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Del Morrill, M.S. C.C.H

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A Center for Counseling & Hypnosis
Tacoma, Washington, USA
(253) 752-1506

Three Questions About Past Childhood Abuse

Question

1.  Would it be of benefit to me to be hypnotized to go back to my childhood when I was sexually abused? I feel a lot of anger and depression and I don't know where it is all coming from. I don't remember a lot of what happened in my childhood but I do want to get to the bottom of what is going on with me. I don't know if I can even give up control to actually be hypnotized.

2. I was abused as a child both physically and emotionally by my mother. A few years ago I started having anxiety attacks. My doctor put me on medications for that and for sleep. I am so tired of taking medication and feeling this way. I am at my wits end.

3. I tried to contact a hypnotist to put me under to recover more memories and vivid details about molestation from when I was younger. He said that he wouldn't perform that for me, saying it was too risky. What can I do? Any suggestions?

Answer
Hypnotherapy, when properly used by someone trained in handling past abuse, can be extremely effective in releasing whatever is causing the ongoing emotional responses that are a result of that abuse. Not all hypnotherapists are trained to handle this issue. If a hypnotherapist said no, probably it's because he isn't trained in going to the source of problems and releasing them. Who you need is a hypnotherapist who is also a counselor. As to having such an issue handled by hypnosis, if you feel that it may lie at the heart of you feeling bad about yourself, or having anxiety, then, of course, go to someone trained to help you. A hypnotherapist who specializes in helping people heal the past would be of advantage to you. I suggest that it is important your hypnotherapist also be a counselor, because of the increased methods and experience that would be available for your healing. The therapist should be skilled in going to the original imprint/experience and releasing its hold on you. By the way, you needn't be concerned about whether or not you give up control. Being hypnotized isn't about controlling you; it's about you allowing someone to guide you into your own interior resources so that you can find healing of the past, in order to free yourself for the future. It's especially important, in dealing with possible abuse, that the therapist use questions that in no way "guide" the client into particular answers. There is a big difference between questions like "What's happening, now?" and "Is your mother abusing you?" It's easy to plant false memories, so you must be sure to get a hypnotherapist is skilled in handling abuse cases.

 
 

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