“Parts Therapy” With Hypnosis

Background

Parts therapy is a form of Gestalt Therapy (developed by Laura & Fritz Perls in 1940’s)

“Gestalt Therapy … focuses on insight into gestalts in patients and their relations to the world, and often uses role

playing to aid the resolution of past conflicts.”

GESTALT

A Gestalt has two or more parts that are so integrated together that we perceive them as one object.

A Gestalt is: “An organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts.”

In Parts Therapy, if the Client’s overall psychology is the Gestalt, our aim is to examine the various parts that

make up the Gestalt, in order to bring about a change in the overall Psychological Gestalt.

General Principle Of Parts Therapy

Parts Therapy works on the principle that when we have a problem or conflict it is

because there are different ‘parts’ of us with conflicting ideas or beliefs that we are unable

to resolve.

When we can resolve the conflict between the Parts the overall person (Gestalt) can function

in a more wholistic manner.

It can be a very simple conflict of Parts like this …

Or this …

Or more complicated like this …

Conflicting Parts

When the different parts have opposing or conflicting ideas, we will often feel

confused, stuck or find ourselves swinging from extremes of one type of behaviour to the next as different ‘parts’ of us take over

while others relinquish control.

Conflicting Parts

Or we may become inactive or indecisive, as one part motivates us to take one

particular course of action, but another part has valid reasons for not doing so, and so

we hesitate or procrastinate.

Conflicting Parts

Either way, the usual result is that we (The Gestalt) end up doing something that we don’t want to do, or not doing something

that we do want to do.

Aim Of The Therapy

In Parts Therapy the aim is to identify these parts (of which there may be many) and resolve the conflict(s) so that they can be

integrated into a united ‘whole’.

This is usually carried out in hypnosis, as a form of interactive visualisation, (but can also involve some regression or analysis/

memory work, as well as suggestion).

Parts Therapy & Library Model

In a way each “Part” of a person is representative of a belief system, as in our Library Model.

Different “Parts”

Parts Therapy & Library Model

In a way each “Part” of a person is representative of a belief system, as in our Library Model.

Different “Parts”

Parts Therapy In Practice

1. Initial Chat & Discussion.

Begin with the usual Initial Chat & Discussion to identify the areas that need to be worked on.

(Think of each ‘feeling’ or emotionally driven behaviour that the client talks about as being representative of a ‘Part’ of them).

Parts Therapy In Practice

2. Induction & Deepener.

When you have enough information, guide the client into a relaxed & compliant state of hypnosis using a suitable induction and deepener.

Parts Therapy In Practice

3. Set The Scene

Create a visualisation (remembering to be aware of the sensory modality of the client) where the client is able to invite any “part of them” into a room or space, so you can understand and discuss the situation.

Parts Therapy In Practice

Example Script

“I’d like you to imagine you are in a comfortable room of your own choosing, somewhere where you can invite others for a chat and a discussion. Get a feel for this place. (allow time for client to “get there”)

Now I want you to think about that conflict you feel regards [e.g. your eating and your weight], where it feels that one part of you wants one thing [e.g. to be healthy and exercise], but some other part or parts of you keeps preventing that.

Parts Therapy In Practice

Example Script Continued

“And as you think about those different parts I’d like you to send out a general invitation through the whole of your mind, inviting any part or parts of you that have an opinion on this, to make themselves known and join you in this [room] for a chat.

Make it known that there will be no judgement and you only want to listen and hear what each has to say. So send out a general invitation now”

Parts Therapy In Practice

Example Script Continued

“Take your time, and when you are ready, you can easily speak to me, and let me know whatever you sense or imagine, as any part or parts begin to make themselves known.”

Parts Therapy In Practice

4. Identify The Parts

The next step is to have the client identify any part or parts that come to mind and let you know.

You may have to be encouraging at first, because the mind will often represent these parts in unusual ways …

Parts Therapy In Practice

4. Identify The PartsI have had people say …

“Ugly Monster”, “Shadowy Ghost” “My Kidneys” “My Heart” “Angry and twisted” part, “Small, withdrawn” part. etc.

Parts Therapy In Practice

5. Let The Parts “Speak”

Have the client tell you what each part is there for and what role they seem to play.

How does each part contribute to the “issue” the client is seeking help for?

Parts Therapy In Practice

6. Dig Deeper Into The Individual Parts

Once you have a general feel for the situation, ask the client which part they would like to focus on first.

Allow them to choose - and then allow that “Part” to express itself fully.

Parts Therapy In Practice

7. Act As A Go-Between or Negotiator

Once you have allowed each part to express itself fully, ask questions to initiate a dialogue or communication between parts.

NOTE: You do NOT have to find the solution. Your job is to keep a flow of information and discussion going and encourage each ‘part’ to have its say.

Parts Therapy In Practice

8. Encourage Full Expression & Follow The Feeling

Encourage a full and complete expression of each part, using clean language questions.

As the client expresses the thoughts and beliefs of each part, very often spontaneous regression will occur and if it does just go with it - but bear in mind the “Parts” scenario.sx

Parts Therapy In Practice

9. Bring In Other Parts

As each “part” expresses thoughts beliefs and ideas, bring in other parts to discover what this means to them to what their opinion may be.

Very often, some parts will change as understanding of other parts is revealed.

Parts Therapy In Practice

10. Keep Going Until You Have Resolution - But Try And Avoid Intellectualisation

As you progress through, the process may come to a natural conclusion and the various parts can then go on their way - and the “Gestalt” then updates.

But if it is too intellectual - it may not have a lasting change - go for emotive content where possible.

Parts Therapy In Practice

General

Wherever the session goes to, keep all the parts in mind to make sure each get an opportunity to ‘voice’ their opinion.

Very often the client will come to their own resolution. Sometimes you may have to offer help - again with well placed questions or helping them ‘express the unexpressed’.

Ideally, by the end all parts are aligned and in agreement - but that is not always the case, as you will discover - and you may have to continue next time.

Parts Therapy In Practice

Questions