Subliminal Therapya.k.a. The Yagerian Method

A New Paradigm for Psychotherapy

SyllabusLocation Dates

A three-day training in the clinical use of Subliminal Therapy

promoted by

Subliminal Therapy Institute, Inc. www.stii.us Copyright 2014

Table of Contents

Course Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Course Instructor . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Learning Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . .

Intermediate Goals for Student Accomplishment . . . .

Course Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Concept of Subliminal Therapy . . . . . . . .

The Origin of Subliminal Therapy . . . . . . . . .

Application Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Steps of Applying Subliminal Therapy . . . . . . . .

Treating Addictions With Subliminal Therapy . . . . .

Treating Depression With Subliminal Therapy . . . . .

Treating Chronic Pain . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Treating Chronic Pain Using Hypnotic Phenomena . . .

Treating Chronic Pain Using Subliminal Therapy . . . .

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Clinical Success Rates of Subliminal Therapy . . . . .

Yager Subjective Effects Inventory (YSEI) . . . . . .

Certification in Subliminal Therapy . . . . . . . .

Introduction to Subliminal Therapy Flow Charts . . . .

Verbal content for the Steps of the Flow Chart . . . .

Website Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Recommended Reading . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Course Description

This course is designed to introduce Subliminal Therapy’s wide range of applications in clinical practice. Emphasis will be on conceptual understanding and the practical application of ouruniversally present, yet generally unrecognized, higher level of intelligence.

The course consists of lectures and demonstrations of the principles of Subliminal Therapy, employing volunteers from the class and elsewhere as subjects who present real-life problems.

Attendees will learn to use the power of the extra-conscious mind to influence outcomes and bring about an exciting new dimension of gratification in helping people achieve relief from negative influence that is the consequence of past experience.

Course InstructorEdwin K. Yager, Ph.D. Dr, Yager holds appointment as Clinical Professor in the Department of

Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego. In addition, he maintains a private practice in San Diego in which he employs Subliminal Therapy and the hypnotic principles he teaches. He has trained hundreds of professionals in the clinical use of Subliminal Therapy and hypnosis, worldwide.

Learning Objectives:At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Articulate a pragmatic understanding of the underlying theory and application of Subliminal Therapy.

2. Articulate the concepts and assumptions of Subliminal Therapy.

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3. Determine the appropriateness of the use of Subliminal Therapy in specific clinical situations.

4. Establish objective communications with the extra-conscious domain of the patient’s mind and be able to articulate the essentials of utilizing that communication to uncover and resolve the causes of psychogenic problems.

Intermediate Goals for Attendee Accomplishment By the end of Day 1, you should be able to:

Comfortably articulate the concepts and theory of ST. Formulate those concepts and that theory in words that are comprehendible to a person

who has a “concrete” mentality. Achieve personal conviction of the validity of the concepts and theory of ST.

By the end of Day 2, you should be able to: Establish communication with another person’s Centrum. Set the stage for using ST when meeting a new patient. Guide and assist the patient to consciously define the goal(s) to be accomplished.

By the end of Day 3, you should be able to: Articulate the psychodynamic theory of ST. Define and be able to articulate solutions to the more common problems in applying ST. Effectively guide a patient in resolving presenting problems of a non-complex nature.

Course Schedule

AM PM

Day One Introductions Theory and Assumptions of Subliminal Therapy The Subliminal Therapy Model of the Mind Q & A

The Concept of Subliminal Therapy Demonstration of the Use of Subliminal Therapy Discussion of the Demonstration Q & A

Day Two Introducing Centrum Introducing Subliminal Therapy to the

patient Establishing Communications With

Centrum Validating that Communication Participant Paired Practice The Guiding Rule Demonstration of Subliminal Therapy Discussion of the Demonstration

Applying Subliminal Therapy Subliminal Therapy protocol Setting the Stage to Use Subliminal Therapy Defining and Refining the Goal of Therapy Uncovering the Subconscious Cause/Roots Reframing the Uncovered Information Test Completion of the Work When

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Q & A Possible Participant Paired Practice Demonstration of Subliminal Therapy Discussion of the Demonstration Q & A

Day Three Areas of application of Subliminal Therapy Treating psychological/emotional problems Treating psychogenic physical disorders Treating the emotional overlay of non- psychogenic, physical problems Demonstration of Subliminal Therapy Discussion of the Demonstration Q & A

Typically encountered problems in the application of Subliminal Therapy Interactive discussion of possible solutions to those problems Effectiveness Research Data Collection and Processing Results and Conclusions Certification in Subliminal Therapy Demonstration of Subliminal Therapy Discussion of the Demonstration Review of the course with Q & A.

The Concept of Subliminal Therapy

Theory underlying Subliminal Therapy (ST) assumes that people are conditioned by their experiences in life, usually without conscious recognition that it is happening, and that such conditioning can result in both physical and mental disorders. Thus, using ST is appropriate when the problem is the consequence of experiences, experiences that are stored in the person’s mind at a subconscious level, below conscious awareness. Migraine headaches, hay fever, bronchial asthma, PTSD, anxiety, addictions, compulsions, obsessions and many sexual problems are all examples of such disorders.

People rarely know the actual cause of the problems they experience, and so are unable to resolve them by rational, conscious thinking. By engaging extra-conscious abilities, Subliminal Therapy enables a person to identify and resolve the actual cause/s – as opposed to what the person might initially believe to be the cause of the problem. Tapping into a person’s higher level of mental abilities facilitates both the identification of the cause and its resolution, doing so with extraordinary efficiency.

During the process of ST, the patient’s higher level of mental abilities is engaged to do the work of therapy, with the therapist acting as the guide, and with the person consciously passive, even though consciously aware of the process. Problem resolution takes place as the clinician poses a logical sequence of questions and requests, addressed to the patient’s higher level of functioning. Communications from that higher level domain are consciously perceived by the patient, and then verbally relayed to the therapist. Through this communication, the patient’s higher level of functioning is employed to identify and resolve the actual cause/s of the presenting problem. When the actual cause is resolved, the problem ceases to exist.

The mechanism of change as ST is employed is re-conditioning. Previously held, dysfunctional, subconscious beliefs and values are changed. Subconscious, false understandings and convictions are

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exposed and corrected by exposure to the person’s more mature knowledge and judgment. These changes happen by action of the person’s higher level of mental abilities, with the person’s conscious involvement limited to one role: providing communication. This feature, bypassing the limitations and rationalizations of consciousness by engaging extra-conscious abilities, is the only truly unique feature of ST. Yet, that difference is truly profound.

Once the true causes have been identified, final resolution of the problem can be accomplished with the person consciously involved in the process; however, resolution is often accomplished without conscious involvement. The work of therapy is typically completed in 3-to-5 hours.

Subliminal Therapy is a psychodynamic-based approach to treating mental disorders, as well as psychogenic physical illness. It is psychotherapy in which the patient is guided to employ mental abilities that are universal to everyone, yet commonly unrecognized. In application, the patient is guided to engage their own mental abilities to achieve desired change.

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The Origin of Subliminal TherapyA Personal Statement

My first copyrighted paper on Subliminal Therapy is dated in 1975. Conception must therefore have occurred in 1974 when I began transitioning from my career in engineering into the field of mental health. I had begun to seriously study and teach clinical hypnosis; however, I had not yet begun my formal training in psychology.

There is a common belief that nothing is truly new, that all knowledge evolves from earlier knowledge. It’s a well-founded argument that I generally endorse, but it doesn’t always fit. At the time of conception, I had no knowledge of psychology from which ST could have evolved. I was an engineer. My way of thinking about the world was (and still is) pragmatic, and thoughts about psychic issues had only recently begun to occur. I began to wonder about how we function mentally, about how to explain the frequent presence of contradictions between conscious desire and conscious experience. I concluded we must have a level of superior intelligence that is not conscious, a level of abilities not recognized consciously. With the aid of hypnotic trance, I was able to establish meaningful communication with that domain in the minds’ of my patients and ST evolved as I explored and tested possibilities of the pragmatic use of the abilities of that extra-conscious domain.

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Application Notes

Clinicians must accomplish several, clearly definable, steps before being proficientin using Subliminal Therapy clinically:

Comprehend and personally embrace the philosophy that underlies ST, including the concept of conditioning as the root of disorders and the concept of the existence and possible utilization of extra-conscious mental abilities.

Embrace the reality that ST involves a different way of thinking about therapy than is currently being taught. In particular, abandon the principle that the clinician must necessarily be involved in the content of the issues being addressed by the patient.

Embrace the reality that the patient is not aware of or does not consciously understand the actual cause/s of the psychogenic problems presented, that the patient’s conscious beliefs and opinions must be prevented from interfering with the treatment.

These simple guidelines must be employed:

Guide Centrum - not the patient’s conscious mind – to do the work of therapy. Your primary challenge will be to identify, and so ignore, communications that are expressions of conscious opinion, presented as being communications from Centrum.

Employ a systematic, rational protocol in which every step taken is bases on preceding steps. As you begin your use of ST, use the Flow Charts as presented in the text book Subliminal

Therapy: Using the Mind to Heal (and in other places) as a guide. As time and experience accumulate, you will likely begin to use your own words, but those word in the Flow Charts are good words and you may find that you continue to use them.

Pay attention to your personal insights; give each consideration. They may be coming from your Centrum.

The Steps of Applying Subliminal Therapy

1. Educate the patient about the principles and assumptions of ST in a language the patient can comprehend.

If the patient is expected to cooperate with the protocol of ST, he or she must have some comprehension of the concept and understand what is expected of him or her. For many people, the clinician must present the abstract concepts of ST to the patient in concrete ways if they are to understand. It is, after all, a really different way of thinking about how we think.

2. Establish communications with Centrum.If you are to guide Centrum, you must be able to communicate with Centrum. While the chalkboard is the most expedient way for Centrum to communicate, when that seems not possible, resort to another way. Examples of possible ways include direct, verbal communication, an inner voice, ideo-motor responses, communicating by computer, automatic writing, or, especially in the case of children, allow the patient to select something/someone to represent Centrum (such as an animal or other figure).

Under all conditions, it is essential that you be able to differentiate between actual communications from Centrum and expressions of conscious opinion expressed as

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communications from Centrum. This is your primary challenge as the clinician and will require you to be sensitive to words and the way they are expressed, body language and your use of insight.

3. Ensure that Centrum is disposed to support the conscious goal.Although not common, occasionally Centrum has ideas that oppose the patient’s conscious ideas. If that is the case, Centrum must be persuaded to the patient’s way of thinking and values, otherwise nothing will change.

Your key to success is that Centrum is, in the final analysis, affirmatively disposed to the welfare of the patient, your task is to engineer the correction of misunderstandings between Centrum and the patient’s conscious mind. It may seem incongruous to you that there could be a lack of communication within a person’s mind, yet this is common reality; accommodate that reality and use it!

4. Ensure that Centrum understands and endorses the concepts of ST.Assume that Centrum is intelligent – at least to the extent of being capable of learning new things. Just as the patient must consciously comprehend the protocol to be able to cooperate, so Centrum must be informed. Your task is to ensure that happens.

5. Guide Centrum to do the work of therapy by;o Investigating the history of the etiology of the presenting problem.o Identifying the parts of the mind that are causing the problem.o Establish communication with those parts –one at a time – and re-condition by

education.o If appropriate and advisable, ensure full conscious understanding to the work

completed.o Search to identify remaining, yet to be identified parts and resolve them by education.o Repeat the “search and resolve” sequence until no problematic parts remain.o Ensure conscious understanding of all consciously desired, recovered material.

The Guiding RuleAnytime I preface a question with the name “Centrum,”

the next words you speak to me will be the words Centrum has written on your chalkboard.

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Treating Addictions with Subliminal Therapy

People speak of being addicted to street drugs and cigarettes, and express concern about becoming addicted to medications. People also speak of being addicted to a behavior such as gambling, and of

being addicted to another person. These all accurately define “addiction” in that they refer to compulsions over which there is little or no conscious control.

The theory of addiction I propose evolved in the course of applying Subliminal Therapy (ST) in many cases of addiction - both drug and non-drug addictions - during the past 35 years in my private practice as a psychotherapist. Unfortunately, in the early years I did this work without documenting its results. While I am subjectively confident the success rate in eliminating the addictions was uniquely high, I lack evidence to support that conclusion. However, in recent years I have documented the success rates of my work, and this data confirms the high success rates I had experienced. Nevertheless, since there are too few cases to declare validation of the theory, what I propose here is still “theory.”

The theory is quite simple: “All addictions are essentially mental disorders; therefore, elimination of the addiction will require psychological intervention, not just medical management of symptoms.”

It might seem I have ignored the profound influence of withdrawal in motivating the continued use of a drug. My response is to point out that, in the case of drug addiction, while withdrawal is a physiological process, it is mentally perceived. Without perception, there would be no awareness of withdrawal; therefore, even this aspect of addiction is essentially mental, and is clearly a disorder. Moreover, since perception can be altered by hypnotic technique, the distress of withdrawal can thus be eased while the essential cause of the addiction is resolved using ST.

Drug/Chemical Addiction With respect to withdrawal, assuming abstinence from a drug, its chemical influence yields its power over time as the chemical is metabolized by the body; the trauma of withdrawal fades with time. In illustration, in the case of tobacco smoke, the chemical elements are metabolized in about a week; in the case of heroin, months-to-years may be required.

Psychological compulsion is the primary force that propels addictive behavior and this force can last for a lifetime.

Compulsions are unconsciously rooted in classic conditioned response. In the case of drug addiction, that conditioning may be rooted in fear of the consequence of not using the drug. In all events, compulsions are “learned,” they are the consequence of conditioning from life experiences. That being true, “re-conditioning” becomes the cure for addiction. Since re-conditioning is the essential feature of ST, ST is the preferred treatment for addiction.

A review of the cases I have treated affirms that the major component of drug addiction is the compulsion to abuse, and therefore psychological intervention – not just medical treatment – is essential if the addiction is to be successfully eliminated. This compulsive component was “the elephant in the room” in all of the cases reviewed. In each case the compulsion was found to be the consequence of conditioning, conditioning that occurred during the course of life-experiences.

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Non-Chemical Addiction Addictions to behaviors, people, gambling, exercise, etc., share the element of compulsion with drug additions; they are not able to not experience the drive again and again and again. They are not able to not think about the experience; an obsessive element has crept in.

Another factor held in common with drug additions is that the person who is non-chemically addicted does not know the actual psychological cause/s of their addiction. Our innate need for explanations for things that happen can prompt the person to rationalize explanations for being addicted, and such explanations are plentifully offered in my practice, but they are not found to be accurate when explored. Once the actual cause is uncovered, patients are consistently surprised to learn what it is.

As in treating all psychogenic disorders, conscious belief in a fabricated cause of the addiction must be discounted. In using ST, it must be ignored. Conscious opinion of the cause must be set aside to permit the protocol to flow as it must. The greatest single challenge in employing ST lies in differentiating between expressed conscious opinion and the information communicated from the extra-conscious domain of the patient; inaccurate, conscious opinions must be identified to be set aside.

When treating someone who is immersed in the distress of withdrawal, that distress must be relieved before psychological intervention is possible. At least to some extent, the distress will fade with abstinence from the chemical; however, relief can be accelerated by medication and/or by hypnotic techniques. Nevertheless, relief must be achieved to the extent that the person can function intellectually.Once relief is achieved, assuming the person is consciously motivated to eliminate the addiction, the protocol for treating addiction by ST is the same as for treating other psychogenic disorders.

A highly important aspect of treatment of drug addictions is to follow the patient for at least the duration of the metabolism of the addicting chemical; failure to do so invites relapse.

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Treating Depression With Subliminal Therapy

Depression is not a disorder in and of itself; it is a reaction to other problems.Successful treatment of depression requires resolution or reframing of those problems.

As viewed by the medical model, depression is a consequence of chemical imbalance within the brain. As viewed by the model of Subliminal Therapy (ST), depression is the cause of the chemical imbalance.

Depression manifests in many ways, not all of which are obvious. The symptoms may be physiological: disturbed sleep, loss of appetite or libido. Gastrointestinal distress or loss of energy may be present. Immune function may be impaired, leading to physical illness. The first symptoms may be irritability, malaise or even manic behavior. Also, absent significant correction of the life situation or proactive intervention, symptoms are apt to gain intensity over time, and possibly multiply as well.

Sad things happen to all people. That’s part of the game of life. Among other causes of depression, there is a natural reaction to sad experiences, which normally recedes with time and adaptation. Clinical depression happens when it doesn’t recede, when the sad condition continues, possibly exacerbated by other sad things that happen. Depression compromises reason and perspective, and can also compound the depression itself by unrealistically sensitizing the sufferer to minor sad things that otherwise would not be perceived. Insidiously, this happens without conscious awareness that it is happening, precluding conscious defense, and precluding conscious repair of the essential cause because the cause is not known.

A diagnosis of depression is made when a combination of predefined symptoms are present, and there are no guides or limits to the selection from the list of possible symptoms. Unlike anxiety, obsessions, phobias etc. - that have clearly defined and required patterns of symptoms - depression is a “catch all” diagnosis that has no rigid definition. For example, if a person is conditioned to be anxious by one experience, conditioned to have insomnia a year later in another experience, and conditioned to feel malaise in a third experience, that combination of entirely separately created symptoms might be diagnosed as depression. And this could be true even though no other symptoms of depression were present during any of the conditioning experiences. The Beck Depression Inventory is a frequently used measure of the level of depression, and is simply a listing of possible symptoms with levels of significance in each case. The final score on the Beck is a total of these scores without regard to any specific pattern or selection of the symptoms.

Treatment of depression by ST involves addressing the specific causes of depression, rather than addressing “depression” as an entity. In the protocol of ST, when the apparent causes have been individually identified and resolved, an inner search is conducted to identify any remaining, unrecognized yet contributing influences, which are then also resolved. When all contributing causes have been resolved, depression is no longer apparent.

Actually, the cure for depression is quite simple: Eliminating the cause, or changing the person’s perspective of the cause, eliminates the effect of the cause. In either case, one must know what the cause is, and therein lies the problem. In almost all cases, the patient has not consciously recognized the actual causes/s, and so is unable to address them.

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The patient may have conscious knowledge of some aspect of the cause, which may be seen as the cause, without fully understanding its consequence. However, even the knowledge that is conscious has probably never been subjected to rational evaluation, which would relieve the depression to some extent. In short, barring identification of the true cause/s, the patient is trapped and can only mask the depression with medication or hypnotic techniques. In either case only temporary relief is likely; continuing, repeated reinforcement is required. Eliminating depression by eliminating the cause is a far better road to travel. That road is the road of Subliminal Therapy.

If the assumption of psychogenesis of depression is accurate – that the depression is the consequence of conditioning from life experiences – reconditioning must be possible. This is true because we are intelligent creatures, capable of learning. Conditioning comes from learning, and we are capable of relearning. Given new information, we are capable of understanding, in a different way, what we once understood on the basis of more limited information. It is by this means that we grow intellectually. It is also by this means that using ST provides the opportunity for reconditioning. As new information is uncovered and considered in the light of current knowledge, understanding changes, resulting in a different consequence. As previously unrecognized influences from past experiences are uncovered and reframed in the light of current knowledge and objective reason, the depression ceases.

Consider the option of changing the person's perspective of the cause: Just as in eliminating the cause, the true cause must be uncovered and its influence resolved. Nevertheless, in some cases, at least some causes are known consciously. It might be the loss of a loved one or other obvious event that has resulted in exaggerated and/or prolonged distress. It could be guilt for an omission or a related act that is regretted. The person may recognize that the depression is dysfunctional and without purpose, yet not be cognizant of the reason it is as it is. Straightforward, rational reframing of known information may suffice to resolve the depression if the causes are accurately known. Nevertheless, it is wise to continue to use ST, probing for unrecognized influences until all have been resolved.

In some cases, depression can be so severe that psychological treatment is not possible. In severe depression, rational thought may not be possible, rendering psychotherapy impossible. In these cases, reducing the intensity of the depression is mandated if psychotherapy is to take place, and reduction may require medication, or in the extreme by electroconvulsive treatment. Hypnotic reduction of severe depression is compromised by the person’s inability to think clearly.

Bi-Polar Disorder (BP) is characterized by alternating cycles of depression and mania. There is compelling evidence of familial correlation and common belief that it is a genetic malady. There are devastating consequences and its incidence is on the order of 4%, fairly consistent in all cultures. The actual etiology of BP has not yet been defined; however, few arguments favor psychogenesis. The presence of at least genetic predisposition to BP is strongly apparent. One plausible theory holds that the depressive component is a psychogenic consequence of the trauma of the mania (which is not psychogenic) and must therefore be amenable to psychotherapy.

Regardless of theory, the depressive component of the BP cycle can at least be moderated by psychotherapy, especially by ST, and in many cases the manic episodes can be moderated by direct hypnotic suggestion in compliant patients. Meanwhile, there are at least modestly effective medications for the management of BP symptoms, albeit with unfortunate side effects.

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Treating Chronic Pain

Introductory Concepts One’s values, beliefs, responses, behaviors and reaction to stimuli all develop as a consequence of conditioning from life experiences and chronic pain can represent such a conditioned response. The concept of chronic pain developed here is psychological in nature and not supportive of current pain theory, which cannot fully explain either the cause or elimination of physical pain. The conclusions reached here are contrary to conventional theory; still, they attempt to explain experience, rather than relying on textbook physiology.

Our mental capacities include the ability to perceive pain - and to not perceive it; that is, to be consciously unaware of a stimulus that would be expected to cause pain. Given that everyone has the mental capacity to not perceive pain, why not engage it to avoid pain in all situations? The answer lies in the certainty that pain is needed for survival. In one respect or another, pain serves a purpose. Pain can be protective, stimulating the person to seek needed medical attention, or prompting avoidance of risky behavior. And yet, pain may be present in other situations in which it does not have apparent purpose or identifiable cause. Patients may not recognize hidden benefits of pain, and the consequence in some situations may be a chronic, persistent state of pain, leading to suffering and disability.

Pain is often considered to be an exclusively biological process; however, theories of pain based on physiology are not adequate to explain phantom limb pain, the elimination of pain by hypnotic suggestion, or the fact that surgical severing of nerves does not necessarily relieve pain. Pain may continue to be experienced long after an injury, without evident purpose or cause. Moreover, pain may be felt at an elevated level of intensity that is inconsistent with the severity of the physical stimulus.

Treating chronic pain psychologically requires a means to go beyond the patient’s limited conscious understanding of its cause; subconscious influence must be identified. Insight regarding the cause may serve that purpose, and yet insight alone is not sufficient; the insight must be integrated and resolved within the subconscious domain of the patient’s mind for protracted relief to occur.

Instances of chronic pain that is falsely claimed for economic gain, or for other consciously known reasons, are not addressed here.

Perception of Pain Humans “perceive” things through the senses, and at least to some extent the option exists to consciously pay attention - or not - to perceptions. War stories are replete with examples of acts of heroism in the presence of serious injury; in entertainment hypnosis subjects may be guided to perceive a chicken on their head, or perceive the audience to be absent. Clinically, hypnotically-guided absence of perception of pain is also possible; childbirth and surgery with hypnosis as the sole anesthetic are common examples. Conscious perception can be dramatically altered by hypnotic suggestion, as well as by emotion.

Perception varies over time, circumstance and with emotion, sometimes modified by factors that seem unrelated to the stimulus. Persistent pain, stimulated by influence from past experience, may persist without conscious awareness of its actual cause, with only the effect – the pain – consciously perceived.

Chronic Pain Initiated by Physical Trauma Physical injury causes pain, stimulating a response. Its purpose is clear; it motivates us to do whatever is necessary to relieve the pain. Acute pain is adequately

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explained by conventional pain theory until/unless it reaches chronicity. In that event, where the initial stimulus is not recurring and no physical cause is evident, the sustaining stimulus must be psychological. Moreover, it is likely that the patient is not consciously aware of the unconscious, psychological rationale supporting the stimulus.

Trauma causes the production of adrenalin and, for reasons not clearly understood, adrenalin cements memories and their effects. In illustration, in a time of trauma and under the influence of adrenalin, a person might learn to associate pain with knowing he is alive. That association might have the consequence of causing pain in present life as a means of “knowing I’m alive.” The blatant irrationality of that learned response is not recognized subconsciously, where the continuing pain is being inspired; only the initial association matters there, and this essential factor may provide general explanation for the presence of much enduring, “chronic” pain.

Chronic Pain in Consequence of Psychological Trauma or Subconscious Need Psychological factors can be the initial cause of pain, be a compounding influence, or may cause the continuation of pain that was initially inspired physically. As examples of psychological factors, guilt for overreacting in a situation or for mistakes of judgment, particularly if leading to a bad outcome, may have the consequence of self-punishment by means of pain; fear may cause muscle contraction that exacerbates low back pain, and learned associations may promote continuation of physically inspired pain.

Psychogenic Causes of Chronic Pain Patients have uncovered the following listed causes of psychogenic pain during the course of treatment employing Subliminal Therapy. Without exception, the patients did not initially recognize these causes at a conscious level. In some cases the patient was initially so preoccupied with awareness of pain itself that other perceptions were excluded. In most cases there were expressed, inaccurate reasons or justification for their pain, and in all cases the patients expressed surprise upon learning the actual reason. There was an element of “irrational rationality” in each instance. Viewed in retrospect, the initial stimulus of chronic pain consistently has an element of rationality that does not apply in current life. The following examples of consciously unrecognized, yet actual causes of chronic pain have been identified in using Subliminal Therapy:

To get attentionTo relieve emotional painTo know I’m aliveTo avoid rememberingTo punish myselfI’m being punishedSo I can make her feel guilty

So I can void thinking about somethingSo I can stay awakeSo I will continue physical therapyIt is always there when ______It is my destinyIt is inevitableIt is unavoidable

Psychological Purpose of Chronic Pain Although acute pain is essentially a protective mechanism, chronic pain can sometimes serve irrational purposes such as getting attention from others, self-punishment or distraction from unpleasant thoughts. Pain may subconsciously satisfy many possible needs.

Pain exists because we perceive it. When pain persists unnecessarily, it is because we have been conditioned to continue to perceive it. If the person has learned (at a subconscious level) to expect pain to continue, or has subconsciously become aware that the pain has value in some way, that conditioned

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response will likely persist, causing continued pain in opposition to conscious desire, will and logic. Unfortunately, in the case of chronic pain the purpose is rarely known consciously; therefore, lasting relief will probably not be possible by direct, conscious intervention. The subconscious purpose must be uncovered and resolved for extended relief.

As shown above, many possible psychological bases for chronic pain have been revealed. Regardless of the reason for continuing pain – the reason learned in the initial sensitizing situation – that reason always had legitimate importance in the initial situation, even though problematic in later situations. Phantom limb pain is a clear demonstration of the ability of the mind to create pain and migraine headaches are often another.

The mechanism of the creation of psychogenic chronic pain may also be through the action of smooth muscle, muscle that is controlled at a subconscious level in reaction to earlier experience. In illustration, it is speculated that headaches are caused by smooth muscle action, generating cranial pressure while being controlled at a subconscious level in response to past experience. As another illustration, the action of the smooth muscles of the glands may generate antibodies that in turn create the pain of psoriasis. Still, in all cases the pain is psychogenic.

Psychological Treatment of Chronic Pain Although episodes of chronic pain may appear to correlate with consciously identifiable, non-physical factors such as, “Its worse when I am stressed, when I go to bed / wake up / sit down / when my husband is in the room,” the correlation may not be consistent across or within patients; chronic pain also occurs at other times and for unimagined reasons. Unless the various factors associated with psychogenic, chronic pain are understood, resolution is not possible. Therefore, effective, clinical elimination of psychogenic chronic pain requires the identification of underlying psychological causes, followed by resolution of those causes. When causes are resolved, pain ceases to exist.

Essential, Clinical Requirements for Treating Chronic Pain Psychologically Both ethical and pragmatic necessity requires clinicians to rule out physical causes of pain. Nevertheless, in some instances there are clear indications that the presenting pain is psychogenic and, arguably, psychological treatment might precede medical treatment and perhaps make it unnecessary.

Uncover the subconscious, psychological reasons for the presence of pain. Hypnotic trance can facilitate this step by utilizing age-regression techniques or ideo-motor inquiry. Ego State Therapy has demonstrated fair effectiveness in doing so, and even free association in trance can be effective to some degree. With Subliminal Therapy, the patient is guided to utilize extra-conscious abilities to identify and then to resolve the reason/s.

Resolve the uncovered influences at the subconscious level. Once identified, resolution of the cause of chronic pain is usually accomplished by reframing the uncovered insight in the light of more mature understanding. For example, a memory of an event that was understood in one way at the time can be understood differently from the perspective of maturity, and this change in understanding changes its effect in present life.

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Treating Chronic Pain Using Hypnotic Phenomena

There are two, essentially different clinical approaches to employing hypnosis for pain relief:

1) Direct hypnotic suggestions for pain relief through dissociation, indifference, unawareness, mastery and perhaps amnesia can be employed, taking advantage of the increased suggestibility that is a component trance.

2) The trance state can be employed analytically as a way to uncover and resolve subconscious influences that are causing pain.

Using Hypnosis Suggestively Our mental ability to block the perception of pain is accessible via suggestive hypnosis for most patients and is used for surgical anesthesia in appropriate situations. Also, some degree of relief from pain can be obtained by distraction, especially when enhanced by suggestion, and an effective treatment can be to hypnotically teach the patient to perceive pain in a different way, perhaps a tickle, itch, or other sensation. Immediate relief is likely in response to hypnotic suggestion; however, long-term relief may require an analytical approach.

Direct, clinical suggestions for pain relief in hypnosis can have a profound and long-lasting effect when accompanied by strong emotion. The patient may bring that level of emotion (typically anxiety) to the treatment setting and the treating clinician, being an authority figure in that situation, may be able to provide relief by suggestion alone, even without formal trance induction (Patterson, et.al., 2003). It is demonstrably true that the patient is spontaneously experiencing hypnotic trance in that situation, at that time, and so is more suggestible than at other times.

Using Hypnosis Analytically To achieve prolonged relief from psychogenic pain, the subconscious benefits of the pain must be identified and resolved by consideration in the light of current, more mature and hopefully more objective knowledge. Hypnotic trance may facilitate this work by taking advantage of the enhanced memory ability associated with trance to uncover the subconscious benefits.

17

Treating Chronic Pain Using Subliminal Therapy

The underlying theory of Subliminal Therapy assumes that people are conditioned by their experiences in life, usually without conscious recognition when it is happening, and that such conditioning can result in both physical and mental disorders. Thus, the use of Subliminal Therapy is indicated when the pain is the consequence of experiences, the on-going influence of which is stored in the patient’s mind below conscious awareness. Chronic pain, hay fever, bronchial asthma, PTSD, anxiety, addictions, compulsions, obsessions and many sexual problems are all examples of such psychogenic disorders.

If chronic pain is a conditioned experience, reconditioning to be without pain should also be possible. This is the intent and focus of the protocol of Subliminal Therapy in treating pain. Effectiveness has been remarkable (See success rate data) and the intervention is time-efficient as well.

In applying Subliminal Therapy, the “higher level” of the patient’s mental functioning is identified and guided by the clinician to do the work of therapy. The existence of this “extra-conscious” ability is first established by rational discussion with the patient in which commonplace evidence of its influence and abilities are pointed out. The patient is then guided to subjective awareness of that level of mental functioning by establishing direct, rational communication with that domain. The clinician then guides the process of Subliminal Therapy with the patient consciously passive, even though consciously aware of the process. During the process of Subliminal Therapy, the patient’s conscious involvement is limited to one role: providing communication between his or her extra-conscious domain and the clinician, with the patient cognitively aware of the proceedings.

By engaging extra-conscious abilities, Subliminal Therapy enables a patient to identify and resolve the actual subconscious cause of the pain – as opposed to what the patient might initially believe to be the cause. Tapping into this higher level of mental abilities facilitates both the identification of the cause and its resolution. Communications from that domain are consciously perceived by the patient and then verbally relayed to the therapist. Problem resolution takes place as the clinician poses a logical sequence of questions and requests addressed directly to that extra-conscious level of functioning, receiving responses from that level via the patient’s conscious mind. This feature bypasses the limits and rationalizations of consciousness by engaging this “higher level” ability to do the work of therapy. It is a feature unique to Subliminal Therapy.

As Subliminal Therapy is employed, the mechanism of change is re-conditioning, the advantage being that it takes place at a subconscious level. Previously held, dysfunctional, subconscious beliefs and values are revised. False understandings and convictions are exposed and corrected by exposure to the patient’s more mature knowledge and judgment. Once the true cause of a problem has been identified, resolution may involve conscious contributions; however, resolution is more frequently accomplished without conscious involvement.

Essentially without exception, the rationale and concepts of Subliminal Therapy are readily embraced by patients. It makes sense to them and offers new hope for desired change. Chronic conditions are commonly resolved within two-to-five sessions, leaving both the patient, and sometimes the clinician, pleasantly surprised.

18

Subliminal Therapy Success Rates

Subliminal Therapy was conceived by Edwin K. Yager, Ph.D. and has evolved into a structured, cogent protocol during the past 35 years of use in his clinical practice. During the past six years, Dr. Yager has collected data on the success rates of ST in the form of inventories completed by the patients before and after treatment, and again at follow-up. The inventory assesses areas of life in which the presenting problem has negatively impacted the patient, together with the degree to which that impact is present at the time the inventory is completed. The results of this research are updated as additional data become available and published on the website of The Subliminal Therapy Institute, Inc., (www.stii.us )

The following table presents the success rates of employing Subliminal Therapy to treat chronic pain in Dr. Yager’s private practice. The data was collected during the past six years using the patient-completed inventory, Yager Subjective Effects Inventory at the beginning of treatment, post-treatment and where possible at follow-up. All cases of chronic pain treated during the past six years are included in this data if the course of treatment was completed.

Success Rates – All Cases Combined

All Cases Post-Treatment

Follow Up> 3 months

Subjective Relief 79% 71%n 202 48Mean 5.46 1.7Standard Deviation 2.02 2.3Cohen’s d 2.21 1.95Effect Size r 0.74 0.70Average Treatment Time 2.8 hours

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Overall Success Rates

AverageTreatment

Hours

Effect SizeCohen’s d

AverageImprovement

nNumberOf Cases

n > 80%

Addiction 2.1 94% 10 9

Chemical 2.5 1.15 98% 3 3 Smoking 2.0 0.93 99% 4 4 Other 2.0 1.06 84% 3 2

Anxiety 3.2 80% 57 39

General Anxiety 4.2 .026 87% 24 19 OCD 2.1 .028 61% 17 5 Panic D 2.8 .036 85% 12 9 Phobic D 1.5 .039 82% 10 6

Mood 3.0 82% 25 15

Anger 2.0 0.37 83% 12 7 Depression 2.8 0.71 79% 4 3 Guilt 4.4 0.43 74% 8 4

Physical 2.9 68% 31 19

Asthma 2.0 1.57 84% 2 1 GI 4.7 0.25 75% 3 1 Pain 2.5 0.33 75% 14 9 Weight 3.2 0.55 57% 3 0 Other 1.9 0.86 87% 9 6

Sexual 7.8 97% 4 4

Performance 21 1.84 93% 2 2 Vaginismus 5.0 2.00 100% 2 2

Sleep D 2.9 0.49 82% 8 4

Other 2.9 0.27 86% 19 16

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Yager Subjective Effects Inventory (YSEI)

_____________________________________________________________ _________________________ Patient name Date

_____________________________________________________________ Presenting problem For each question, please circle the

number that provides your best answer.If an item does not apply, skip that item.

During the past day – week – month (Please circle one):

To what extent are the symptoms present in your life?

To what extent has the above problem interfered with your social life?

To what extent has the above problem interfered with your family life?

To what extent has the above problem interfered with your sexual life?

To what extent has the above problem interfered with your spiritual life?

To what extent has the above problem interfered with your memory?

To what extent has the above problem interfered with your sleep?

To what extent has the above problem interfered with your appetite?

To what extent has the above problem interfered with your work life?

To what extent has the above problem interfered with your ability to concentrate?

To what extent has the above problem been a cause of personal distress?

To what extent has the above problem caused you to feel depressed?

To what extent has the above problem caused you to feel anxious?

To what extent has the above problem caused physical problems?

To what extent has the above problem caused any other problem/s? If your response is affirmative, what is that problem?

If the treatment has been completed, were you satisfied with the results?

Not at all Severe

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

No Yes

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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Certification in Subliminal Therapy

Only the Subliminal Therapy Institute, Inc. is authorized to certify Clinicians in Subliminal Therapy. Qualifications and training for this Certification, as well as its responsibilities and privileges, are as follows:

Qualifications:

If a citizen of the United States, Applicant must be licensed as a health care clinician in the state of his or her practice.

If not a citizen of the United States, Applicant must be established as a clinician in the health professions of his or her country.

If a United States citizen, Applicant must hold membership in a professional organization commensurate with license.

If not a citizen of the United Sates, Applicant must hold membership in a professional organization commensurate with his or her professional status.

Training:

A minimum of six-hours of formal training in Subliminal Therapy is required for Certification.

Formal training may be completed in the facilities of STI, Inc., or elsewhere under the supervision of a clinician who has been Certified by STI, Inc.  A Certificate of Completion, or written certification of completion of such formal training by a clinician who is Certified in Subliminal Therapy, will satisfy the training requirement to qualify to take the Certification Examination.

In addition to the training material in the textbook on Subliminal Therapy, Subliminal Therapy: Using the Mind to Heal, material is also provided on the website of the Institute, www.stii.us.

Following formal training, the Applicant must have observed a minimum of 15 hours of the clinical application of Subliminal Therapy, accomplished by a Certified clinician, either in person or by observing video recordings, prior to taking the Certification Examination.

Certification Examination:

The Certification Examination consists of a combination of 100 multiple choice and true-false questions, randomly selected from a battery of greater than 100 questions.  The answers to the multiple choice questions are randomly positioned for each examination.  This examination must be completed on-line.

Individual, affirmative statements of all of the questions in the battery of questions will be available on the website of the Institute as an aid to studying for the examination.  Specific questions and concerns may be posed via email to the Institute at info@stii.us.

Applicant must pass the Certification Examination with a minimum score of 95%. A fee of $50 will be charged for each administration of the examination and the applicant

will be permitted to re-take the examination as frequently as desire

Proof of Competency:

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After passing the Certification Examination, Applicant must demonstrate proficiency in using Subliminal Therapy by applying Subliminal Therapy in real-life situations for a minimum of six hours under the direct supervision of a Certified clinician.  The supervising clinician must certify in written form that the applicant has satisfactorily demonstrated proficiency.

This demonstration of proficiency may be accomplished in a person-to-person setting or may be accomplished by means of a series of exchanged video-recordings in which the applicant is afforded critique of her or his performance.

Application Procedure:

Formal, written application for Certification is made after completion and verification of the requirements for Certification.  The application is to be submitted in the form of a letter from the Applicant, addressed to the President of the Institute.  This letter must include details of qualifications, documentation of Training, verification of observations and Proof of Competency as described above.

Qualifications must be affirmed by a detailed statement from the Applicant and documented by appropriate copies of licensure or other certificates of status.

Training must be affirmed by a detailed statement from the Applicant. Proof of passing the Certification Examination will be satisfied by passing the examination

in the facilities of STI, Inc., or via the internet. Proof of Competency with respect to performance will be satisfied by a Certification of

Competency signed by the Certified supervising clinician.

Final Approval of Certification:

Final approval for the Applicant to be Certified may be granted by the President of STI, Inc. or by action of the Board of Directors of the Institute.  After review of the application, additional information and/or documentation may be required, and the Applicant will be promptly notified of such requirement.

Obligations of Certification:

It is an obligation of a Certified person to encourage the use of Subliminal Therapy in those applications where its use is appropriate.

It is an obligation of a Certified person to train other clinicians who are interested in using Subliminal Therapy.

It is an obligation of a Certified person to maintain the standards for Certification as detailed here.

Privileges of Certification:

Your name, links and related data will be posted on the website of the Institute. You will be eligible for referrals from the Institute. You will have authorization to publicize your Certification in any responsible way. You will have access to consultants associated with STI, Inc. You will have access to restricted information on the website of the Institute. As opportunity and your availability coincide, you will have authority to train others in the

use of Subliminal Therapy.

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The Subliminal Therapy Flow Charts

Introduction to the Flow Charts

These flow charts are intended as aids in learning to apply Subliminal Therapy. The suggested accompanying words are presented and are also available on the website of the Subliminal Therapy Institute, www.stii.us. The steps presented are the steps I typically take, based on over thirty-five years of experience with Subliminal Therapy. These steps define my personal, biased view of the preferred path to take. You may develop your own pathway, yet I suggest you begin learning Subliminal Therapy with mine.

Following the flow charts, I offer suggested words for use in the steps of the flow charts. As the clinician, you will ultimately employ phrasing and expressions that are personally comfortable and natural for you to use. It is the meaning and flow that must be communicated. This is as it should be. Some clinicians will adhere to my words, and that’s okay too, as they are good words and have proven to be effective. Not all possible paths required for treatment are covered by the flow charts, yet they will prove sufficient in most cases. Your knowledge and skills as a clinician will be required to devise alternate paths in other cases. Instructions for Using the Flow Charts

These charts are intended for instructional purposes; they do not cover all possible courses treatment might take. They are adequate for many cases, but as many more will deviate to the extent of requiring innovation and creative thought on your part as the clinician.

As you learn to use ST, you may find better sequences to use, and you are encouraged to use what works for you; nevertheless, the sequence provided is a tool to use in developing your skills.

Practice is of course essential. Read the content until you know what the next words are apt to be. If you comprehend the logic of the flow of the process, you will find that it flows for you.

Your patient will likely slip into hypnotic trance during the instructions and establishing communications with Centrum. Therefore, you will not be observed as you read the content suggested for the flow charts. It will be important that you read in your own, natural voice, rather than a voice that reveals you are reading; this is easily achieved through minimal practice. Trust that the patient is involved in his or her own thoughts and experiences and will not be paying critical attention to your performance. Speak clearly and with confidence; all else will follow as you would wish.

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100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

200 109 209

201

202

203

204

205

206

207

110

111

112

113

114

115

116

117

211

212

214

210

213

215

YES

NO

NO

NO

YES

FAIL

COMPLETE

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO

YES

COMPLETE

FAIL

> ONE

ONE

NO

NO

YES

FAIL

COMPLETE

NO

YES

YES

NO

FAIL

COMPLETE

NO

YES

YES

YES

Basic Flow Chart

208

25

209

303

YES

304

YES

306

311

305

304

110

214 308 408

310 309

NO

NO

NO

YES

NO NO

YESYES

Extended Flow Chart

205 105

302

YES

211

111

101

212

110

209

NO

YES

NO

YES

NO

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Verbal Content for the Steps on the Flow ChartsNote that the flow is addressed to the problem of asthma.

100 Having “set the stage” to begin the process of Subliminal Therapy, you will now begin to follow the Flow Charts. Since you are advised to avoid assumptions, ensure that Centrum is aware of the conscious goal by asking. Do not assume Centrum is aware. Request that Centrum respond by writing the answer on the chalkboard.

Asking Centrum to indicate completion by writing the work “complete” following the first half-dozen steps of the process may make it unnecessary to repeatedly ask for the chalkboard response at the end of succeeding steps; the responses will come without the request.

Centrum, are you aware of your conscious desire/concern regarding the asthma? Please respond by writing your answer on the chalkboard. Y - 101

N - 200101 It is wise to ensure that Centrum is willing to be involved in the process. And if there is

a negative response, it will be necessary to persuade Centrum to be involved. Here, your talents as a clinician come into play; however, it is rare that Centrum is not cooperative.

Centrum, are you willing to cooperate in this effort, to do some work as I guide you and teach you how, to accomplish your conscious goal? Y – 102

N - 201102 Ask Centrum to complete the investigation as comprehensively as possible with the

objective of Centrum achieving as complete an understanding as is possible at this time, and to indicate completion of the task by writing the work “complete” on the chalkboard.

Centrum, please investigate this issue. Review memories of events that may have had something to do with it and communicate with those parts that are involved. The objective, Centrum, is for you to understand how asthma became part of your life. Centrum, is my request clear to you? Y – 103

N - 202

103 Centrum, please complete that task as comprehensively as is possible at this time and let me know when you have done so, to the limit of your ability, by writing the word “Complete” on the chalkboard. C - 104

F – 203104 Again, make no assumptions. Ask Centrum if the investigation produced understanding

of the cause of the problem. If not, you must approach the process in a way that will ensure the development of Centrum’s understanding.

Centrum, do you now understand the cause of the asthma, how it came to be a part of your life and why it has continued. Y – 105

N - 204

105 Ask Centrum if the asthma is being caused by one or more parts of the mind. If more than one, you must guide Centrum to interact with each part independently, one-at-a-time, through step 109 of the sequence.

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Centrum, is asthma being caused by the action of one or more parts of your mind? Y – 106N - 205

106 Centrum, I will now ask that you identify the part, or parts if there are more than one, of your mind that are actively causing the asthma so that you will be able to communicate with them. Centrum, is that purpose clear to you? Y – 107

N - 206

107 Centrum, please identify the part, or parts, and let me know when you have completed the task by writing the word “Complete” on the chalkboard. C – 108

F - 207108 Ask Centrum how many parts are actively involved in causing the asthma to occur,

or in interfering or preventing the goal from being accomplished.

Centrum, how many such parts are actively causing the asthma? 1 – 1091 -208

109 Centrum may or may not be in communication with this particular part. You must ask.

Centrum, are you in communication with that part?Y – 110N – 209

110 Explain to Centrum that the part is “stuck” in time, aware only of the information available at the time it was formed, and that it is in ignorance of present reality. Explain Centrum’s job as being that of educating the part about present reality, thereby becoming aware of present life situation, values, needs, etc.

Centrum, please communicate with that part in the following way; First, please listen to the part. Find out what the part believes and why it believes what it believes. Then, Centrum, communicate to that part information about present reality. Centrum, that part is stuck in time at that time when it came into being, knowing only what it knew then, in ignorance of your life as it is now. Educate that part, Centrum, about present needs, values and life situation. Persuade that part to your way of thinking. Centrum, is my request clear to you? Y – 111

N - 210111 Then, Centrum, please accomplish that task to the limit of your ability and let me

know when you have done so by writing the word “Complete” on the chalkboard. C – 112 F – 211

112 Avoid assuming success. Ask!

Centrum, did you succeed in that task? Y – 113N - 212

113 It is possible that Centrum accomplished more than you requested, or may have identified other active parts.

Centrum, please search to identify any remaining part of your mind that may still be in a position to cause the asthma to continue. Is one or more parts of you mind still active in any way, for any reason, that might cause the asthma to recur in your life?

N – 114Y - 109

114 The patient may strongly desire conscious awareness of the work just completed, may be indifferent, or may not want to be aware. Nevertheless, conscious awareness

28

does seem to afford value to the process and, unless there is an expression of conscious opposition, request that Centrum reveal that information to consciousness.Centrum, please elevate to consciousness the memories of those experiences in which you learned to experience asthma, as well as understanding of the work you just completed. Please do so by writing on the chalkboard, by an inner voice, memory, insight or any other means. Please write the word “Complete” when you have done so. C – 115

F - 214115 Inquire if the patient is satisfied with the information received. Ask if it all makes

sense and if the patient could, if requested, describe the process by which the asthma became a part of his life. If satisfied, go to 116. If not satisfied, go back to 114 and persuade Centrum to reveal the information, or determine if one or more parts are preventing conscious awareness. In the latter case, guide Centrum to communicate with those parts, persuading them to permit conscious awareness. S 116

N 114116 Express to the patient the fact that the real test of completeness of this work is in the

real world, yet there is value in finding a way to test it here and now, so that if not complete, we can continue the process now. Ask the patient to use his or her imagination to project into the future, into a situation in which an asthma attack would be expected to occur. If the patient has difficulty imagining that situation, the work is not complete and Centrum should be asked to identify the part. Other tests may occur to you. Use them as necessary as an aid in decisions of the moment. F 216

S 117117 The task of change is now complete insofar as it is possible to test at this point.

Explain to the patient that, although it appears to be complete, the real test is in the real world, and that some additional part might have escaped detection and still be active causing the asthma. Assure the patient that if there is a continuation of the asthma, it simply means that the work is not yet complete and that taking succeeding steps will be even more efficiently accomplished, now that Centrum knows how to do the work more efficiently. To not provide the assurance that the work can be finally completed – even if the asthma should recur between treatment sessions – is to risk premature withdrawal from treatment. Point out that recurrence would simply mean the work is not complete; it does not mean failure of the person or of the treatment.

Excellent work, Centrum. Thank you.

200 SERIES

200 It may seem incongruous that Centrum is not aware of what is happening in the patient’s life, yet that sometimes occurs, and the patient is usually dysfunctional because of it. Your task is to make Centrum aware of the issue and one way is to ask the patient to verbalize the problem, in simple yet comprehensive terms, after requesting that Centrum listen. 100

201 At this point in the process, you are dependent upon Centrum. It is necessary that Centrum develop understanding of causal factors and it is your job to facilitate this. It might be that Centrum simply does not understand what is expected, or that Centrum is unable to overcome the blocking of some resistant part, or other issue. By appropriate questions to Centrum, based on your professional sense of the situation, clarify the

29

problem and persuade Centrum to continue with the work. 101

202 Your request may not clear for a number of reasons; however, it is probably due to your not having phrased the request in terms Centrum could follow. Rephrase it as required, perhaps including a review of the concepts of Subliminal Therapy, and repeat the question.

Centrum, please investigate this issue. Review memories of events that may have had something to do with it and communicate with those parts that are involved. The objective, Centrum, is for you to understand how asthma became part of your life. Centrum, is my request clear to you? Y – 103

N - 202

203 If you have requested that Centrum indicate when the task is complete by writing “complete” on the chalkboard, and there has been no response, it may be that you (or the patient) are being impatient and Centrum simply needs more time. Ask Centrum if that is the case.

Centrum, are you involved in the process and need more time? If the answer is “Yes”: Okay, we will be patient, just let us know by the word “complete” when you have completed the task. C 104

204 Re-phrase your request to Centrum. You must depend upon Centrum’s ability to access memories, etc., and perhaps Centrum did not understand your request as you intended it to be. Ensure that you speak of Centrum using the abilities of memory access, communication with other parts, etc., to uncover the needed information. 104

205 It is possible that Centrum is actively causing the problem that is the focus of treatment. Centrum may disagree with the conscious opinion of the patient.

Centrum, are you, you Centrum, are you causing (problem)? N 105Y 302

206 Repeat your request using different words and include elaboration and explanation as you sense is necessary. 106

207 Although usually not a problem, this question may not be understood by Centrum. Explain that it will be necessary for Centrum to communicate with the identified parts and that this step is necessary to set the stage for that to happen. 107

208 You may, or you may not, know how many parts are actually involved causing the presenting problem; you only know there are more than one. Ask Centrum to select one of the parts and to proceed with the protocol. When Centrum has cleared that part, ask Centrum to select another, and then another, until all have been cleared. 109

209 Your task is that of establishing communication between Centrum and the identified part. While the part may not be willing to communicate, it us usually willing to consider new information if doing so does not require self-disclosure.

Centrum, are you willing to communicate with the part? Y 303N 310

30

210 Somehow there has been a lack of clear communications to Centrum. Perhaps it had to do with phrasing, or even with content. Repeat the instructions of 110 in different words, checking incrementally with Centrum to ensure understanding. 110

211 You have requested that Centrum indicate completeness by writing the word “complete” and no response has been forthcoming. Ask Centrum if more time is needed. If no, ask if Centrum is willing to do the work.

Centrum, are you willing to establish communication and do the work as requested?

Y 111N 101

212 Centrum, did you succeed in establishing communication with the part, as I requested?

Y 110N 209

214 Unconscious entities may deny conscious awareness for reasons of protection or for other reasons that are considered valid. On the other hand, it may be that conscious awareness is not necessary to accomplish the goal. You won’t know unless you ask.

Centrum, will conscious awareness be necessary to accomplish the goal? Y 114N 308

216 Inability to imagine the desired situation without difficulty is clear indication that the work is not complete.

Centrum, the work is apparently not complete. I therefore ask that you re-investigate the beginning of the asthma and learn what remains to be accomplished. Identify the part/s that continue to be active in causing the asthma. C 104

300 SERIES

302 You need to know Centrum’s reason for causing the asthma, since this is the root of the barrier to the consciously desired change. So, ask. Ask Centrum to write that reason, or to express by an inner voice, or by other means. When the reason is expressed, guide the patient to offer countering views – back and forth – until agreement is reached, then proceed on that agreement.

303 In this step, you are seeking a way to engineer communications between the part and Centrum. A fair assumption is that the part is fearful of exposure and the following approach has been highly effective in resolving the barrier.

Centrum, is the part willing to consider information with the provision that it need not expose itself, that it is only required to listen?

A “no” or “no response” to this question will challenge your professional ability to devise an approach that will overcome the barrier. One possible approach is to temporarily abandon Subliminal Therapy, perhaps using age-regression techniques to resolve the immediate aspect, then return to working with Subliminal Therapy. Perhaps request Centrum to select a different part to work with, then come back to this part after requesting the part to listen to the process.

Y 305N 304

31

304 Centrum, please communicate with the part. Inform the part about present life conditions, needs, values and desires. Ensure that the part understands the negative consequences of its influence and persuade the part to support your conscious goals.

305 Here, the best bet is to assume that the part is, in fact, listening and to ask Centrum to communicate as though that is true. Assume the part is well-intended and appeal to that good intention

Centrum, please communicate information to this part, information about present life conditions, etc. Be supportive of that part, Centrum, appeal to its good intentions.

C 110

306 The part agreed to listen, and apparently has listened to the appeal from Centrum. The next step is to engineer bi-lateral communications between the part and Centrum so that full, mutual understanding can be reached between them.

Centrum, is the part now willing to communicate fully with you in an exchange of positions and opinions? Y 304

N 110307 Centrum, please communicate further information to the part. This time, Centrum,

appeal to the positive intention of the part, offer any information you believe may persuade the part to communicate with you. C 110

308 Make it clear that you are asking for the conscious opinion of the patient, ask if it is important to him or her to know, at a conscious level, about the work just completed. Some will insist on knowing, others will not want to know.

-- Patient --, do you want to know, to understand consciously, what Centrum just accomplished? Y 309

N 408309 The patient wants to know, and there is value in having that knowledge, therefore,

this becomes the focus of therapy. With this goal in mind, guide Centrum to eliminate the barrier, perhaps by following the basic protocol of Subliminal Therapy.

310 There are many conceivable reasons why Centrum might be unwilling to continue. You might be able to anticipate the reason and respond effectively, or you might not know the reason. Ask if Centrum is willing to reveal the reason for the refusal and use this response (if provided) to persuade Centrum.

Your talents as a clinician will be tested at this juncture. Be inventive, knowing that unless Centrum can be persuaded to your way of thinking, you must shift to another mode of treatment.

400 Series

408 In some instances, patients are just curious about what is going on, in other cases they may strongly desire to know, and other cases they may not want to know. As the clinician, you are obligated to conform to the patient’s wishes insofar as you are able to do so; after all, it is the patient’s life. It

32

might be that the prospect of “knowing” what actually happened is so overwhelming that the patient is unwilling to continue therapy; it is seen as a threat that must not be accommodated. Pay attention to your instincts.

33

LinksAmerican Society of Clinical Hypnosis www.asch.net International Society of Hypnosis www.ish hypnosis .org

European Society of Hypnosiswww.esh- hypnosis . eu

Subliminal Therapy Institute, Inc.www.stii.us

Hypnotherapy Training Ltd www.advhyp.com

Edwin K. Yager, Ph.D.www.docyager.com

Recommended Reading

Acosta, J. & Prager, J., (2002). The Worst is Over. Jodere Group, Inc., San Diego California.

Chamberlain, D.B. (1988). Babies Remember Birth. Tarcher, Los Angeles.

Cheek, D.B. (1994). Hypnosis: The Application of Ideomotor Techniques. Allyn & Bacon, Boston.

Doidge, N., (2007). The Brain That Changes Itself. Penguin Books Ltd., London.

Elman, D. (1964). Explorations in Hypnosis. Nash, Los Angeles.

Ewin, D. (2009). 101 Things I Wish I had Known When I Started Using Hypnosis. Crown House

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