Age Regression

Age regression is an aspect of several therapies, including hypnotherapy. It was developed to help explore a memory, or a withdrawn aspect of a client’s personality. It is used for many reasons. Often it is designed help them see themselves as they were at a particular point in time and understand the consequences of current destructive behaviour.  It is also used to help bring repressed memory from the subconscious to the conscious mind. As a result, these memories are often traumatic. Hypnosis is a trance like state in which a person has increased susceptibility to suggestions. It is a technique that is considered safe.

It will not cause you to lose control, or do anything that you would not normally do. Age regression occurs when a hypnotized person recalls specific past events. Depending on how receptive the client is to hypnosis, this event is re-lived with amazing clarity and detail. The emotions of the event are also experienced. Time can be slowed down and each aspect of the event analyzed by replaying or fast forwarding. It has been compared to reading a book, by picking and choosing specific chapters. Utilizing this technique is not taken lightly by the therapist. (96)

The mind is a powerful tool and the exact memories and emotions can never be anticipated. Age regression is used to bring repressed trauma to the surface for health or life goals to be achieved. It has also been used to pinpoint the causes of compulsive behaviours and phobias. This is called goal directed regression. There is a specific piece of information that is being searched for and the results are often simple to assess.  If the client is able to discover the insight they need to resolve current issues, the process was a success. Exploratory regression is done for the novelty of the experience.

Recreational age regression is for personal edification. There are no significant issues to resolve. If the therapist is not properly trained and experienced, adverse affects could result. They must have the skill to establish that the client can proceed safely. Occasionally, the process must be aborted due to complications. This is dangerous for the client. Under normal conditions, the therapist must be able to control every step. This process may not be the goal of the hypnosis session. It often occurs spontaneously.

Tom Smith common name, uncommon therapy