I told her that the books already has cured my guilt for leaving my parents and the emotional imbilical cord. She insisted that there was a child inside me that was afraid of my father and needed to be protected from him before I leave. I am 40 years old. And I had a session with the foremost expert and author on controlling parents over the telephone and read four books. I know that the initial problem was emotional guilt or blackmail or emotional need to keep the parents happy. Not as fear of my father. But as fear of depression due to guilt and not being happy unless my parents were happy.

The hypnotherapist asked me if I’d be interested in hypnotherapy. I said that I wasn’t comfortable doing that. On our second session, she mentioned that we would do hypnotherapy. But she avoided asking for my permission. Realize, that we never discussed why we were doing this. She did mention that she wanted to build my ego so that I wouldn’t feel guilty leaving my parents. But she had already agreed that I wasn’t feeling guilty anymore.

I’ve been to two psychiatrists, a psychologist and a counselour. The psychiatrists would cover everything within one session. But the psychotherapists without an MD would seem to want to not solve the problem. Because once it’s solved, there is no more client. I remember when I first made an appt. with my counselour, the secretary said that she sees her clients on a weekly basis. She doesn’t even know what I’m there for yet to assume that I’m going to be going routinely.

I was very impressed with the knowledge and solutions that the psychiatrists had. The non psychiatrists knowledge seemed lacking. I’m not saying that they didn’t have anything to contribute. But they seem to beat around the bush, give wrong advice and/or want to slow things down. My guess is that psychiatrists are very busy because they can prescribe drugs.

Having said that, there are poor doctors, poor tradesmen and unfortunately poor therapists, no matter what training or study they have undergone.
No Hypnoanalyst should ever direct a client as to the particular cause of their problem, nor should they specify the nature of that cause.

Pure Hypnoanalysis, as practiced by IAPH members is a “brief therapy”, expected to be effective within 12 sessions. It is actually stated on their website that members will not charge should more sessions be required.

However, it is a long known fact that not all therapies suit all people, but also that successful psychoanalytical therapy is based on the personal relationship and honesty between therapist and client.
If anyone does not feel comfortable with their therapist, in any way or for any reason, they should bring that up with them at the earliest opportunity.

And finally, the basis for this strategic discounting of an alternative “product” is highly questionable. I, in my time, have come across MORE than two unhelpful, unprofessional and unpleasant doctors. But does that mean that I should disregard the whole medical profession and all that modern medicine has to offer?

- Kieran.