Sexual Abuse Support Group
Sexual abuse is a relative cultural term used to describe sexual relations and behavior between two or more parties which are considered criminally and/or morally offensive. Different types of sexual abuse involve: Non-consensual, forced physical sexual behavior such as rape, incest or sexual assault, or psychological forms of abuse, such as verbal sexual behavior or...
Has anyone used this? Any results to speak of?
My therapist says -- since my mom suggested it and is okay with it -- that I try hypnotherapy for memory recall before going to a gynecologist. Neither of us really feel that I'm ready for the invasive, overall unfomfortable process of that kind of examination...
And, to be honest, the worrying and the wondering is going to eat at me more than if I knew the truth. I don't care if I don't like what I find. I just have to know.
So, I want to know what to expect, if you will. I'm not afraid at all. In fact, I'm ridiculously fascinated.
My therapist says -- since my mom suggested it and is okay with it -- that I try hypnotherapy for memory recall before going to a gynecologist. Neither of us really feel that I'm ready for the invasive, overall unfomfortable process of that kind of examination...
And, to be honest, the worrying and the wondering is going to eat at me more than if I knew the truth. I don't care if I don't like what I find. I just have to know.
So, I want to know what to expect, if you will. I'm not afraid at all. In fact, I'm ridiculously fascinated.
Before I retired, I worked as a counseling psychologist, and I used hypnotherapy all the time with my clients. It is really nothing to be afraid of. The therapist will have you concentrate on something (a pen, a watch, or the sound of his or her voice) while they tell you to just relax as you find yourself getting sleepier and sleepier. All hypnotherapy is about is the power of suggestion. As you come to trust the therapist more and more, you'll be able to fall asleep quicker and quicker. While you are under hypnosis, the guardians of your memories are asleep, too. So you have much quicker and clearer access to your memories, including your memories of what happened when you were abused. In your relaxed state, you will be able to recall the whole event. However, if the therapist feels that the whole event would be too traumatic for you to remember all at once, he or she will only allow a bit of the experience to be recalled by giving you a post hypnotic suggestion.
The whole process is very easy for the client, and they always awake totally relaxed and without any fears or concerns whatsoever. It's a fantastic tool, one that a great many therapists use and receive incredible results from using it. I hope this answered your questions. If not, or if you have some further concerns, please let me know. I'll be happy to help you in any way I can. But, knowing what I do about psychotherapy, I'm sure this is an excellent choice on the part of your counselor. And since there is no way that hypnotherapy could harm you, I say, go for it! Best of luck to you.
Charlie
Thank you, again. I'll definitely look into this.
The hypnotherapist cannot get you to do or believe anything that you wouldn't do or believe while you weren't hypnotized. So they can't turn you into a radical suicide bomber unless you were okay with doing that kind of thing before you were hypnotized.
And they can't plant false beliefs or memories in your mind that won't surface and be instantly challenged once you are awake. If you know and trust your therapist, you are in absolutely no danger, and hypnotherapy can only have a positive result in your life. Best of luck to you. My guess is that you'll enjoy the process and will be looking forward to your next hypnotherapy session. That's how it worked with most of my clients.