Psychological and Physical Effects of Trauma

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

2. Trauma Therapy

3. Peter Stanley Goddard MM • 22.6.38 – 17.8.08 • Left school at 15 • Served for 24 years • Medical discharge in January, 1977 • Awarded MM for action at Wadi Quatana on 1.12.64.

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

5. 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)

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

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

8. Trauma Therapy

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

10. The Emotional Roundabout

11. Polarities of Trauma Symptoms Intrusive/Compulsive Compulsive/addictive sexuality Rage Flashbacks (might be VKOAG) Somatic/medical symptoms, eating disorders, self harm/mutilation 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)

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

13. 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

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

15. Symptomatic V. Healing Trance 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 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

16. Survival Mind V Learning Mind 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) Balancing Stress

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

18. 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

19. Trauma to Transformation • Motivating change