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Room:
Parallel room 2
Topic:
Clinical application - integrative approaches
Type of presentation:
Workshop
Duration:
60 Minutes
13:30 pm
Memory: The Bedrock of Distress and Recovery
Dr. Alistair Dobbin | United Kingdom
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Author:
Dr. Alistair Dobbin | United Kingdom
Since the early observations of Freud on free association, memory has been in (sometimes) and out (mainly) of fashion as a source of distress and a force for recovery. After many years of working as a family doctor and hypnotherapist, I stumbled on a sports coaching programme which I found to have transformative effects on depression, anxiety, burnout and rehabilitation. The recovery elements were observed in a study in depression in Primary care, and this was supported by analysis by Kings College. Some of the patients described accessing and integrating trauma memories whilst using this programme, which shares a common state of autonomic physiology and consciousness with hypnotherapy. This led to a collaboration with McGill and UQAM, and using the programme in an experimental blinded trial we have validated their ground breaking work on the effects of episodic memories, which above all other factors appear to govern long term psychological functioning and wellbeing. Out of this we have created a new model of distress and recovery (NeMesIS) which also underpins our therapeutic programme, Positive Mental Training, found in our NHS accredited app. I am sure that anyone who is a hypnotherapist will recognise how well this model fits with their own work as hypnotherapists. We also feel that this research gives a strong endorsement for anyone looking to research in hypnotherapy outcomes in health services or in a wider experimental context.
At this conference I propose to describe the model in a brief presentation of the principles of our model to conference, and also to run a workshop along with my co-author Sheila Ross, on how this model can inform what we do now, and look for ways of improving our current practice. We will discuss the synergies we see with hypnotheraputic practice (age regression, affect bridge, collapsing anchors etc etc all of which we have used with success) and look at patient stories of their memories and the effect of mental training. We will hopefully learn from you also as to where you see this research informing your practice.