HYPNOSIS: HYPNOTHERAPY

SESSION

Parco, Leighla E.

BSP-2G
 HYPNOSIS: Hypnotherapy Session

Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of mind in which we experience deep or light relaxation
together with a state of heightened awareness and suggestibility. While in this state, positive
ideas, values, and images may be impressed upon the subconscious to elicit beneficial changes in
behavior and thinking pattern. Change is often difficult to achieve while working on it only on a
conscious level (i.e., using will power or positive affirmations), because most habits, beliefs, and
attitudes that are maintained and stored in the subconscious mind, still remain unchanged and
very powerful. Thus, there is still a discrepancy between the information held in the
subconscious and conscious mind. That is why people frequently experience setbacks and
frustrations when trying to change, despite great effort. Hypnosis addresses this issue by
allowing direct access into the subconscious and instructing the subconscious mind about the
changes you would like to make in your body, mind and behavior. 

In my clinical practice I often use hypnosis to help access my client's subconscious in order to
facilitate a quick and effective change in behavior, thought pattern, and emotional state. To
dispel any misconceptions about hypnosis and to demonstrate how it works, I would like to share
with you the following case example. 

Case of a stay-at-home mom

A 32-year-old married stay-at-home mother with two young children, came to me complaining
of constantly feeling anxious and stressed out, increased irritability, having difficulty coping with
the demands of child rearing, all of which were affecting her marriage. She expressed great
hopes for hypnosis to help improve her emotional state and develop a positive attitude about life.
After we explored her issues in more depth, I explained to my client proven benefits and
common misconceptions about hypnosis. I emphasized that contrary to common fears, in
hypnosis one is in control and capable of making decisions at all times. One will not follow a
suggestion that goes against one's moral standards. Moreover, one cannot be hypnotized against
one's will, and most people can be hypnotized as long as they want to be. Considering that all
hypnosis is self-hypnosis, a client's motivation and desire to be helped are critical to the success
of the treatment process. A therapist's role is to guide one through this comfortable, inspiring and
empowering experience. 

Following our discussion, I conducted a few tests to determine my client's level of suggestibility
to my instructions. She was pleasantly surprised to find out that she demonstrated high level of
suggestibility. However, this is not unusual because of established trust between us and her
strong motivation to improve her condition. I then asked the client to find a comfortable position
in a recliner and began the process of induction, which fosters both physical and mental
relaxation and at the same time elicits a heightened state of awareness.

Once I established that the client had reached a hypnotic state, I began Parts Therapy, which in
my opinion, is one of the most effective hypnotherapy techniques designed to deal with
unwanted behaviors, thought patterns, and emotional problems. Parts Therapy is based on the
idea that we are all made up of many sub-personalities or "parts." For example, there is a happy
fun loving part, a sad part, a thoughtful part, a shy part, and many other parts. Frequently the
cause of the problem or symptom presented by the client lies in the earlier trauma experienced by
that individual. And because the subconscious mind is protective, it sets up parts to deal with the
trauma or special needs the individual may require. By discovering and contacting the part that is
causing the unwanted behavior and regressing to the original traumatic event, the root of the
problem is uncovered and neutralized. It is worth mentioning that there are no "bad" parts despite
the role that they play, because the intention of each part is to protect the individual. 

In case of my client, I addressed the part of her subconscious which was causing her to feel
anxious and stressed out. During the regression, she recalled a number of events that were related
to her current symptoms. But the earliest one, which would be considered the event that had
caused her problem, was when she was about 4 years old, left alone in the house, feeling scared
and lonely. Following the regression, I conducted the "inner child work" to facilitate forgiveness
and emotional clearing. 
Finally, the part that was causing my client to feel anxious and stressed out was retrained to
perform new positive behaviors and undertake new positive roles. These included making this
part of the client's subconscious responsible for the client:

• To feel calm and relaxed 

• To instantly achieve the state of calm and relaxation when taking 2 deep breaths 
• To deal with problems in a positive and constructive way 
• To feel happy and optimistic about life

Once we completed Parts Therapy, I taught my client self-hypnosis, which with practice would
allow her to achieve a relaxed state on her own in the comfort of her own home. At this point, I
brought the client out of hypnosis, and we discussed her impressions about the process. She was
surprised that she was hypnotized because she heard and was aware of everything going on with
her while being comfortable and relaxed. This is a common reaction because people often expect
to be asleep. Moreover, my client shared that she did not remember being left alone as a child
prior to this session. This is because frequently traumatic events are not recallable by the
conscious mind. I gave my client a recording of this session and instructed her to listen to it at
least once a day. Listening to the recordings is strongly recommended for reinforcement
purposes. Parts Therapy is done only during the initial session. For each additional problem it
needs to be repeated. The following sessions are intended to reinforce recently learned
information and might include various hypnotherapy styles, such as Suggestive, Neuro-
Linguistic Programming (NLP) and/or Ericksonian Hypnotherapy. When we met a week later
my client reported noticeable improvement in her condition, and three sessions later all her
symptoms were completely gone. 

I hope that the above described case has illustrated how effective hypnotherapy can be given the
proper use of hypnotherapy methods and the client's cooperation and motivation for change. If
you find that you are struggling with similar problems or maybe even something entirely
different, don't hesitate and give hypnosis a chance to help you achieve a better and more
satisfying life.
 Case Study: "Doris Kalasky"

Forced to have sex with her father, Doris became pregnant. When the pregnancy was
discovered, she refused to have an abortion. Her father, however, found an abortionist who
would perform the abortion without her consent. She alone has had to pay the price.

I am a victim of incest; one of the "hard cases" for abortion. I was raped by my father when I was
fifteen years old. It was not the first time, nor would it be the last. However, this time, I became
pregnant.

One night, I became very sick and my parents took me to the hospital. (I believe now that they
knew I was pregnant since they took me to a different hospital than normal.) The emergency
room doctor discovered that, along with a very bad case of the flu, I was 19 weeks pregnant.

My father flew into a rage, accusing me of all sorts of things, and demanding I have an abortion.
The doctor informed me that I was pregnant and asked me what I wanted. I had seen the "Silent
Scream" in high school religion class and knew that abortion was murder. In spite of the pain and
guilt I felt, knowing who the father of the baby was, it was far better to have a baby than the
alternative - to kill it. I refused to have an abortion.

My father flew into an uncontrollable rage and demanded that I consent to the abortion, or that
the doctor do it with or without my permission. The doctor refused because of my wishes. My
father demanded that an abortionist be found - regardless of the cost.

Within one hour, this man arrived at the hospital, talked with my parents and decided to do the
abortion, without speaking to me. I refused and tried to get off the examining table. He then
asked three nurses to hold me while he strapped me to the bed and injected me with a muscle
relaxant to keep me from struggling while he prepared to kill my baby. I continued to scream that
I didn't want an abortion. He told me, "Shut up and quit that yelling!" Eventually, I was placed
under general anesthesia and my child was brutally killed.

I was told that an abortion would solve my problem, when it was never really the problem in the
first place.

I was told, "Your parents know what's best," when they obviously were only concerned about
their own reputations.

I was told, "You make the right decision," when I was never given a choice. More importantly,
where was my baby's choice?

I grieve every day for my daughter. I have struggled to forget the abuse and the abortion. I can
do neither. All I think of is, "I should have done more, fought more, struggled more for the life of
my child."

My situation may not be common, but I know it's not unique either. The emotions and problems
I've had to deal with as a result of my abortion are common. The trauma of the rape and abuse
were only intensified by the abortion. The guilt of knowing my baby is dead is something I will
have to live with for the rest of my life.

I was violated and betrayed over and over by my father, who God created to love and protect me.
I was humiliated, hurt, and yes, violated again by the abortionist.

Why do even pro-lifers talk about making exceptions for abortion in cases of rape and incest as if
that is a way to have "compassion" for the mother? Why is this the only "loving" response to the
situation? I have talked with pro-lifers who consider my abortion acceptable, under the
circumstances. I want to tell people, "If you really want to be compassionate, give this mother
the opportunity to choose life for her child. If you really love the mothers who have been
victimized, don't let them be exploited again by someone who will make a profit from their dead
child -- a memory that will haunt them for the rest of their lives."

The next time you hear of the "hard cases," please remind people that every crisis pregnancy is
difficult for the mother. If you believe these cases are hard, you're correct -- they are extremely
hard for the mother. But if you choose abortion, it's an impossiblesituation for the baby. The
mom needs love, support and understanding, not the pain of allowing herself to be violated again
in order to kill her child. Regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the pain involved, that
helpless, innocent child has no voice, no defense, and no chance, unless we offer real love and
real compassion to the mother.

My abortion was over five years ago. God is still healing me, but it has been a difficult fight. I
hesitated to write to you because, although I'm actively pro-life, very few people know my story.
It's still very difficult to share with people, however, I wanted to encourage you in your
uncompromising stand for life.

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3) God bless you.