Freud.Free Association and Hypnotherapy
Whilst researching through some old course notes on free association earlier this week I was reminded of this very interesting fact. For most of his career Freud used psychoanalysis with his patients but not in hypnosis. Freud studied hypnosis in Paris and used hypnosis at the beginning of his career.
At first he was a very enthusiastic proponent of hypnosis for some time but later decided to abandon it in favour of talking therapies. Over time however he actually came to realise and suggest that combining hypnosis with free association might hasten the process because of the way the subconscious mind can accept suggestion rather more quickly than the conscious mind. In the cases of complex emotional issues many of Freud's psychoanalysis sessions were typically around 1000 hours long. That is three sessions a week for seven years! No doubt putting the affordability of the therapy out of the reach of many ordinary people.
It has always been a valid argument in hypnosis circles that change can take place far more rapidly at the subconscious level than at the conscious level where the judgmental conscious mind with all of its doubts, fears and neurosis which stem from the subconscious mind battle it out. By reprogramming the subconscious mind using hypnosis we can bring both parts of the mind into balance and harmony far more quickly than is the case in 'counselling' based talking therapies.
Combining free association with hypnosis shortens the whole process considerably so that a successful outcome may be achieved within perhaps as little six to ten sessions for the more complex emotional issues which all goes a long way to prove the efficacy of hypnosis
Trevor Wales. Dip Hyp. GQHP. BWRT. GHR. CRSST. CNHC.
Phone 01726 69703 Skype :- Trevor.wales3