Autogenic training
What is Autogenic training?
Autogenic training is a technique of conscious relaxation, first developed in the twenties by a German doctor, Johannes Schultz. In the fifties, Dr Wolfgang Luthe introduced it to Canada, where it was used extensively by the stress expert Hans Selye. It was eventually brought to the UK by Dr Malcolm Carruthers.
Autogenic training was originally developed as the answer to meditation and is related to 'self hypnosis'. It is a simple, self help, non drug approach for clients with stress related conditions, and once learnt, it facilitates the body's remarkable capacity for healing and rebalancing (homeostasis) and can be practised anytime, anywhere.
Autogenic training differs from ordinary relaxation techniques because it brings to the surface deeply hidden anxieties and tensions. However, the first four sessions are designed to reduce feelings of anxiety by rebalancing the brain, by calming the flight and fight system that is in override. It is much easier to deal with the cognitive distortions and obsessive ruminations that result from them once the body/mind is rebalanced. Emotional offloading exercises of anger, anxiety and grief are introduced in the fifth session. These exercises assist in taking extremes of behaviour down to normal acceptable levels for the client which maximizes the functions of their body.
How can Autogenic training help with an addiction?
A cigarette can be described as pleasurable, but is in fact fulfilling the physical addiction of the user. By blocking the effects of anxiety, the physical dependency of the smoker on the substance itself, becomes an overwhelming factor in the continuation of use. So the first point of treatment needs to be the reduction of the persons anxiety, then once the triggers have be recognized, the cessation of smoking begins.
A client presenting with an addiction to smoking will start with the first four sessions of Autogenic Training, which will enable the client to reduce feelings of anxiety by rebalancing the brain. Once the anxiety is more contained the client is introduced to the emotional offloading exercises.
Patients with eating disorders can successfully be treated with this same non-drug approach used in patients with chemical addiction disorders.
The benefits of Autogenic training
- Helps you reach a profound level of relaxation.
- Reduces anxiety and panic attacks
- Significantly improves sleep quality
- Increases confidence and self-esteem
- Reduces severity of mild or moderate depression
- Rebalances and re-energises the whole system
- Switches off the body's stress patterns: anxiety, fear or panic attacks.
Autogenic training
- Is taught by a qualified therapist, generally on a one to one basis, in a standardised, structured course of 8 weekly sessions, each lasting 1 hour. (Can be taught in groups of up to 8 clients)
- It consists of a series of simple easily learned mental exercises, which link mind and body together in association with deep relaxation.
- These exercises allow the mind to calm itself by switching off the body's stress responses. (Adrenaline/Cortisol)
The stress in our lives is now so great and so insidious that more and more people are making the deliberate decision to understand it better and to bring it under personal control. They realize the futility of waiting for someone else to make things better for them. Autogenic training offers everyone a simple, self help non drug approach to addressing the stress and addictions in our hurried, busy world today.
About the author
Jane Plimsoll is an Autogenic Therapist. Born and brought up in Johannesburg, South Africa, she qualified as a general nurse. She then moved to Cape Town to do midwifery. After qualifying she spent time at the blood transfusion service, and finally enjoyed time working in pharmaceutical sales before taking a career break to bring up her two sons. It was during this period that she got divorced, and became involved in courses run for divorcees and started counselling couples experiencing relationship problems. She remarried 10 years ago and moved to the UK with her sons to join her husband. She went into the pharmaceutical field again and her interest in anxiety and depression was provoked. She was simultaneously training as a Relate counsellor and was introduced to the practise of Autogenic Training and subsequently qualified as an Autogenic Therapist.
She has had her own practice in Haywards Heath for the last 2 years and offers counselling for couples with relationship problems and Autogenic Training for people suffering with anxiety, depression, insomnia, unresolved grief and addictions.
Tel. 01444 474336 (o) or 07710 372858 (m)
Email: plimsoll@btinternet.com
www.autogenic-therapy.org.uk
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