Anyone ever done hypnotherapy to unlock traumatic memories?

This is something I've been thinking about for approximately a week. It sounds fascinating to me, and I'd really like to do it, I think.

I've been trying to find out more about it - and looking for a place that offers such services near to me. I'm also looking for costs involved.

It's also sometimes referred to as "inner child work".

I'm pretty excited about the idea. Now I'd like to know if anyone's DONE it. :)

stuff, and then treat what you imagine as a memory.

So you wind up with false memories.

where a child is encouraged to "remember" sexual abuse.

I'm a little worried about that - but I think I'd be able to tell if it were false. It's another reason I'd want to make sure if I went somewhere to do this it was reputable.

I think it is widely accepted nowadays that is the case... Much research on memory distortion and false memories...

or what-you-picture without-worrying about whether it happened, that will be a path to false memories.

let me know how it goes!

when in therapy but the thought of remembering ALL the abuse of my childhood made me so upset I quit. I know enough, don't need any more of it.

I did regression hypnosis once for a friend of mine who was teaching a class at the Meninger Foundation. That was really cool.

My thing with the abuse is this: I remember a lot of it, and I've forgiven my abuser. (my mother) I don't remember all of it - and the main thing that bothers me is that I've never healed the little girl that was then. I've seperated myself from her. I feel like remembering and confronting those memories would be very freeing.

This has come to the forefront of my thinking recently, after establishing contact with a woman that saw my abuse for what it was back then. She was the first adult to see it, to listen, and most importantly, to BELIEVE. She's been telling me about a lot of things that happened to me, that I don't remember. And she's been sharing with me her absolute hatred of my mother.

I was thinking about this before finding her again, though. It was talking to her that prompted me to start figure out how I could fill in those gaps, and looking on the internet brought me to hypnotherapy.

I simply remember enough and it was bad enough that I really think if there is more and I have it hidden then it should stay there. I healed through therapy and it is fine now but we are each different. I did have one brother who was willing to explore our experiences with me but as with me there was only so far he was willing to go as well.

The regression was just being hypnotized and then recalling things from your past. He had us do things we would have learned in grade school, dredged up some of our earliest memories and did one post hypnotic suggestion with one of the men. It was for teaching purposes so it was fun.

I know - most people would rather keep the traumatic stuff buried. I'm an odd one - I want to take each item out of it's dark box and individually examine it.

I like to KNOW stuff. All stuff - any stuff. Not knowing - well, it bugs me. :)

The situation for teaching purposes does sound fun.

Then you want risk the-power-of-suggestion from someone else.

:wow:

That's why I never get to a 2nd date with them.

:D

If they're traumatic, wouldn't I be a lot more cheerful if the sons of bitches stayed locked?

Why would you want to go and look for trouble?.

Redstone

those traumatic experiences may have shaped one's personality in such a way that he/she may be constantly unhappy. Unlocking the memories makes you realize why you are having so much trouble. Acknowledging what happened to you instead of pushing it away may help you become a better person.

That's what I'm guessing anyway.

And there's much less effort and analysis involved.

Things may be different for the OP, so he or she should try whatever might help.

Redstone

I'm actually pretty damned sane as an adult - and I have a very good grip on myself, and life in general. I'm happy, optimisitic, and well-adjusted. I am, however, not perfect - and "perfect" is what I'm striving for.

Just because I'll never achieve it fully doesn't mean I'm willing to stop shooting for it. ;)

Basically, it is my opinion that unremembered trauma must color my life in *some* negative manner, whether or not I realize it. If I could free myself from that, why wouldn't I? One cannot let go of something they do not grasp.

During such sessions.

Recorded sessions of trying to recover alien abduction memories showed the "therapist" leading the patient and giving suggestions as to what might have happened next.

TlalocW

All hypnosis is self hypnosis. My job is a guide. Memories become locked in one way but always manifest themselves. Phobias, stuttering, smoking, overeating, etc. are problem manifestations. If you plan to use hypnotherapy, be ready to do some hard, rewarding work.
Hypnosis is powerful but, it is up to you how effective it can be to create change. Be willing to follow directions, have an open mind and have fun.
Feel free to PM graywarrior. I'd be glad to discuss it in more detail.
R. Mullen, CH

n/t