What is Regression therapy
The mind is its own place. If we are happy or unhappy, if it is sharp or dull, bright or dark inside us, regression is the straight way inside. Into the recesses and dark places of our mind. Into the roots of depression and anxiety. But also to forgotten or hidden treasures inside. Into the wells of intuition and creativity. And though regression is all about the mind, we find that one of the most reliable guides is our body. In regression we go from mind to body and from body to mind. Regression is reliving former experiences that seemed forgotten or repressed. Complaints like fears, depressions, relationship problems and sexual problems have causes. Even illnesses have causes apart from bacteria or viruses. Also problematic traits like superiority, or being a control freak, or negative convictions like it’s all my fault, have been caused in the past. The same is true for many bodily complaints. Those causes we often forgot. The forgotten life experiences often contained emotional wounds that never healed completely, or triggered stubborn, half-conscious beliefs in our mind. Such beliefs only do change when we understand how they started and why we held on to them. Reliving with understanding eases release of those convictions. After people found and relived those undigested experiences, the emotions discharge and clients feel and understand how their present complaints were connected to the past experiences and regain mental health.
Regression therapists retrieve not only forgotten experiences to deactivate problematic repercussions, but also to reactivate positive feelings, good memories and talents that have been lost.
Results of regression therapy
The results of regression therapy, like of most psychotherapy, are:
- Mental results: mental health, clear-mindedness, self-knowledge, understanding people, liberation from mental prisons and tunnel views or preconceived ideas;
- Emotional results: inner calm, self-acceptance and self-reliance, restoring empathy and positive emotions (like being able to enjoy), expressing emotions (like anger and sadness);
- Bodily results: disappearance of tensions and complaints, psychosomatic problems like low energy, low resistance, hypersensitivity, and in general complaints without medical explanation.
Regression therapy is generally short therapy, though the sessions are longer and more intensive than is usual in psychotherapy. Denys Kelsey, who could compare the therapy with his previous work as a psychiatrist and to the work of his colleagues, said, “In a maximum of twelve hours of regression therapy, I can accomplish what will take a psychoanalyst three years.”
Most therapists combine working in past lives with other therapies, like NLP, hypnotherapy (including Ericksonian hypnotherapy), Gestalt and Inner Child work. Many therapists also do regression therapy with children, from about eight years of age. The main motives are childhood fears and phobias. Other motives are bed-wetting, dyslexia, depression, anger and hyperactivity. Some work with even younger children, from the time they begin to speak.
The international professional association EARTh has produced two movies about regression therapy. Tasso-teachers have contributed to them. The movies are in English, but subtitled in many languages: Why Regression Therapy: the view of the experienced en Discovering Regression Therapy: a Love Story.