Regression therapy (RT) is a short-term modality conducted in an altered state of mind inducing a light hypnotic trance, which is quite simply a state of deep relaxation, similar to that which is achieved in meditation. It is an intriguing approach that delves into the depths of our past experiences to uncover hidden memories and emotions.
The modality aims at following the client’s subconscious to the root cause of the issue (be it an event from childhood or a more abstract, symbolic image) and resolving it at a deep subconscious level. It aims to identify past events, memories, and trauma that may negatively impact an individual in the present.
Practitioners believe that the subconscious mind can repress trauma experienced during childhood when the mind is incapable of processing it appropriately. The therapist uses hypnosis to bring memories to the surface, often focusing on childhood memories specifically.
How does Regression Therapy work? The therapist creates a safe and supportive environment for the client, helping them feel comfortable and relaxed. An average session takes about 2 hours and consists of two main parts:
- In the first part, the therapist guides you through your memories and/or associations linked with the issue.
- In the second part, the therapist helps you through the transformation of the difficult aspects with the help of active imagination.
The therapist will guide the client through relaxation exercises to enter a hypnotic state and access past memories. Once a difficult memory is found, emotions that had remained buried could come to the surface to be released. The memory and its effects could also be reframed to feel less painful to the person. As a result of releasing these emotions or reframing the difficult events, a person might experience improvement in their daily life.
Although there are no guarantees, it is often the case that you can notice the first shift after just one session, and 3-5 sessions are usually sufficient to resolve the issue.
Origins of Regression Therapy: Sigmund Freud, the Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis, laid the groundwork for regression therapy. He believed that addressing past traumas and releasing the difficult emotions they caused is essential for overall well-being. The core techniques used in regression therapy, namely hypnotherapy and psychoanalysis, gained prominence in the 1950s.
However, regression therapy itself developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s and based itself on core psychological principles of the conscious and subconscious, studying the effects of stored memories on the psyche.
Founded at Frankfurt in 2006 by 36 members from 7 countries the international standards for Regression Therapy have been set by The EARTH Association.
