Subliminal Therapy E-Book

Edwin K Yager

• Herausgeber: Crown House Publishing
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 410

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2012

Beschreibung

Subliminal Therapy is a technique that utilizes hypnotic phenomena for therapeutic purpose without requiring a formal trance induction. The protocol is effective as a sole intervention or as an adjunct to other forms of treatment. In this volume, the reader is introduced to the concepts and applications of Subliminal Therapy and taught its protocol as well This includes establishing identifiable communication with the unconscious domain, uncovering influences that are causing current problems, and resolving those influences.The logically applied protocol of Subliminal Therapy engages unconscious process to uncover the causes of presenting problems, whether manifesting physically, emotionally, intellectually or behaviorally, and then to resolve that influence through re-framing and re-conditioning. The causes of psychogenic problems are usually not consciously recognized; only the resultant symptom - the disability - is apparent. Subliminal Therapy provides a practical, efficient and logical way to identify the cause, as well as a practical, efficient and logical way to resolve its influence. Although Subliminal Therapy may be new concept for professionals, it has been evolving over the past thirty years into a most efficient protocol. The technique has proved especially effective in the treatment of anxiety and the effects of early abuse such as sexual dysfunction, unresolved anger and psychogenic medical problems.

Leseprobe

Praise for Subliminal Therapy

The process of therapy presented by Dr. Yager is not to be confused with subliminal messages of old. It appears to result in a hypnotic state without a formal induction or use of typical hypnotic suggestions. Instead, the person is guided through a step-by-step process that is modifiable for use for many differing conditions. The process is “client-centered” with a strong reliance on the patient’s own resources. Without the included case illustrations and results from evaluations, the technique might seem preposterous, particularly to those well-entrenched in a mental health practice based on better known principles and methods.

The book will challenge your beliefs about the basis of mental and physical behavior and dysfunctional conditions with findings and principles that are thought-provoking, if not convincing. This work of innovation and devotion will help you learn a technique, supported by evidence of rather remarkable benefit for several conditions. It would seem only a matter of time before treatment of many medical disorders is based on the principles and techniques proposed here, aiming more directly at the cause and with more use of the person’s own resources. James H. Stewart, MD, Mayo Clinic in Florida

Edwin Yager is a highly respected clinical hypnotherapist and this excellent book describes subliminal techniques which can be used with or without normal trance induction to help in discovering the roots of present-day presenting problems, where those suffering have been unable to uncover their cause. The book is written with great clarity and detail and will, I am certain, be of enormous benefit to practicing therapists whether or not they have already been contemplating the use of subliminal therapy in the treatment of those who consult them. Ursula Markham, Founder and Principal of the Hypnothink Foundation

This book grabbed my attention in the very first paragraph of the Prologue by mentioning how two sessions of subliminal therapy resulted in a client’s asthma ceasing, with no recurring symptoms after 39 months. The author’s work developing Subliminal Therapy (ST) is innovative and brilliant, and it spans almost four decades.

Since much of health-care today helps patients and/or clients deal with the effects of physical or mental problems, it is very significant that the author resolves causes rather than just treating the symptoms. He states: “Resolve the cause and the problem goes away, not just temporarily, it goes away, period.”

Actual case histories are presented to document the results. Examples include smoking cessation, anxiety, pain reduction, anger management, alcohol abuse, panic attacks, and more. Success rates were measured. The overall success rate for ST averages more than 80 percent, with a profound success rate of 94 percent for addictions. One category with a lower success, pain reduction, still reflects an impressive 75 percent success rate.

The author works on the concept that the mind contains a conscious, a subconscious, and a higher level of unconscious functioning that he calls “Centrum”. This extra-consciousness is aware of various parts of the mind (also called ego states, or selves); and awareness of the subconscious parts is employed during the sessions. However, ST differs from both Ego State Therapy and Parts Therapy, because the facilitator communicates with Centrum rather than with the parts. Centrum then communicates directly with the parts at the facilitator’s request, educating and/or persuading the client’s parts, and indicating when the work is complete.

Flow charts appear in the appendices to ensure certain protocols are employed by anyone using ST. Additionally, in order to provide proper training in ST to health-care professionals, the author offers training and certification through the Subliminal Therapy Institute, Inc., in Southern California.

Whether or not one wishes to use Subliminal Therapy, I recommend that health-care professionals and hypnotherapists alike read this book. C. Roy Hunter, PhD, FAPHP, author of several hypnosis texts, includingHypnosis for Inner Conflict Resolution: Introducing Parts Therapy

Dr. Yager’s Subliminal Therapy presents a fresh challenge to conventional theories of disturbance. His understanding of the concept of a divided mind that incorporates a higher intelligence called Centrum is intriguing and will spark interest in anyone involved in the psychotherapeutic treatment of psychological, psychogenic and physical conditions. The refreshingly liberal use of case histories throughout gives the reader a true taste for, and confidence in, the clear and rational structured approach that is Subliminal Therapy.Peter Mabbutt, FBSCH, FBAMH, CEO/Director of Studies, London College of Clinical Hypnosis

The dedication in Dr. Yager’s Subliminal Therapy is telling: “to those clinicians … who have the intellectual curiosity to seek improved ways to help people, the openness to consider that which is truly new and the willingness to test the effectiveness of the techniques they use.” This is a book that ticks many boxes: being truly ground-breaking, yet highly practical; imaginative, yet rigorously researched; and accessible, yet intellectually satisfying.

Drawing on forty years experience of employing hypnotic procedures in psychotherapy, Yager clearly demonstrates how the methods and protocols of Subliminal Therapy – utilizing hypnotic techniques without requiring a formal trance induction – can be used to facilitate both psychological and physical healing.

Theoretical material is well-supported by extensive case material, which demonstrates Yager’s pioneering work in the application of the psychology of mind–body healing.

In common with Griffin and Tyrrell’s HumanGivens, this is a book which expands its readers’ understanding of the enormous potential of trance-work and reframing for achieving therapeutic ends in their broadest sense.

I highly recommend it.John Perry, MA, MA, MSc, FHEA, Principal Teaching Fellow in Healthcare Communication, University of Southampton, UK

Subliminal Therapy

Using the Mind to Heal

Edwin K. Yager, Ph.D.

This book is dedicated to those clinicians, both established and new to the field, who have the intellectual curiosity to seek improved ways to help people, the openness to consider that which is truly new and the willingness to test the effectiveness of the techniques they use.

Prologue

TJ, a 22-year-old female, presented with a twenty-plus year history of asthma that had not responded to traditional treatment. Following two one-hour treatment sessions by Subliminal Therapy, all symptoms of asthma had ceased. And after thirty-nine months, no symptoms have recurred.

This case illustrates the unique effectiveness of Subliminal Therapy, as do the following two cases:

LV presented with a forty-year history of unremitting pain. LV, now 64, was in an air crash during the Vietnam War in which he suffered damage to the bones and nerves of his upper body, shoulders and neck. He had been in severe pain since that experience and was living with a morphine drip. Following three hours of treatment by Subliminal Therapy, he reported 88 percent relief, with 90 percent relief reported two months post-treatment and maintained an additional forty-four months post-treatment. His morphine drip is now at one-fourth the dose at the beginning of treatment.

HJ, 34, presented with panic attacks, experienced on a daily basis for many years that had not responded either to pharmacology or to psychotherapy treatment. The attacks totally remitted after four hours of treatment by Subliminal Therapy and have not recurred twenty-four months post-treatment.

These cases are not unique in the application of Subliminal Therapy. They are not even unusual and are in fact quite common. By using Subliminal Therapy, clinicians are capable of providing lasting cure of psychogenic disorders and of providing marked relief from pain and emotional distress in consequence of physical trauma, as well as physical diseases such as cancer.

Subliminal Therapy predates the practice of reframing as described by Bandler and Grinder (1983) and offers a more extensive protocol for actually resolving the underlying causes of psychogenic disorders. The intellectual capacities of the patient are utilized in the process, tapping into commonly unrecognized abilities, abilities that might be described as extra-conscious, doing so using a rational, logical protocol.

Subliminal Therapy is not just an idealized dream. The technique was developed almost forty years ago and has been researched on a continual basis. Data has been accumulated during recent years to substantiate its effectiveness, data that is presented herein. This book, coupled with exposure to video recordings of the application of Subliminal Therapy, will prepare you, the established clinician, to help your patients in ways just as dramatic as the cases above, and will introduce these concepts to those new to the helping professions.

Preface

During forty years of studying and employing hypnotic techniques, I have come to several clearly defined conclusions. The clearest of these is that we have mental capacities far beyond those we currently comprehend. In particular, we have capacities to heal both mentally and physically, and to do so with efficiency and thoroughness that we have only begun to understand. I believe Subliminal Therapy is a forerunner of psychotherapeutic techniques to accomplish such healing.

We do, of course, already know some remarkable things. We know of our capacity to achieve anesthesia without chemical aid. We know of our mental ability to either accelerate or to impede the healing of wounds. We strongly suspect the role of mental influence in the causes of some illnesses that have classically been considered in the realm of physical origin. I have personally witnessed healing of some aspects of traumatic brain injury unexplained by conventional standards. I have witnessed progress in improving some symptoms of autism and of the cure of many cases of asthma, all by the intervention of mental capacities.

Another clearly defined conclusion I have reached is that a large percentage of physical illnesses that plague humankind are, in fact, psychogenic. This conclusion is not original; we have long recognized the influence of emotional and mental states on many disorders. Gastro-intestinal, dermatological and respiratory illnesses are illustrations; to extrapolate our thoughts into the domain of ‘cause’ is not unreasonable. The action of smooth muscle, controlled by unconscious processes, can affect all physical processes by occluding airways and arteries and by altering glandular secretions. If such action were to disturb physical processes, creating the symptoms of an illness, although prompted by an emotional disturbance, it would be diagnosed as organic illness.

In this book I offer a systematic protocol, Subliminal Therapy, which has proven successful as an effective treatment by purely mental intervention, of a surprisingly wide variety of presenting problems, both mental and physical. The assumptions upon which this protocol is based range from being conventionally logical to stretching the credibility of many clinicians. I recall the reaction of one psychologist when he was first exposed to the Subliminal Therapy protocol as he uttered, “What unmitigated nonsense!” As the reader of this book, you might conceivably, at least initially, have a similar reaction. It is my hope that you will test the validity of Subliminal Therapy for yourself. You will find it sound.

I recognize that the theory of human mental functioning I present here is at odds with the conventional psychiatric model, in which mental illness is believed to be the consequence of chemical imbalance in the brain. Instead, I believe the chemical imbalance is the consequence of the mental illness. There is no question that chemical imbalance exists in mental disorders; it is the cause–effect relationship between them that I see as reversed. For example, in conventional psychiatry, depression is considered to be the consequence of chemical imbalance, and the DSM diagnostic criteria is based upon that assumption. In opposition, I consider depression to be the consequence of conditioning from life experiences, and the preferred treatment is therefore by mental intervention, not by medication. The accuracy of my position on this matter is demonstrated in the data on the success rates of Subliminal Therapy (see Chapter VI).

Contents

Title Page

Dedication

Prologue

Preface

Introduction

Chapter I: Background and Concepts

Origin of the Concept of Subliminal Therapy

The Clinical Acceptance of Subliminal Therapy

Overview of the Process

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III

Phase IV

Phase V

Comparison of Subliminal Therapy to Other Therapeutic Techniques

Psychoanalysis

Hypnotic Age Regression

The Analytical Use of Ideo-Motor Responses

Subconscious Guided Therapy

Ego State Therapy

The Inner Advisor

Parts Therapy

Psychosynthesis

Voice Dialogue

PSYCH-K

Appropriate Treatment Applications

Psychological Disorders

Physical Disorders of Psychogenic Origin

Physical Disorders of Non-Psychogenic Origin

Chapter II: Theory and Assumptions

The Underlying Principles of Subliminal Therapy

The Assumptions of Subliminal Therapy

The First Assumption

The Second Assumption

The Third Assumption

The Fourth Assumption

In Summary

Chapter III: The Process of Subliminal Therapy

What the Clinician Must Know

Posing Questions to Centrum

Recognizing Responses That Were Presented As Coming From Centrum, But Are Expressions Of Conscious Opinion

Resistance

Maintain the Focus of the Procedure on the Immediate Goal to be Achieved

Initial Patient Preparation

The Role of the Therapist

The Role of the Patient

Defining the Goal(s) of Therapy

The Concept of Conditioning

Introducing the Concept of Subliminal Therapy to the Patient

Instructing the Patient in Perceiving Communications from Centrum

Alternate Means of Perceiving Communications from Centrum

The ‘Guiding Rule’

Chapter IV: Applying Subliminal Therapy

Introductory Questions

The Flow Charts

Introduction to the Flow Charts

Instructions for Using the Flow Charts

Applications of Subliminal Therapy

Treating Pain with Subliminal Therapy

Treating PTSD with Subliminal Therapy

Treating Migraine and Tension Headaches with Subliminal Therapy

Treating Depression and Anxiety with Subliminal Therapy

Treating Addictions with Subliminal Therapy

Treating Vaginismus with Subliminal Therapy

Weight Management and Subliminal Therapy

Chapter V: Case Illustrations

Pat – A Case of Smoking Cessation

Barbara – A Case of Anxiety and Libido – In-Class Demonstration

Della – Detecting Conscious Opinion Expressed as Communication from Centrum

Tom – A Case of Pain from a Spinal Cord Injury

Cindy – Unusual Resolution of Anger

Suzi – The Resolution of Alcohol Abuse

Pete – Excerpts from a Case of Panic Attacks

Lorrie – A Case of Dry Eyes

Martha – A Case of Unrelenting, Minimally Productive Coughing

Fred – Compromised Sexual Relations in Consequence of Early Molestation

Georgia – A Case of Guilt for Having Been Born

Tim – A Case of Panic Attacks Leading to Agoraphobia

Becky – A Case of Anxiety with Occasional Panic Attacks

Jack – A Case of Compulsive Behavior

Dean – Variations in Responses From Centrum – A

Penny – Variations in Responses From Centrum – B

Mary – Subliminal Therapy by Telephone

Chapter VI: Typical Problems Encountered

Communication Problems

Conscious Opinions Expressed in Lieu of Responses from Centrum

Handling Delayed Responses

Resistance to Change

Conscious Resistance to Change

Subconscious Resistance to Change

Manifestations of Subconscious Resistance

Resolving Subconscious Resistance

Chapter VII: Research on the Efficacy of Subliminal Therapy

Early Research

Current Research

Methods

Results

Limitations of the Study

Efficacy of Other Therapies

Conclusions

Chapter VIII: The Subliminal Therapy Institute, Inc.

Formation

Objectives

Training and Certification in Subliminal Therapy

Promotion of Subliminal Therapy

Chapter IX: Other Considerations

The Self-Use of Subliminal Therapy

Problems to Expect

How to be Effective

An Example

Suggestions for the Self-Use of Subliminal Therapy

Subliminal Therapy by Telephone

Comparing Subliminal Therapy with Direct Hypnotic Suggestions

The Use of a Computer in Lieu of a Therapist

Premature Withdrawal from Treatment

Duration of Treatment

When Using Ideo-Motor Responses

A Legitimate Question

When Symptoms Recur

When Centrum Responds in the First Person

When the Patient Has Compromised IQ

When the Patient is Consciously Confused

When the Patient Wants to Remember the Content – and Doesn’t

Centrum’s Apparent Limits

Treating the Cause vs. Treating the Symptom

When Not To Use Subliminal Therapy

The Future of Subliminal Therapy

Appendix A: Flow Charts

The Basic Flow Chart

The Extended Flow Chart

Verbal Content for the Steps on the Flow Charts

Appendix B: General Information to be Provided to the Patient before Treatment

Smooth Muscle

Emotions

Fear

Guilt

Bitterness

Grief

Experience

Selfishness

Forgiveness

Acceptance

Learning

Skepticism

Learned Dysfunction

Suggestibility

Sex

The Beauty of Sex

Consequences of Ignorance

Masturbation

Sexual Molestation

References and Further Reading

Index

Author’s Statement

About the Author

Copyright

Introduction

This is a ‘how to’ book. In reading these pages, I will introduce you to Subliminal Therapy (ST) and teach you the procedures involved in applying the technique. I will make you aware of the potential ST has to literally cure or effectively ease the trauma of many disorders, some physical as well as many psychological.

As presented in this book, I do not view ST to be the final form or the final word about the technique. During the course of development, ST has evolved in form and organization, and I anticipate it will continue to evolve as insights beyond my own are contributed. For example, the concept of Centrum, as introduced in Chapter I, is the least understood of the premises of ST, and I am satisfied that Centrum has capabilities not yet explored. I urge readers to explore them on their own. It is already evident that Centrum has unexplained capabilities in the domain of pain control, tumor remission, dissociative disorders and immunization – and these are just the beginning.

The concept of ST evolved from my ‘engineering’ way of thinking. Even before I left my career in electronic engineering, I became interested in hypnotic phenomena and the unconscious capacities that a patient in trance could access. The essential concepts of ST are rooted in hypnotic phenomena, and I therefore consider it be a hypnotic technique. Both conscious thought and subconscious thought have levels of complexity and awareness and the concept of the existence of a higher level of unconscious functioning evolved as I struggled to explain the way humans function. We are conditioned creatures, and if that conditioning results in the creation of ‘learned’ elements of our mental functioning, and these elements are represented in the unconscious domain as separate influences, how are we able to function in organized ways, rather than being dysfunctional, with our attention and direction randomly dictated by the influences of the moment? My answer was that there has to be a higher level of cognitive or psychological functioning, and with the many hundreds of patients with whom I have used ST, that higher level of functioning has been apparent in almost every one of them. In 1974 I named that level of the subconscious domain ‘Centrum’.

As a clinician, I greatly prefer to identify and resolve the cause of a problem, rather than wrestle with its symptoms. When cause is resolved, symptoms cease to exist. Not only can treatment result in curing the problem, meaning permanent resolution, it is also the most time-efficient approach available. The success rates quoted in Chapter IV summarize the self-evaluations of patients I have treated in the recent past, as documented by patient-completed inventories.

I conceive humanity as being conditioned by life-experiences, and the effects of conditioning can endure for a lifetime. It is through conditioning that we learn values, skills, behaviors and limitations. Sometimes we also learn dysfunctional values, skills, behaviors and limitations.

Conditioned responses may become subconscious responses, and there is seldom conscious awareness of the etiology of a resultant problem. Phobic persons do not know why they are phobic, and the person with migraine headaches does not know why they occur. A great many presenting problems are the consequence of conditioning and a common denominator is their manifestation through the misguided action of smooth muscle. Misguided, that is, by the controlling, subconscious mental process that is, in turn, the consequence of experience.

The action of smooth muscle maintains life itself by modulating glandular function, digestion, respiration and the pattern of blood flow in the body, all controlled via the autonomic nervous system. If misguided, such action may manifest as an asthma attack, a migraine headache, a gastro-intestinal or dermatological problem. And, since the action of smooth muscle can be controlled by mental processes, and subconscious process is determined by conditioning, is it not apparent that some physical illnesses can be psychogenic, as psychosomatic medicine has so long maintained?

Chapter I

Background and Concepts

In this chapter I present the concept of Subliminal Therapy from conception through its evolution. After an overview of the technique, I present its clinical acceptance, structure, advantages, limitations and appropriate areas of application.

Origin of the Concept of Subliminal Therapy

I first conceived the technique I named Subliminal Therapy (ST) in 1974. As with all developments in our field, the concept evolved from knowledge of the work of others who I will duly acknowledge. At that time I had transitioned from a career in engineering into the world of psychotherapy and was applying my engineering way of thinking to explain human behavior as I had learned about it in my studies and through personal observations. I noticed that consistent, conscious self-control of behavior, a concept I had accepted as reality, was an illusion. Undesired thoughts, habits and behaviors of many kinds are commonly and repeatedly experienced against our will. In spite of our cultural admonition to be in conscious control, I recognized that subconscious functioning is the locus of control.

Moreover, I came to recognize that the subconscious domain is not a unified whole as conventionally regarded; instead it is sub-divided, with distinctively different parts representing learned beliefs, skills, limitations, personality traits, values and behaviors that are sometimes in conflict with each other. This fact, I came to understand, was the root of many problems that my patients presented. I also understood that these parts were created in the course of life experiences, i.e., they were conditioned responses. This concept of a divided subconscious is not new. I found similaritieswith Ego State Therapy by Watkins (1979), Freud (1938) and within the principles taught by Jung (1916, 1933).

It seems that when an experience occurs and a lesson is learned, a new part of the mind is created. ‘Something’ is present in the subconscious domain now, something that was not there before the experience occurred. This something may manifest consciously in the form of emotion or compulsive behavior; however, conscious awareness of the influences prompting the emotion or behavior is rarely present. This subconscious part represents the learning that occurred in the course of the experience and may thereafter continue to play an active role in the person’s life, maintaining the theme of the original lesson. For example: If a child learns he is stupid – as might happen if he is called stupid by a person seen as an authority – the part of his mind that was created in that situation may continue to influence his life by compromising his self-image. He may also continue to behave stupidly based on the subconscious belief that he is stupid. On the other hand, if the lesson is positive, such as, “You are smart,” the part created continues to influence his life in positive ways. The accumulation of a multitude of such parts, each derived from life experiences, seems to constitute a major portion of the subconscious domain, with the balance representing genetic and perhaps spiritual factors. Also, reinforcing experiences or conflicting experiences create reinforcing or conflicting parts. This way of thinking about the mind is fundamental to the concept of ST. In this model of the mind, therapy consists of identifying the problematic parts and then reconditioning them to support the current needs and values of the individual and society.

In the model of the mind upon which Subliminal Therapy is based, three levels of mental functioning are apparent: Consciousness, the Subconscious domain and a level of Extra-Consciouscapability. The similar construct of Freudian psychoanalysis comes to mind, corresponding to the Id, Ego and Super-Ego. However, in Subliminal Therapy the work of therapy is accomplished in the extra-conscious domain, while in psychoanalysis the work is accomplished consciously.

Our conscious abilities are at once awesome and limited. On the awesome side, there is love, creativity and intelligence. On the limited side, we commonly hold an exaggerated expectation of our ability to control ourselves. We envision abilities to make desired changes that are quite beyond our capacity to execute. Examples include abilities to self-cure phobias, compulsions and irrational convictions, as well as limitations typically recognized as irrational, yet that continue in spite of the exertion of conscious will.

The subconscious domain seems to be the repository of influences from life experiences and totally lacking in the ability to be proactive. This domain is analogous to the random access memory of a computer: it is subject to change and motivated to action in response to outside stimulus, and it provides data to associated functions such as speech, yet it is not capable of self-initiated action. It is intelligent only in the sense that it is capable of learning and relearning. Importantly, it is the domain that is (conditionally) subject to the influence of direct hypnotic suggestions.

The extra-conscious mind, on the other hand, seems to have self-awareness. That domain has the ability to ‘think’ in the same way that we think consciously, i.e., to reason, to relate cause and effect, and to extrapolate. The extra-conscious domain usually possesses a sense of the value of the self and is willing to cooperate in improving the status of the self. I cannot explain how a person could function normally without a unifying – and perhaps guiding – influence in the subconscious domain. Such an influence must provide direction and purpose, as well as facilitate communication among these sub-divided elements I refer to as ‘parts’. This seems to be the role of the extra-conscious domain, to which I initially assigned the name ‘Control’. However, I shortly realized a different name was needed, since ‘Control’ was factually a misnomer (arbitrary control does not seem to exist there), and I have since used the name ‘Centrum’.

I cannot objectively validate Centrum as an entity, as opposed to a hypothetical construct, to the satisfaction of a determined skeptic. I can, however, validate Centrum to the subjective satisfaction of my patients and myself. And, after interacting with the Centrums of several thousand patients, I have reached subjective conviction of its validity. It is clear to me that there is a higher level of intelligence in all of us, an entity that is positively disposed toward our wellbeing. On more than one occasion patients have affirmed Centrum as their “Soul”. I am satisfied that it does not really matter what name is applied. Validation of Centrum occurs in the process in which Centrum is engaged to accomplish the desired change. Patients may initially express reservations; however, as soon as the process has begun, and Centrum has demonstrated its existence, patients cease to raise questions.

The Clinical Acceptance of Subliminal Therapy

Early in its development, I was concerned about the model of Subliminal Therapy being too unconventional or too unusual to be accepted as legitimate by mainstream psychotherapists. Such acceptance was never a problem with my patients; they were participating with enthusiasm. Professionals, on the other hand, did not have the full picture; they were typically exposed to only the basic theory of ST without the benefit of personal experience or validation by clinical trials.

My concerns were based in reality; even today a few clinicians continue to regard Subliminal Therapy as bizarre and too far outside the mainstream. On the other hand, I have trained psychologists, masters-level therapists, medical students and physicians in its use, doing so without the unconventionality barrier being a problem. As its reputation expands and research data has accumulated, ST has experienced broader acceptance, and those clinicians familiar with its use are vocal in promoting its concepts. Insofar as patients are concerned, while a few may have reservations initially, and some may be too polite to express those reservations, few of them maintain those reservations when the stage has been set and therapy has begun.

I believe we will see broader clinical acceptance only as research data affirms the effectiveness of ST, and such research has not yet occurred to the degree necessary. Yet data are gradually accumulating, and this unconventional approach to personal change is being affirmed as the outstanding, effective and efficient technique I know it to be.

Overview of the Process

In this segment of the book, I divide the process of Subliminal Therapy into five phases, describing each phase and providing flow charts in Appendix A to guide clinicians in learning its application.

Phase I

Phase I consists of building rapport with the patient, educating the patient about the technique and clarifying the goal(s) of therapy. This phase typically requires thirty minutes to an hour, depending upon the skill of the therapist, as well as the patient’s openness to new concepts. The time may be shortened if the patient has had previous exposure to ST, either via the Internet (e.g., via my website, www.docyager.com) or by having read Subliminal Therapy: Utilizing Subconscious Abilities in Therapy (Yager, 1999), a booklet I created for the purpose of introducing the concepts to patients.

Phase II

This phase consists of establishing communication with the patient’s Centrum, determining Centrum’s willingness to support the conscious goal and clarifying Centrum’s ability to do the necessary work. This phase typically consumes less than ten minutes. However, in a small percentage of cases Centrum must be educated about essential capabilities, in which case an hour or more may be required.

Phase III

Phase III is beginning the application of Subliminal Therapy to the presenting problem. Here the flowcharts may be of great aid to the clinician who is learning the technique (see Chapter III and Appendix A). Centrum is engaged and guided to take the necessary steps. The knowledge and clinical training of the therapist is focused on executing a rational decision tree that is at once challenging and satisfying, both to the clinician and to the patient. The concepts presented above are subjectively experienced by the patient, with real validation of the technique occurring as desired change takes place in real world experiences.

Phase IV

This is a process of determining if the work is as complete as possible at this time. Is there more to be done? Is there some remaining issue that has not yet been recognized, an issue that might cause the problem to continue? If there is any indication that an additional issue exists, it must be addressed. If no further issues appear to exist, such indication is still not absolute; the ultimate test of completeness lies in the real world as the patient experiences everyday life. Nevertheless, these steps are valuable in providing immediate, if not a final, indication of remaining issues that must be resolved.

Note: Completing Phases III and IV may require less than an hour, or may require multiple hours, typically averaging from two to four hours, including the initial hour of history-taking and evaluation.

Phase V

Follow-up. In some cases, in spite of all available indications that the work of therapy has been completed, the problem continues after the patient leaves the session. It may continue at a less severe level, or even at a greater level of severity, or rarely in modified form. Nevertheless, in such cases further work is required, and the concern is that the patient might conclude “It isn’t working” and withdraw from treatment. It is important for the patient to recognize that recurrence of the problem simply indicates the work is not complete, as opposed to the work not having been successful. Should the problem continue, explain that some other part remains, some part not previously recognized, that is actively causing the problem to continue and that additional therapy can resolve the problem entirely. You should assure them that immediate continuation of the problem does not indicate failure, either by them or the technique. A legitimate conclusion of failure of ST applies when no subconscious cause can be found and the problem continues.

Comparison of Subliminal Therapy to Other Therapeutic Techniques

Clinicians have many therapeutic techniques available to choose from. All, including ST, incorporate hypnotic phenomena either overtly or covertly, with or without the intention or awareness of the clinician. I have presented a few techniques in the following paragraphs and have contrasted them with ST as a means of explaining ST more fully. Since ST is essentially a psychodynamic technique, I have only presented psychodynamic techniques for comparison.

PsychoanalysisSubliminal TherapyIn psychoanalysis, the patient is encouraged to consciously explore psychogenic variables by means of free association and other techniques with the objective of achieving insight into the factors causing the presenting problem. This insight is then interpreted by the analyst to arrive at new understanding, which is then integrated by the patient.In marked contrast, conscious involvement in the process of therapy is minimized; the work is accomplished by the patient’s extra-conscious abilities (Centrum). As opposed to insight (which is a necessary but insufficient component), in ST the analysis and interpretation of uncovered material is accomplished by the patient without involvement of outside opinion; the therapist acts as a guide of the process with only occasional involvement in the content of the work.

Hypnotic Age RegressionSubliminal TherapyIn this technique, the therapist utilizes the enhanced ability to recall information that is afforded by the trance state to identify life experiences that have resulted in dysfunctional current behaviors. Then the therapist typically evaluates and reframes the retrieved information with the goal of eliminating the dysfunction. The patient is consciously aware of, and involved in the steps in the process and may accomplish evaluation and reframing independently of the therapist.Two primary differences are apparent: In Hypnotic Age Regression there is no recognition of extra-conscious abilities and no recognition of the sub-divided nature of the subconscious domain. By utilizing ST, the therapist avoids the interfering bias of the patient’s conscious opinions and recognizes greater time efficiency.

The Analytical Use of Ideo-Motor ResponsesSubliminal TherapyAs taught by LeCron (1965), Cheek (1994) and Ewin (2006), the use of ideo-motor responses, commonly in the form of finger signals, to perceive communications from the subconscious domain, has proven effective in a great many cases by many different clinicians. LeCron defined the Seven Keys, questions that were of a specific nature, questions that expedited identification of the underlying causes of current problems. The subconscious domain is typically regarded as being unified, and questions are posed in that context. The technique also assumes capabilities of the subconscious domain that are beyond just a memory bank.The ideo-motor approach to treatment lacks the time efficiency of ST because the answers from Centrum are limited to the coded meaning assigned to the fingers, as opposed to the use of a chalkboard or inner voice which avoids that limitation. To be sure, the use of the chalkboard could be incorporated instead of the finger signals to perceive communications; however, the greater difference lies in the concept of engaging extra-conscious abilities to achieve the desired change, as elaborated in the following chapters.

Subconscious Guided TherapySubliminal TherapyAnbar (2008) described an efficient extension of automatic writing while the patient is in trance, utilizing a computer with two keyboards, one for the patient’s subconscious and one for the therapist. On one keyboard the therapist types questions to be answered by the subconscious mind of the patient, which, in turn, is typing on the other keyboard using the fingers of the patient. When using this technique, the patient may be consciously aware of the information on the computer screen but is often unaware of typing his/her contribution.This new and promising technique (SGT) utilizes subconscious abilities for therapeutic purposes, as does ST, but fails to recognize the sub-divided nature of subconscious functioning and the existence of extra-conscious abilities. In Subconscious Guided Therapy, the therapist does not recognize that subconscious influence may be influential in causing problems, assuming instead that the received communications are fully informed and authoritative. ST, on the other hand, makes no such assumptions; the team of therapist and patient investigate and uncover possible influences that are then resolved in a more comprehensive and structured way (see Chapter III). Additionally, ST utilizes extra-conscious abilities that may not have been recognized by the patient, those that Centrum represents. These abilities are resident in everyone, and the rational, logical, pragmatic way in which ST utilizes them sets it apart from other therapeutic techniques.

Ego State TherapySubliminal TherapyAs conceived by Watkins (1993), this technique recognizes the dissociative qualities and characteristics of the subconscious domain and the existence of discrete ‘ego states’. The therapist interacts with these ego states individually to resolve the patient’s issues. The therapist also employs traditional psychotherapy techniques of treatment (hypnotic and otherwise) in interacting with each ego state, as with individual patients using conventional techniques.ST also recognizes the sub-divided nature of the subconscious domain, addresses the individual components and resolves their influences. However, in ST this task is accomplished by Centrum, sometimes without conscious awareness of the work in progress, making possible a far more efficient and thorough resolution of the presenting problem because conscious rational bias is bypassed.

The Inner AdvisorSubliminal TherapyJohn Bresler (1990) conceived this intervention. It is an insight-oriented, hypnotherapeutic technique used to uncover information related to presenting symptoms and assumes the existence of inner wisdom (communicated from an inner advisor). Carl Jung’s (1916) theory of personality supports this inner wisdom concept and this approach is receiving increasing attention in industry literature. The inner advisor is usually represented by an imagined animal; however, it may be in human form.This technique differs from ST in multiple ways, including lack of recognition of a sub-divided subconscious, as well as lack of recognition of abilities such as those exhibited by Centrum. The goal of uncovering causal information is the primary common factor. Additionally, ST makes no assumption that Centrum is wise, as in the case of the Inner Advisor. Rather, Centrum is assumed to be intelligent and to have abilities not available consciously.

Parts TherapySubliminal TherapyJung (1916) proposed the concept of the subconscious domain being made up of multiple ‘parts’. As formalized by Roy Hunter (2005), Parts Therapy reconciles conflicting parts of the subconscious mind by engineering negotiation between the parts, through the therapist, with the objective of resolving the problem.Although the Parts Therapy model recognizes the sub-divided nature of the subconscious domain, the application differs from ST in several ways. Parts Therapy directly and fully involves the clinician in the content of the work as it progresses and does not recognize or utilize the higher level of functioning represented by Centrum. Instead, the ‘wisdom’ obtained from the subconscious is used to guide conscious action. In ST, Centrum is not necessarily accredited with wisdom. Instead, Centrum may have knowledge not available to consciousness, thereby appearing wise; however, Centrum has not accessed the pool of universal knowledge proposed by Jung. Actually, the range of Centrum’s knowledge has not been defined. There are occasional indications during therapy sessions that Centrum has some sort of unexpected awareness of instinctual and functional processes; however, no research into this domain has been accomplished.

PsychosynthesisSubliminal TherapyAssagioli (1965) conceived Psychosynthesis as an essential way of thinking about psychotherapy, a way that can embrace many specific techniques and modes. The aim of Psychosynthesis is generalized, but primarily seeks to develop the whole personality. This way of thinking involves cognitive process with full acknowledgment and development of the concept of subconscious functioning.Beyond the lack of recognition of the higher level of functioning represented by Centrum, the most basic difference lies in the goals of treatment. ST focuses on specific problems, while the goal of Psychosynthesis is generalized. Also, ST is discretely organized and applied in a logical series of steps, while Psychosynthesis is broadly applied in a general way.

Voice DialogueSubliminal TherapyConceived by Hal and Sidra Stone in the late 1960s, and reaching its peak of popularity years later (Stone & Winkelman, 1989), as well as being allied to Ego State Therapy and Parts Therapy, this approach recognizes the existence of a multitude of ‘selves’ that collectively constitute our non-physical presentation, and understanding these selves as separate personalities.In ST, the ‘parts’ of the subconscious mind are not understood as developed personalities. Rather, the individual parts are consistently limited in their awareness of the current life situation, instead functioning according to the influences present at the time of their conception. Also, Voice Dialogue does not acknowledge the existence or utilization of the higher level of intellectual functioning represented by Centrum.

PSYCH-KSubliminal TherapyIn his book, The Missing Peace In Your Life!, Williams (2008) discusses an organization of the brain that more closely parallels ST than other therapies. He defines mental functioning as being conscious, subconscious and superconscious and describes the superconscious in ways similar to the way Centrum is described in ST. In PSYCH-K, the communication device of ‘muscle testing’ is employed to receive communications from the superconscious.PSYCH-K does not envision the subconscious domain as being subdivided, as in ST. Nor does it recognize the capacities of extra-consciousness in identifying and resolving the causes of problems. In PSYCH-K, communication from subconsciousness to the therapist is limited to muscle testing, whereas in ST communication is verbal and flexible, possibly including any or all of the senses.

The strength of Subliminal Therapy lies in its rational structure and clarity in format and execution. It is a technique that makes it possible to actually resolve/eliminate/cure a problem, not just treat its symptoms. Moreover, ST works best when the clinician avoids assumptions regarding the etiology of the presenting problem, relying instead on the patient’s extra-conscious ability to identify and to resolve the cause of problems, doing so with minimum involvement in the content of the information processed. Furthermore, the most conspicuous difference between Subliminal Therapy and the other techniques reviewed is the involvement of Centrum in the process of treatment.

Appropriate Treatment Applications

Subliminal Therapy is the treatment of choice for a wide variety of disorders that are psychogenic, and it is a valuable aid in the adjunctive treatment of many non-psychogenic disorders, especially in cases where emotion is an exacerbating influence. Moreover, in concert with psychosomatic research, I have come to believe a significant number of disorders that have classically been considered solely organic in etiology may in fact be psychogenic. Examples include Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s disease and asthma, disorders in which the mechanism of the problems is the action of smooth muscle, controlled in turn by subconscious processes, which in turn is influenced by emotion.

Practitioners commonly acknowledge that emotions produce physical reactions in the body; such reactions include changes in heart rate, blood pressure, blood chemistry, respiration, digestion and glandular function, as well as smooth and skeletal muscle tension. If the physiological reactions to a negative emotion such as fear were to continue in a protracted state over time, a clinician might diagnose the condition as an illness or disease without recognition of its true etiology.

Psychological Disorders

In ST, depression, anxiety, anger, grief and guilt are understood as symptoms of deeper problems, a concept at odds with the APA Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). Using ST, I have successfully treated all of the disorders listed in the DSM under the heading Anxiety, in addition to depression, addictions, dissociation, obsessions, compulsions and severe grief.

Note: In this book, I define “successfully treated” as meaning either total remission of symptoms, which is usually the case, or reduction in severity of the symptoms by at least 80 percent, both as reported by the patient. Symptom status is currently being reported by the patient by means of a brief, written inventory administered at the initial interview, immediately following treatment, and subsequently by follow-up inventories.

Physical Disorders of Psychogenic Origin

By using ST, I have successfully treated asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, vaginismus, erectile dysfunction, ulcers, psoriasis, migraine and tension headaches, many chronic and acute pain situations (notably low back pain), emesis associated with early pregnancy and some allergic reactions (e.g., to animals, other persons and situations).

All of these disorders are either psychogenic or exacerbated by psychological factors, and therefore all can be treated by psychological approaches. As a matter of safety of the patient, as well as legal protection for the therapist, the care of a physician is usually indicated; however, resolution of the psychogenic elements responsible for the presenting symptoms will consistently be required for full recovery. Those elements are products of conditioning, and resolution must involve reconditioning. Since reconditioning is the hallmark of intervention by ST, the use of ST is advocated.

Physical Disorders of Non-Psychogenic Origin

By using ST, I have successfully guided patients to relieve chronic and acute pain resulting from physical trauma, protracted pain without diagnosed physical cause, psychological components of chemical addictions and dyspepsia.

Regardless of their etiology, physical disorders can result in emotional reactions. If these emotional reactions have the consequence of inner tension, that tension may inhibit recovery in one or more ways. Possible examples include smooth muscle occlusion of arteries that restrict the flow of healing blood, an imbalance of blood chemistry inhibiting functioning of the immune system and the exacerbation of pain. Thus, psychological intervention can accelerate healing, ease discomfort and reduce the incidence of related disorders that are consequences of life experiences. ST has demonstrated extraordinary effectiveness in doing so.

Chapter II

Theory and Assumptions

In this chapter, I present the conceptual framework of Subliminal Therapy and the essential assumptions made in its derivation.

Subliminal Therapy is a technique in which subconscious cognitive abilities are accessed and utilized, i.e., abilities that are commonly not recognized consciously. By using this technique, the clinician can identify causal aspects of problems. Once identified, these problems can be resolved by considering their causes in the light of present, more mature and informed knowledge, as opposed to the limited knowledge and understanding in effect at the time when the causal influence began. The therapist utilizes the patient’s present, mature understanding to alter or eliminate the influence of the original experience, by reconditioning by relearning, reframing or simply by reaching a different understanding about the cause.

The Underlying Principles of Subliminal Therapy

The following principles comprise the underpinnings of ST and are expanded upon in the following sections. These principles are rooted in the assumption that our mental processes occur in three domains: conscious, subconscious and extra-conscious.

Our lives are largely determined by conditioning from experiences in life, whether from Pavlovian or operant conditioning. Values, beliefs and behaviors are all learned and can be relearned in a different way with different consequences provided certain conditions are met. Change will not happen unless these conditions are met: –– We must be aware that it is possible to change conditioning.–– We must know how to accomplish the change. –– We must be motivated to do so.We have conscious awareness of only a very small part of our total mental functioning. Most of our mental capacity, as well as our mental functioning, takes place without conscious awareness.We possess a higher order of intelligence than we possess in the conscious domain, even though we are seldom taught how to recognize or to utilize it.Our subconscious domain is not a unified whole. Rather, it is fragmented, consisting of a great many parts – parts that represent the influences from past experiences. For example, when we learn a new skill, something is there now (in our mind) that was not there before. That something is referred to in ST as a ‘part’. In similar form, if someone learns to fear spiders, that fear is represented by another newly formed part of the mind. Thus, a part may represent a skill, value, limitation or any other influence that was learned.These parts of the subconscious domain are the products of life experiences and may continue to exert the influence of those past experiences, even though to do so may be maladaptive and detrimental to the welfare of the person.We can influence (as opposed to command) these subconscious parts in desired ways by taking the following steps: –– Recognize their existence. –– Establish communication with them. –– Educate them about current reality, needs and values, thereby persuading them to exert their influence in currently appropriate ways.Our higher-level mental capability, which for convenience I call Centrum, is in a position to communicate with, and to educate and influence, other subconscious parts. In utilizing these innate capacities, this higher-level ability is enlisted to assist in accomplishing consciously desired change.

The Assumptions of Subliminal Therapy

The superstructure of ST rests on four assumptions:

Intelligent, subconscious capability exists.The subconscious domain can communicate with the conscious mind in identifiable ways.The subconscious domain consists largely of subsystems, (parts) which may function autonomously.There is an entity that may best be described as a ‘higher intelligence’ – an entity that is not well defined, yet is easily authenticated subjectively. This entity, which I have named Centrum, is described in Chapter I.

The First Assumption

Subconscious intelligence has been recognized by Cheek (1994), Erickson (1989a), Ewin (2006) and Watkins (1993) among many others:

It is very important for a person to know their subconscious is smarter than they are. There is greater wealth of stored material in the subconscious. We know the subconscious can do things, and it is important to assure your patient that it can. They have to be willing to let their subconscious do things and not depend so much on their conscious mind. This is a great aid to their functioning. (Erickson & Rossi, 1976, p. 346)