Hypnotic Regression Therapy (HRT)
A Mixed Method Phenomenological Study
Exploring the Correlates between HRT, Altered States of Consciousness, and Transpersonal Psychology
David Furlong PhD
Abstract – This article explores Hypnotic Regression Therapy (HRT) as a therapeutic modality that leverages Altered States of Consciousness (ASC) to enhance individuals’ sense of well-being and personal transformation. Using a mixed-methods phenomenological approach, the study investigates the lived experiences of participants who underwent HRT sessions, focusing on their motivations, session dynamics, and outcomes. HRT integrates principles from transpersonal psychology and hypnotherapy to access subconscious material, often revealing symbolic, episodic, or archetypal content.
Key findings highlight the diverse therapeutic benefits of HRT, including emotional healing, spiritual growth, and increased self-awareness. Participants reported significant improvements in psychological well-being, with experiences ranging from symbolic resolutions of trauma to transcendental encounters with higher states of consciousness. Despite scepticism about past-life regression and concerns over the reliability of hypnotically retrieved memories, the study underscores HRT’s potential to address complex psychological and existential issues.
The article calls for further empirical research to validate HRT’s therapeutic efficacy and deepen its integration into academic and clinical practice, emphasizing its unique contributions to the field of transpersonal psychology.
Keywords: Hypnotic Regression Therapy; Altered States of Consciousness
Introduction
This article provides a brief summary of my current PhD research project into Hypnotic Regression Therapy. The research investigates the question: “What impact does Hypnotic Regression Therapy (HRT), through inducement of altered states of consciousness (ASC), have on an individual’s perceived sense of wholeness and well-being?” It positions HRT as distinct from traditional therapies due to its reliance on ASCs, which are achieved through hypnotic induction. Despite scepticism within academic circles, the research highlights the transformative potential of HRT sessions.
Drawing on over 25 years of practice and extensive client interactions, the author asserts the significance of HRT in personal transformation and transpersonal psychology. HRT often operates at the interface of ego self, subpersonalities, and spiritual or metaphysical constructs, including the soul. These experiences are framed through the lens of phenomenology and quantum mechanics, suggesting consciousness as a universal essence.
Literature Review.
This outline literature review delves into the theoretical, historical, and empirical foundations of Hypnotic Regression Therapy (HRT) and its connection to Altered States of Consciousness (ASC) and transpersonal psychology. It addresses the origins, evolution, challenges, and contemporary debates surrounding HRT. The discussion provides context for understanding the transformative potential of HRT and highlights critical gaps in academic recognition and empirical validation.
- Hypnotic Regression Therapy (HRT)
HRT emerged as a specialized branch of hypnotherapy, incorporating techniques to regress individuals into earlier life stages, including childhood and, controversially, past lives. Its origins trace back to the broader field of hypnotism, a therapeutic practice that gained prominence in the 18th century with Anton Mesmer. Mesmer’s theories of “animal magnetism” and healing through trance states laid the groundwork for modern hypnosis.
In the mid-20th century, researchers like Denis Kelsey (2007) began using regression techniques to explore buried memories, childhood trauma, and somatic symptoms that could not be explained through conventional medical diagnoses. Over time, HRT expanded to include experiences that participants identified as past-life memories or pre-birth states, contributing to debates about reincarnation and the metaphysical dimensions of the psyche.
- Core Principles:
- Episodic Memory: HRT aims to access episodic memory, which allows individuals to relive past experiences vividly rather than merely recalling them.
- Symbolism and Archetypes: Many regression experiences involve symbolic imagery or archetypal characters that may reflect inner conflicts or unresolved traumas.
- Subpersonalities: HRT practitioners often encounter inner characters or subpersonalities (e.g., “inner child,” “higher self”) that manifest during sessions.
Therapeutic Contexts
HRT has been applied in various contexts, including:
- Addressing childhood trauma.
- Managing somatic or psychological symptoms resistant to other treatments.
- Facilitating existential exploration or spiritual growth.
- Exploring unresolved grief or phobias.
- Altered States of Consciousness (ASC)
The concept of ASC is central to HRT, serving as the mechanism through which individuals access subconscious material. Defined by Simöes (2002) as “a deviation in subjective experience or psychological functioning from general norms,” ASCs can occur naturally (e.g., during dreaming) or be induced intentionally through practices like meditation, hypnosis, or psychoactive substances.
Characteristics of ASC
- Brainwave Activity: During ASCs, brain activity typically shifts into alpha and theta wave states, associated with relaxation and creativity.
- Immersive Experience: ASCs often involve vivid imagery, heightened sensory awareness, and a sense of timelessness.
- Critical Awareness: Despite the dreamlike quality of ASCs, participants often maintain a level of critical engagement, enabling them to interpret and process their experiences.
Applications in Therapy
ASCs are not unique to HRT but are integral to several therapeutic modalities:
- Hypnotherapy: Utilizes ASCs to access subconscious beliefs and behaviours.
- Holotropic Breathwork: Combines breathing techniques and music to induce non-ordinary states for emotional healing.
- Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Uses substances like psilocybin or ayahuasca to facilitate profound psychological and spiritual insights.
The therapeutic value of ASCs lies in their ability to bypass conscious resistance, enabling individuals to confront suppressed emotions, memories, or symbolic representations of their inner conflicts.
- Historical Development of HRT
The history of HRT reflects broader trends in psychology, spiritual exploration, and scepticism toward metaphysical claims. While its therapeutic applications are acknowledged, its association with controversial concepts like past-life regression has fuelled criticism.
Early Hypnotism
- Anton Mesmer (18th Century): Introduced the idea of using trance states for healing, although his theories of magnetism lacked scientific validation.
- James Braid (19th Century): Coined the term “hypnosis” and redefined it as a psychological rather than mystical phenomenon, laying the groundwork for scientific exploration.
Emergence of Regression Therapy
- Sigmund Freud: Experimented with hypnosis to access repressed memories but later abandoned it for psychoanalysis, citing resistance among clients.
- Denis Kelsey: Expanded the scope of hypnosis to include regression, demonstrating its utility in uncovering and resolving childhood traumas.
Past-Life Regression
In the mid-20th century, practitioners like Helen Wambach (1978) and Michael Newton (2004) began exploring past-life regression, reporting cases where clients claimed to relive experiences from previous lifetimes. These findings sparked interest in the spiritual dimensions of HRT but also attracted scepticism due to the lack of empirical evidence supporting reincarnation.
- Challenges and Criticism
Philosophical Criticism
The primary philosophical critique of HRT stems from its association with concepts like reincarnation and metaphysical constructs, which lack empirical validation. Critics argue that such experiences are subjective and potentially influenced by suggestion or cultural narratives.
Memory and Hypnosis
Research on memory has highlighted the fragility of recall under hypnosis, raising concerns about the reliability of regression experiences:
- False Memories: Hypnosis may lead to confabulation, where individuals construct memories based on therapist suggestions or cultural expectations.
- Cryptomnesia: Participants may unknowingly recall information from books, films, or conversations, mistaking it for original past-life experiences.
Notable studies include:
- Spanos et al. (1991): Found that past-life memories could be artificially induced through suggestion.
- Pyun (2015): Demonstrated the feasibility of planting false memories of past lives in hypnotized participants.
Scientific Scrutiny
In a Delphi poll conducted by Norcross et al. (2006), past-life regression was labelled as “discredited” for addressing mental health disorders. Critics emphasized the need for rigorous standards to differentiate legitimate therapeutic outcomes from pseudoscience.
- Supporting Evidence and Studies
Despite the criticisms, a growing body of research and anecdotal evidence highlights the therapeutic potential of HRT:
- Ahluwalia & Gopinath (2012): Reported positive outcomes among graduate students undergoing regression, including insights into personal challenges and improved well-being.
- Woods & Barušs (2004): Found that regression experiences enhanced participants’ awareness of transcendent aspects of life, though no direct evidence supported past-life claims.
- Fenn (2020): Surveyed clients and reported significant improvements in physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being after HRT sessions.
These studies suggest that HRT’s therapeutic value may stem from the cathartic release and self-reflection facilitated by ASCs, regardless of whether past-life memories are genuine.
- The Memory Wars and False Memory Syndrome
The “memory wars” of the 1990s brought intense scrutiny to therapeutic methods that relied on memory retrieval. Critics argued that memories retrieved under hypnosis were unreliable and potentially harmful. The controversy surrounding False Memory Syndrome (FMS) further marginalized HRT within academic psychology, leading to its classification as a fringe practice.
Counterarguments
Proponents of HRT argue that:
- The therapeutic benefits of regression therapy are not contingent on the objective accuracy of retrieved memories.
- Symbolic or imaginal experiences can still provide valuable insights and healing, even if they are not literal representations of past events.
- Contemporary Context and Applications
HRT continues to evolve, supported by organizations like the Past-Life Regression Academy and the Earth Association for Regression Therapy (EARTh). While academic institutions remain sceptical, practitioners report growing interest in HRT as a tool for:
- Exploring spiritual dimensions of consciousness.
- Healing psychological trauma through symbolic resolution.
- Enhancing self-awareness and personal growth.
The document concludes that further empirical research is necessary to bridge the gap between anecdotal success and scientific validation, ensuring that HRT can gain recognition as a legitimate therapeutic practice.
Analysis of Data
This brief analysis of data on the findings from the initial qualitative interviews conducted with three participants who underwent Hypnotic Regression Therapy (HRT). The study’s phenomenological approach focuses on understanding the lived experiences of these individuals, capturing their pre-session motivations, HRT session details, and post-session outcomes. The data were systematically coded and analysed using qualitative software (Quirkos), and key themes emerged that shed light on the transformative potential of HRT and the interplay of altered states of consciousness (ASC) in therapeutic contexts.
- Research Questions
The interviews were designed to address the following primary research questions:
- What is the nature of the HRT experience, including preparation, the ASC itself, and its immediate aftermath?
- What are the reasons or motivations behind seeking HRT?
- What are the perceived outcomes or long-term impacts of HRT on the individual’s life and well-being?
Supplementary questions explored how participants might refine their HRT experience in hindsight and whether additional reflections surfaced after the initial interview.
- Participant Summaries and Session Descriptions
AJ (Interview 1)
- Background: AJ, a young mother from the UK, sought HRT to address unresolved childhood trauma and explore her identity. She was also curious about past lives, which she hoped might provide insight into her current challenges.
- HRT Experience:
- AJ’s session began with the therapist inducing relaxation, which allowed her to enter an ASC. Her inner journey started in a desert landscape with pyramidal shapes and vibrant street scenes.
- She encountered an idealized version of herself, embodying health, confidence, and happiness—qualities she aspired to integrate.
- Symbolic imagery, such as bustling markets and mountainous terrains, emerged during the session, prompting AJ to interpret these elements as connections to her Moroccan ancestry, later confirmed by DNA tests.
- Outcomes:
- AJ described the experience as empowering, motivating her to pursue a PhD. The visualization of her idealized self-provided a powerful framework for personal transformation.
- A recurring image of whales during her session and childhood emerged as a comforting symbol of protection, deepening her sense of spiritual connection.
Rainer (Interview 2)
- Background: Rainer, a therapist-in-training from Eastern Europe, approached HRT as a tool for spiritual exploration and personal growth. He had prior experience with regression therapy as part of his professional development.
- HRT Experience:
- Rainer’s session transitioned from a mundane setting—his role as a leader in a Russian town—to an ethereal, disembodied plane.
- In this transcendent state, he encountered a feminine presence of light, who imparted profound insights into the nature of love, suffering, and existence.
- The ASC was characterized by intense visual and emotional phenomena, described as almost psychedelic.
- Outcomes:
- While not life-altering, the session contributed to Rainer’s spiritual awareness, reinforcing his belief in interconnectedness and the transcendent dimensions of human experience.
- His reflections suggested that ASC might serve as a gateway to universal truths, independent of specific therapeutic goals.
Andrea (Interview 3)
- Background: Andrea, an Irish woman in her 50s, sought HRT during an existential crisis. Struggling with feelings of rejection, she hoped to find clarity and healing through the session.
- HRT Experience:
- Andrea entered a profoundly relaxed state, visualizing four “cinema screens” displaying scenes from what she identified as past lives. These included:
- A disfigured leper ostracized by society.
- A young girl drowning with a rock tied to her ankle.
- Each scenario symbolized themes of rejection and abandonment, which resonated with her present life struggles.
- Andrea entered a profoundly relaxed state, visualizing four “cinema screens” displaying scenes from what she identified as past lives. These included:
- Outcomes:
- Andrea’s session validated her spiritual worldview, affirming the existence of a transcendent self beyond physical limitations.
- She linked her lifelong struggle with lymphedema in her right foot to the drowning scene, interpreting it as a manifestation of unresolved past-life trauma.
- The experience facilitated greater self-acceptance and emotional resilience, though the physical condition persisted.
- Emerging Themes
Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed several recurring patterns:
- Motivations for HRT
- Trauma Resolution: Participants like AJ and Andrea sought HRT to address unresolved emotional pain or traumatic memories.
- Spiritual Exploration: Rainer’s motivation centred on existential questions and spiritual growth, demonstrating HRT’s appeal beyond clinical therapy.
- Curiosity and Self-Discovery: AJ’s curiosity about past lives highlights HRT’s potential as a tool for personal insight and identity formation.
- Induction of ASC
The induction process, involving relaxation and visualization, played a crucial role in facilitating access to subconscious material:
- Symbolic Visualization: Participants experienced richly detailed inner landscapes (e.g., AJ’s desert, Andrea’s cinema screens), which acted as portals for subconscious exploration.
- Critical Awareness: Despite being in ASCs, participants retained the ability to analyse and question their experiences, demonstrating a balance between immersion and self-awareness.
- Emotional Reactions and Embodiment
Participants’ emotional and physical responses varied significantly:
- Embodiment: AJ’s encounter with an idealized version of herself was profoundly visceral, reinforcing her sense of agency and self-worth.
- Disembodiment: Rainer described a transcendent state of floating consciousness, emphasizing universal connections over personal identity.
- Symbolism: Andrea’s past-life visions illuminated the emotional roots of her struggles with rejection and physical ailments.
- Therapeutic Outcomes
All participants reported meaningful benefits from their sessions:
- Empowerment and Motivation: AJ’s session inspired academic and personal ambitions.
- Spiritual Validation: Rainer and Andrea found affirmation of their spiritual beliefs, enhancing their sense of purpose and connection.
- Healing and Integration: Andrea gained tools to manage her emotional challenges and better understand her physical condition.
- Coding and Analysis Techniques
The use of Quirkos qualitative data analysis software facilitated systematic coding of interview transcripts. Key steps included:
- Initial Coding: Segments of text were categorized into themes such as “emotional reactions,” “spiritual insights,” and “symbolism.”
- Theme Development: Codes were clustered into broader themes (e.g., “embodiment” and “critical awareness”) to identify patterns across participants.
- Comparative Analysis: Themes were compared to evaluate commonalities and differences in participants’ experiences.
Example Insights:
- AJ’s emotional journey showed an initial mix of nervousness and excitement, shifting to empowerment post-session.
- Rainer’s experience highlighted the therapeutic potential of disembodied states, contrasting with Andrea’s embodied struggles.
- Implications for Future Research
The analysis suggests significant therapeutic and exploratory potential for HRT:
- Tailored Approaches: Individual differences in ASC responses underscore the need for personalized therapeutic strategies.
- Role of Symbolism: The prominence of symbolic imagery in HRT warrants further investigation into its psychological and spiritual significance.
- Integration of Findings: Long-term follow-ups could illuminate how participants integrate their HRT experiences into daily life.
Conclusion
The three analysed interviews demonstrate that HRT, mediated through ASCs, offers a unique pathway for psychological healing, spiritual exploration, and personal growth. The distinctiveness of each participant’s experience underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of HRT, emphasizing its potential as a transformative therapeutic modality. This brief report touches into the qualitative experience of three of the studies of fifteen participants. It will be backed up by quantitative research during 2025.
References
Ahluwalia, H., & Gopinath, J. K. (2012). Subjective experience of past-life regression. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2(6), 39-45.
Fenn, P. (2020). Research report on the EARTh Special Interest Survey. International Journal of Regression Therapy. 27
Kelsey, D. (2007). Now and Then: Reincarnation, Psychiatry and Daily Life. Trencaval Press.
Newton, M. (2004). Life between lives: Hypnotherapy for spiritual regression. Llewellyn Publications.
Norcross, J., Koocher, G., & Garofalo, A. (2006). Discredited psychological treatments and tests: A Delphi poll. Professional Psychology: Research And Practice, 37(5), 515-522. https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.37.5.515
Pyun, Y. (2015). Creating past-life identity in hypnotic regression. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 63(3), 365-372.
Simðes, M. (2002). Altered States of Consciousness and Psychotherapy. A Cross-Cultural Perspective. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 21(1), 145-152. https://doi.org/10.24972/ijts.2002.21.1.145
Spanos, N., Menary, E., Gabora, N., DuBreuil, S., & et al. (1991). Secondary identity enactments during hypnotic past-life regression: A sociocognitive perspective. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 61(2), 308-320. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.61.2.308
Wambach, H. (1978/2000). Reliving Past Lives: The Evidence under Hypnosis. Barnes and Noble Books.
Woods, K., & Barušs, I. (2004). Experimental test of possible psychological benefits of past-life regression. Journal of Scientific Exploration, 18(4), 597.