ABREACTIVE THERAPIES Sacred Cows?

I want to make it clear -- I honor and respect the fact that many "Regressionists" on hypnothoughts.com are quite effective in helping their clients. I am in no way, shape or form trying to discount their effectiveness. However, being effective does not validate one's opinions and beliefs and quite frankly, I am really getting tired of all the "regressionists" on HT.com who seem to believe their training is superior to everyone else's training and habitually confuse their beliefs and opinions with fact!



This discussion is not about the EFFECTIVENESS of Regressive and/or Abreactive hypnotic approaches. In my opinion, a masterful hypnosis practitioner should easily be able to make just about any technique effective. Like most of my generation, Hypno-Analysis was part of my training and I used it and can use it quite effectively. But again, this is not about effectiveness.



This discussion is about the underlying beliefs about Regressive and/or Abreactive hypnotic approaches



Some hypnosis practitioners believe that Regressive Therapies are different than other suggestive approaches used to hypnotically assist our clients and are always saying so.



I say that belief is a SACRED COW. In my opinion, "Regressive" therapies are powered by a combination of implied suggestions, direct suggestions, indirect suggestions and unintended suggestions just like every other hypnotic process! Let us not forget that our maps and models for hypnotic healing are not the territory and inform this discussion with the awareness that the "Mind" and "Subconscious Mind" are metaphors!



The world has changed dramatically in the last 50 years and the regressionists seem unaware that all of the regressive-abreactive approaches to healing are based on Freud's theories and psychotherapeutic practices. Most licensed health care professionals stopped using Regressive and Abreactive therapies 20 years ago... Modern day Cognitive and Behavioral Therapists focus on developing their patient's coping skills and abilities and changing their beliefs. In my opinion, if Elman were alive today and teaching he would be teaching a CBT-based model of hypno-healing. After all, he modeled his therapeutic approaches around the prevailing therapeutic model of his era.

I am just posting my opinion and I hope that my post generates a friendly discussion that we can all learn from.

I will rejoin this discussion when I return from teaching in South Africa



Respectfully,



Michael E.