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Using Hypnosis With Life Threatening Illnesses

by Kevin P. Walder Cht.

These are the circumstances in which those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS infection have often found themselves. This represents an abrupt end to life as this client has known it up to the present. While it is true that many are surviving with the aid of powerful (and expensive) drug “cocktails”, the effects of the original diagnosis and the loss of other important people in their lives can represent a heavy burden for the client to bear. The drugs can cease to be effective over time and the client is subjected to experiments with new combinations of medications. The feelings of loss of control of one's life along with the depression and anger can be as devastating to the client as the disease itself.

While this piece deals mainly with the client who has been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS infection, the principles can be applied and adapted easily to working with any client with a life threatening illness. Many cancer patients will encounter similar situations as they proceed through treatment, such as chemotherapy, radiation, etc. At times it may appear that the client is as much a victim of the treatment as of the disease.

How do we as hypnotherapists help these individuals cope with their life situation? We have many valuable tools for relaxation, healing imagery, and clearing past emotional trauma to share. The medical community has long accepted the fact that a positive mental outlook and emotional support are very helpful in improving the efficacy of prescribed treatment. While stories of miracles are wonderful to hear and a positive mental outlook is imperative, how do we prepare ourselves to accept the present situation as it is and work with what we have.

Start with yourself. By far the most difficult and most important work you do for this client will be the work you do on yourself prior to the first session with the client. Begin by taking stock of your own belief system, prejudices, biases, or even personal feelings of guilt. Be brutally honest with yourself, if you have not cleared any of these old beliefs from your mind, your client will know immediately.

How do you really feel about facing your own mortality? Is there still work for you to do surrounding the death of a parent, spouse, or child? Can you truly present yourself as whole when it is time to work with this client?

If you have any of the issues mentioned above, please refer this client immediately to a hypnotherapist who is better prepared to help. You run a very big risk both to yourself and the client by attempting to proceed under such circumstances. You will either be taking on all the clients problems to the point of developing symptoms yourself , or you will be too distanced from the client to be effective.

Establishing certain priorities with the client is very important from the beginning. As we have learned the client has been thrust into a life situation very different from any he/she has ever known, so involving the client in the planning of the sessions with you is an integral part of the process.

Some priorities to consider:

• Allow the client to regain, establish a sense of control.
• Allow the client to establish a new independence.
• Allow the client to maintain personal dignity.
• Promote the client becoming an active member of his care giving team.

Where it is possible the therapist should involve family members in the process. The client's family is, no doubt, going to be very curious as to what your sessions are like and may even be protective of their loved one. So be very open and honest with them, let them know that your work is not intended to interrupt or replace anything that has been prescribed for the client by his/her physician. Instruct them in ways they can assist the client in practicing his/her relaxation methods when you are not around, but try to help them see that the dignity of the client is very important and to be supportive in every way.

Now that you have laid the groundwork how will you proceed? Regression Therapy can be very effective in getting the client to view his/her situation honestly. Oftentimes when such a diagnosis is made the patient only hears the dire warning that they are going to die completely missing the options presented by their physician. By regressing the client he/she may be able to remember some of the hopeful words they have since forgotten in coming to grips with their diagnosis.

Allowing the client to direct their own journey through the use of “reverse metaphor” can be very effective in getting the client to see that he/she does have a great deal of control and can find refreshment in using it. This particular method can be very effective in helping the client to establish a new independence in their new life situation. Some therapists postulate that clients under a great deal of stress and anxiety are particularly susceptible to post-hypnotic suggestions, which makes your work especially effective and powerful. A word of caution here: any pessimism expressed by you at this time, whether by words, tone of voice, or body language is equally powerful and can undo a tremendous amount of good work.

After your first session or two, using the information provided by the client, offer instruction in self hypnosis. This allows the client still more independence allowing him/her to work effectively in your absence. You may want to compose self hypnosis tapes or Cd's using the imagery from their own reverse metaphor work. Your foremost concern is the comfort of your client and you will find yourself fine tuning your approach as your session and your client's condition progresses. Suggestions are a wonderful way to relieve nausea, pain, and discomfort, but be very careful that you do not attempt to replace conventional treatment. You must always insist that any new pain be discussed with their physician and the appropriate regimen be followed. Don't play God.

Your client's condition has worsened, now what? I have watched a friend wither and eventually die with cancer, it is not a pretty sight. We knew that the end was near when the disease entered her brain and her ability to focus, and carry on a conversation (her favorite pastime) became impossible. Are you as a therapist prepared for this part of the journey with your client?

Take another look at the priorities we discussed with the client in the beginning, nowhere will you see the word 'cure' or even 'heal'. We said we wanted to give them the best they could have under a new set of life circumstances, don't stop now. At this stage of working with your client you will need to be especially careful to work within their belief system, and their understanding of spirituality. Remember to allow the client to maintain their independence and dignity. No matter how strongly you may feel for or against a particular religious belief now is not the time to attempt to convert your client to your way of thinking.

I recall sitting by my Grandmothers bed as she neared death, she hadn't looked at me for two days and seemed almost comatose from the pain killers being administered intravenously. As I sat there alone I said aloud, but almost to myself “grandma do you even know I'm here?” To which she replied indignantly; “yes, Kevin, I haven't lost my mind”. My point here is even though your client may appear to be beyond your reach some of what you say gets through and can be helpful. This is also a good time to help the members of your client's family, the primary care givers, as they are experiencing a great deal of stress and grief at this time.

In summary, until there are cures for these insidious diseases, and even when there are cures available, hypnotherapy can play a vital role in improving the quality of life for the client. Remembering that the work we do on ourselves is the most important work of all is one of the big lessons I learned from this project. In order to be effective givers we must first be whole.

Kevin Walder is a registered hypnotherapist in Washington State and can be reached at caellach46@hotmail.com

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