The theory of cause and effect contends that if there is an effect, there must be an originating cause. This is the basis of the philosophy of all analytical hypnotherapy which explores the client’s reactions, conflicts and dilemmas from the standpoint of the cause rather than merely the effect. By this means the client can deal with psychological distress by resolving the underlying cause rather than only attempting to treat, cope with or manage symptoms. Symptom management and coping strategies can only, at best, be a temporary solution and may even actually give the client the false impression that he/she is beyond help because the treatment didn’t work.
The effect
Focusing on your troubles and symptomatic effects will, consequently, not be the answer to your dilemma. If you are asked about your psychological hang-ups by a practitioner in too much detail you are only examining the effect and not the cause.
The CBT practitioner, for instance, will often ask the client about how frequently or how intensely reactions occur and about the effect of such experiences. Questions, such as “Which day of the week or what time of day do your troubles manifest?”, “What is your emotional or physical reaction?” or “Why are you attracted to your fear-trigger and can you avoid it?”, do not in any way help the client. The client is usually patently aware of how he/she reacts to circumstances, how unpredictable such reactions can be and the unpleasant effects of psychological malaise. The client does not need to be made more of aware of what he/she already knows and no advantage can be gained from probing this arena.
Similarly telling you to relax when you feel afraid, to take time out when you feel angry or to cheer yourself up somehow when you feel despondent is certainly not going to cut the mustard.
The cause
The analytical hypnotherapy practitioner will be more inclined to invite the client to examine the underlying root cause of his/her malaise with a view to resolving matters fully.
Let’s take an example
A client sought therapy because he was suffering from debilitating panic attacks when summoned to his manager’s office for an appraisal or discussion of his progress at work. The client reported that his mouth would go dry, he would tremble and become tongue-tied. The client expected that his therapy would need to discuss these reactions in detail but instead the practitioner began to question him about his relationship with his father and his elder brother particularly during childhood and formative years.
The client reported that his father had been over-strict and domineering and that his much-older brother had been a bully who belittled him and seriously undermined his self-confidence. Further investigation resulted in the client’s having a long hard look at those many occasions – some of which had been partially forgotten – when he was unjustly punished by his father and made to feel guilty about everything he did. This situation had an inhibiting effect of the client and his feelings of guilt were reinforced by the unkindness of his vicious elder brother.
The client discussed and worked through these childhood issues in some depth and so was able to meet his manager as an equal in future free from fears and uncertainty.
Self-help
Prior to consulting an analytical hypnotherapy practitioner you can prepare yourself by endeavouring to identify whether your suffering is based on fear, guilt, anger or sadness.
Fear-oriented and guilt-based reactions often result in phobias, panic attacks, a lack of self-confidence and/or continual self-blame.
Anger-oriented symptoms can often manifest as temper tantrums, a bitchy nature, a short fuse and/or uncontrollable violence towards others.
Sadness-oriented distress can often be experienced as long-term depression, despondency, prolonged grief and/or a lack of motivation.
Can you, therefore, identify which of the above categories your psychological pain and suffering which is hampering your life might fall? Now you will be well equipped to turn to an analytical practitioner for the most effective form of psychotherapeutic help available for a whole range of psychological issues which beset the majority of the populace.
Help from a JMHT practitioner
If you wish to overcome your psychological suffering in whatever form, then please visit the “Find a Practitioner” page on the JMHT website (www.jmhypnotraining.co.uk).
Jacquelyne Morison
Jacquelyne Morison Hypnotherapy Training