Past life regression hypnotherapy
In the Prodigy film,
we see Arthur Jacobson (played by Colm Feore), the "therapy specialist" performing a form of past life regression hypnotherapy on Miles.
Arthur tells Miles' mum (Taylor Schilling) "Regression won't work if you're in the room", which is a little strange. Hypnotherapy can
work perfectly well when other people are around. In fact, if we're working with minors, we always request an approved person is present.
That approach would have also made Arther's life a lot easier, as "Edward" started to threaten him.
The regulations, and codes of conduct and ethics we operate under (including CHNC, NCH, BAThH and NSPsy) are there for a good reason!
Arthur then uses a metronome to induce the hypnotic state, which is perhaps a little old school.
Hypnotherapy induction and deepers have become much more advanced since the days everyone had a pocket watch.
But, the approach can work and perhaps sits more easily with expectations of the typical member of the audience.
The overall concept, of allowing the client to drift into a relaxed state of awareness (a hypnotic trance) before
traversing their timeline, is certainly one that can work well for clients. It can help to uncover important memories that may have
been lost from the conscious mind.
Past life regression isn't something we specifically do, however, the subconscious mind often works with metaphors.
So, if the mind goes to thoughts of being another person, as it might also do in a dream, that is something that
tells a useful story and can be used in hypnotherapy.
A similar approach is often used for increasing positive feelings. For example, imagining a person who is totally confident,
then imagining becoming that person. Used with hypnosis, it can help the client to let their subconscious mind know that they
want to be more like that confident person. A great way to create positive change.
