Hypnosis and 'heavy metal': musical modalities for treating trauma

Journal of Heart Centered Therapies, Autumn, 2005 by Megan Elizabeth Cassano

Wake up

E) The fifth session, using the 'Preparation for Work' script, developed by the author, is designed to assist clients in the beginning stages of being able to identify what various emotions feel like, and why they arise. Different songs represent different shadow parts. Each person is assigned a 'sitter', for the purposes of writing down what is said, keeping the person safe, and offering reminders to breathe. After being taught how to breathe appropriately to incorporate the breathwork technique into the session, the clients are then guided into hypnosis. After anchoring their 'safe place', they are asked to shift into the role of an observer to see what comes up for them as they hear various songs, chosen to potentially trigger them (different songs represent various shadow parts).

SCRIPT: Preparation for Work

Induction

Deepening

Anchor a Favorite Place

"Begin breathing now in the way that we practiced; deep breathes in and out through your mouth. Any sounds you hear are just the normal, everyday sounds of living. They do not bother or disturb you in any way; they just serve to take you deeper and deeper. Let your breaths be like waves in the water; constant and unending. There are no gaps. Back and forth. As you exhale, you begin to inhale easily, feeling the breaths meet as they flow together back and forth, in and out.

"Now just allow yourself to be in a quiet place, using the words calm and relaxed, calm and relaxed to quiet any thoughts. You are safe to do the work that we are about to do. There is nothing that you can't handle here. You are safe and well protected. As you move through this process, see yourself as an observer and allow yourself to explore whatever feelings come up for you. Whenever anything comes up, tell your sitter so that he/she can write it down for you. This way, there will be a record so that we will be able to do more work at a later time. Don't try to think or remember; it's automatic. Your subconscious mind always knows where to go and will protect you."

Music to play:

1) "Send the Pain Below" by Chevelle

2) "Thoughtless" by Korn

3) "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day

4) "One Step Closer" by Linkin Park

5) "My Immortal" by Evanescence

6) "Sun Doesn't Rise" by Mushroomhead

7) "Colorblind" by Counting Crows

8) "Broken Home" by Papa Roach

9) "Bad Day" by Fuel

10) "Freaking Out" by Adema.

11) "Scars" by Papa Roach

Pause.

"Now allow yourself to find again your inner child. Imagine that this next song was sent to you directly as a message from your inner child. See him calling out to you as you move through this process."

12) "Wasted Time" by Skid Row

Pause.

"Now allow yourself to get in touch with the qualities of the strong adult who always cares for the inner child. Your friend (the sitter) is going to give you some affirmations to help you with this process. Just open up your heart and accept what your friend tells you; all of your wonderful qualities, really incorporating them into yourself."

13) "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera