Psychological and Physical Effects of Trauma John D Lawrence Chair of UKCHO Swindon Marriot Hotel Friday, 3 July 2009 (United Kingdom Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations.)

Trauma Therapy

Peter Stanley Goddard MM – Left school at 15 Served for 24 years Medical discharge in January, 1977 Awarded MM for action at Wadi Quatana on

Sign on Wall at the Brecon Beacons Military Camp, Sennybridge, Wales PAIN IS JUST A SIGN OF WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY

Alien Existence Alienation:estrangement from self. –The greatest hazard of all, losing oneself, can occur very quietly in the world, as if it were nothing at all. No other loss can occur so quietly. Any other loss-an arm, a leg, five dollars, a wife, etc. is sure to be noticed. (Kierkegaard: Sickness unto Death:32)

Consequences of insecurity. Insecurity –Engulfment: feeling overwhelmed. –Implosion: feeling unreal and empty. –Petrification: turning to stone.

Direction of Therapy Cooperative relationships –Mutuality: reciprocity-equality. –Generosity: giving of oneself. –Collaboration: working together.

Trauma Therapy

Death Work, Police Trauma and the Psychology of Survival Psychic closing off Necessary for police work

The Emotional Roundabout

Inhibited/Lacking No sexual response/sensations No anger (freeze) No memories (complete or only partial VKOAG) No body awareness (certain areas i.e. hands or arms only) Intrusive/Compulsive Compulsive/addictive sexuality Rage Flashbacks (might be VKOAG) Somatic/medical symptoms, eating disorders, self harm/mutilation Polarities of Trauma Symptoms

Traditional Trauma Therapy The Un-experienced Experience Model Client is: 1.Dissociated from Trauma or Abuse 2.Considering it as never really having experienced it 3.Having a lack of connection to the event 4.Needs regression to re-experience event

Symptomatic Trance Is: Repetitive and self-devaluing Closes down all possibilities of change Repetitive of past states Needs updated to fit present context Self as more than symptom is forgotten

Healing Trance Is: Validating Empowering Valid in relation to current situation Self as more than symptoms remembered

Symptomatic V. Healing Trance Invalidation, blame, violating boundaries Mystification, binds, double Binds Coalitions, secrets, negative dissociation Predictions of failure or trouble, threats Rigid role assignments, mind reading Repetition of negative experiences/injurious/self- injurious behaviour Repression, amnesia Validation, permission, respecting boundaries Possibility words and phrases Helpful distinctions Post-hypnotic suggestions of health/healing Positive attributions, avoidance of intrusive interpretations Empowering suggestions, you can, you may, it’s okay, you don’t have to Reverse remembering/forgetting

Survival Mind V Learning Mind Balancing Stress Dealing with self development, growth, healing, learning and rejuvenation (Provides a balance between mobilisation and restoration – sleep, rest) Dealing with danger or perceived danger (Operates automatically to defend against external threats)

Survival Mind V Learning Mind Keyed to Harm Avoidance Keyed to Novel Experience Anxiety, Anger, Introversion. Selective bias towards the familiar (safe) Can avoid or detach from relationships based on previous attachments/ relationships Open to new experience. Interest, curiosity, pleasure, Novelty. Extroversion

Repetitive Freeze Patterns Viewing (Reverie) Involves patterns of thinking or focus that are either harmful or ineffective for the client- combat negative self hypnosis (Araoz, 1985) A symptomatic trance Doing (Actions) Relates to actions or interactions that are harmful or ineffective for the client

Trauma to Transformation Motivating change