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A hypnotherapist's thoughts on past life regression
Since qualifying in Clinical Hypnotherapy I’ve found the topic of Past
Life Regression (PLR) generally gets mixed reviews within the
hypnotherapy profession. Most often or not Hypnotherapy schools teach
Past Life regression as a single unit within a framework of many other
topics, if at all.
When during my diploma I came across the past life regression module it
was taught as a therapy where the unconscious mind of the client may
role play the presenting problem in a disassociate manner thereby
allowing the client to work through the presenting problem but without
having to relive that problem. Rather than the common approach to what
has often been referred to as Tourist Past Life, where you guide the
client back to a possible past life purely on the basis of the clients
interest. I’ve lost count to the number of times I’ve heard “I want to
see who I was in a past life”.
Intrigued in this therapeutic approach to past life regression, I
continued my training in the area and have used this knowledge many
times in my therapy practice.
For those who may be sceptical of the possible benefits of PLR, I wanted
to write an article giving a case example of where I’ve used this
therapy to a positive effect.
Gary (name changed to protect confidentiality) contacted me in the
Summer of 2007 by phone asking me if I could help with his addiction
problem. I naturally asked the manner of the addiction explaining if it
was drug or alcohol addiction he must first see his GP and go through an
appropriate withdrawal programme. He assured me it wasn’t either drug or
alcohol but would prefer to talk to me about this privately face to face
rather than over the phone. I agreed and a date as set.
When Gary turned up for his session a detailed case history was taken
which revealed that Gary was 47 years old, was employed by a local
haulage firm for many years where he drives lorries over the UK and
Europe, often meaning he can spend many days away from home at a time.
He has currently been married for over twenty years and has 2 children.
Apart from smoking heavily and prone to chest infections, Gary had no
other medical conditions.
Once the basics of the case history had been taken, I noticed Gary
taking a deep breath in and on the out breathe almost as a sigh, Gary
started to explain that his addiction centred upon the use of
Prostitutes. Gary explained that his job meant that he would often think
about his past especially when travelling away from home for many
nights. This would often result in himself seeking out the services of
Prostitutes.
Questioning further it was found that Gary wasn’t seeking prostitutes
for pleasure or company but rather as punishment. Gary as a young boy of
7 years had been sexually abused for a number of years by a close family
member.
Gary talked about how this made him
feel and how his addiction which he had had got worse as the years
passed. Throughout this period Gary could be seen to be getting more
upset and angry, with himself, his life, the abusive family member and
his current family.
After discussing a number of treatment plans, Gary opted for Past Life
Regression because of the ability to explore and work through his
problem by role playing as an alternative character.
A simple hypnotic induction and past life entry specifically to address
the issue of concern was conducted before the past life scene was
explored. In this past life scene Gary was a man of African descent
living in the US Deep South during the 1870’s. He lived with his family
in a small shack on land owned by a wealthy white family that he and his
wife worked for.
As the scene was explored further it was discovered that this character
and his family were often badly treated which led to feelings of
resentment, helplessness and anger towards the family that had treated
them in this manner.
Each scene going through the life of the character was explored and each
time an issue relating to the treatment of the character or its family
was uncovered various healing techniques were used to dissipate the
emotion anchored to that incident.
This proceeded for about 75 minutes before finally taking the character
up to the moment before dying and then through the dying process to
finally purge all remaining negative emotions relating to this
character.
Gary was slowly emerged back into the current life and current time
before briefly discussing the events that had occurred during the
session.
I recommend Gary returned next week for a further session to address any
further issues that might arise during the following week.
The following week when Gary returned for his second session, Gary
talked of how beneficial he had found the experience and how for the
first time he felt that he was able to leave the past in the past.
The feelings of guilt and anger that had been with him since his
childhood had dissipated and Gary was looking forward to his future.
A surprise secondary benefit to this therapy was discovered when Gary
informed me that the relief and release he had felt from working through
the abuse. From that point on he has not had any inclinations or urges
to smoke, and regarded himself now as a non-smoker.
Author's
details:
Chris Connelly DCH DHP GHR Reg MATH
www.northstar-therapy.com
Copyright © Chris Connelly 2010