(This blog was originally posted on May 31,
2016)
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| Photo by Rick Hustead |
Hypnotherapy is an extremely effective tool to help manage anger and
frustration. However, dealing with domestic violence is another situation
entirely. This abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional violence; bleeding
and other indications of physical battery do not have to be evident for the
negative behavior to be classified as abuse. Furthermore, it can be directed against
spouses (wives and husbands), the
elderly, children, etc. Examples of such violence include spousal abuse, child
abuse, incest and rape.
The underlying “cause” or subconscious motivation of the abuse is for
the abuser to gain or feel power over and control the victim. For example, the
person may threaten or actually withhold access to money/finances, intimidate
with coercion or threats, humiliate or “guilt” the victim, isolate from friends
or other family members, minimize the effects of the abuse/deny it happened, prevent
access to kids/deny visitation, use “male privilege,” etc. Whether the duration
of this cycle is long (e.g., lasts weeks or months) or short (e.g., lasts hours
or days), it usually escalates and can have deadly consequences for the victim.
Following is an outline of the typical pattern or cycle that violence is expressed.
Phase 1: Building
Tension
Stress
Frustration
Low
Self-esteem
Poor
Communication
Phase 2: Explosion/Losing
Control
Fight
Anger
Fear
Phase 3: Honeymoon/Loving
& Remorse Stage
Guilt
Remorse
Promises: “I’ll never do it again!”
Unfortunately, these patterns are more likely than not to be repeated unless there is an intervention to break this cycle of violence once and for all.
Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist
based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation
Institute in 2005. For more
information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an
appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
© 2017
