Autogenic training

What is Autogenic therapy?

Autogenic Therapy is one of the best forms of self-help available because it brings about profound relaxation of body and mind. The name 'Autogenic' means self-generated or produced from within. Autogenic Therapy (AT) works by stimulating your innate self-healing ability. This gives you a sense of autonomy and control over our health and lives. Once learned it remains a very useful resource for the rest of your life.

Why is it needed?

A large proportion of problems whether physical or psychological are either caused or made worse by stress. AT is a powerful method of both releasing stress as well as preventing stress building up in the first place.

Who can it help?

AT is not only useful for dealing with health problems. It is also used by many people such as athletes, actors and many other professionals to enable them to perform at their peak. Other people use AT to enhance their creativity, inner development and personal growth.

What problems are best treated by autogenic therapy?

Any problem caused by stress or made worse by stress is likely to be greatly improved by a course of AT. It is one of the very best non-drug approaches available and works well in conjunction with both orthodox medicine and all types of alternative approaches to health.

Autogenic Therapy has an excellent record in helping people with the following problems:

• sleep disorders of all kinds
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• asthma
• irritable bowel syndrome
• colitis
• migraines and chronic headaches
• sexual dysfunction
• muscular tension

Is it suitable for everyone?

Yes, even children as young as 5 have benefited from learning an adapted form of AT.

How quickly can i expect results?

Provocative Therapy may leave you feeling elated or energised and determined to implement immediate changes. Occasionally you may feel a little tired and confused. This feeling usually settles quickly and is followed by the emergence of a new determination.

This process can sometimes produce dramatic and long-lasting results in just one or two sessions. However a course of four sessions is usually recommended. At this point results are often self-evident in the majority of patients. Some may require a continuation of more sessions either on a regular or on an'if and when needed' basis. Routine follow-up evaluations are recommended every 3 to 6 months, in order to ensure that positive results are durable.

Recording of sessions

The purpose of recording is to enable you to develop a deeper understanding and to allow for an enrichment of the process. Many people have derived great benefits from listening to and seeing themselves negotiate solutions to their problems and observing their own reactions in the sessions.

Comments taken out of context, especially absurd provocations, can mislead others and this can undermine what is essentially (and unusually) a transparent process. You will be asked to sign a disclaimer including an assurance that you will not under any circumstances make any of the recordings public.

All psychotherapy sessions are confidential and no recordings are shown to others. However if you prefer not to have your sessions taped, this is not a requirement.

A course of provocative therapy

The suggested format for a course of Provocative Therapy is as follows:

Session 1:

Recorded on audiotape which will remain with Dr. Kaplan until Session 2.

Session 2: (ideally 2-4 days after Session 1)

Recorded on audiotape. You are then given the audiotape to listen to before the next session. You will be recommended to listen to what you say in response to the Provocative Therapy and importantly to the quality of your tone of voice.

Session 3: (90 minute session - ideally one week after session 2)

Recorded on DVD which you can collect in person or be sent to you by recorded delivery. Now is your opportunity not only to hear what you say and how you say it, but also to observe vital information conveyed by your body language.

Session 4: (One month after Session 3)

Discussion, assessment and follow-up.

Further Sessions:

To be discussed with Dr. Kaplan. Some patients may need more sessions either weekly, fortnightly or monthly but all patients should be followed up in 3 - 6 months to confirm that the effect of the Provocative Therapy is being sustained.

Reading

Provocative Therapy, Frank Farrelly and Jeff Brandsma, Meta Publications, 1974.