Ok, so, I’m not normally given over to advertising other folks websites, but in this case I’ll make an exception: http://www.petsae.com/

It’s been a while since I made a posting and I thought it about time to let anyone who’s interested know just what I’ve been thinking about of late. The title of this posting is perhaps self explanatory, but for those seeking further clarification I shall elucidate:

Part 1: The past is simply that – the past. What benefit do we glean from dwelling on events past and the seemingly unchangeable? For a hypnotherapist who may from time to time use time-based and free floating regression techniques as part of the therapeutic process past events are indeed of critical importance, but just how important is the analysis of past events to the future wellbeing of the patient? Analysis does and should have a role to place, regression and revivification have their roles to play also, but what comes next? What is the role of the hypnotherapist, and indeed the patient afterwards? Surely, and even after, all the requisite analysis of past events has been done, resources strengthened, ego boosted, confidence built, the question remains – what now?

Perhaps any analysis of the past is simply a building block for an understanding of the present, the future even, but not a keystone. Existentialist models define four givens as being Death, Freedom (and responsibility), Isolation, and Meaninglessness. The question for the therapist is how do these givens relate to the being of the patient? Might it be better to look, not at how the patient comprehends past events, but how the patient, perceives him or herself in the context of the externalised world around them (not the internalised and therefore constructed world of the individual).

Existentialist modeling postulates the notion that the individual is contextualised at any given time as being in relation to physical, psychological, social or spiritual modalities, and of-course interwoven relationships between each. From a therapeutic standpoint might it not be better to look with the patient at their place in the here and now, and where they want to be in a positive future taking into consideration the patients relationship with the dimensions above?

In simpler terms the patient is more than simply a product of the past, we are all products of the now, its the interpretation that becomes key.

Well, last night I presented a short talk (about 50 minutes) on Internet Marketing to the Glasgow Therapists group down at the Esca restaurant in Glasgow’s Trongate. Relatively small turnout but a great thanks to both the organisers and those who did turn up. Overall a very satisfying evening followed by a highly informative talk by Jane Forrest on the benefits of business networking groups.

I’m thinking that perhaps I may, if there’s demand for it, put together on online version of last night’s presentation for those of you interested in promoting yourself online.

Felt like I’d experienced something quite profound doing the ‘magic minute’ – but you’ll need to ask Jane all about that one!

’till next time.

Alan

I’m currently looking into doing a series of podcasts taking the format of interviews with various therapists (mostly hypnotherapy), but some from other fields also. Keep watching this space for details in the not too distant future. Feel free to suggest any questions you’d like me to ask or the subject areas you’d like to see covered.

A D B

OK, so now its time to get real about things. If you haven’t listened to the words of the late great Alan Watts then you have definitely missed out on something important. Listen up: this is wisdom.

Stay tuned for more Alan Watts coming up in the near future.

This is a rather neat demonstration of EMDR by one of my old tutors Bill Frost. Although perhaps not ‘pure’ EMDR in the sense that he does use some electronic aids, the principle is evident. Definitely a very worthwhile technique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u83c0fW_-Bo 

Unfortunately embedding of this video has been disabled by request but its still definitely worth a view.