What are some anti-therapy programs that survivors should be on the lookout for and how to deal with them if they’re triggered? And do you have any recommendations for good therapists who are educated on RA/MC and offer secular therapy?
Also, what are your thoughts on hypnosis as a memory recovery tool? I’ve heard it can distort memories or create false ones. Would it be better for survivors to avoid therapists who use this method or can it be done safely?
Some of the programs that could impact therapy are:
Silence-Shut Down Programs-When enacted, such programs will cause the subject to "stop talking" and to cease revealing information. Though such programs may be triggered through awide variety of modalities, enactment via self-touch triggers are particularly common. Some shutdown programs will be directed toward specific alters, while others are meant for the system in general. Silence Programming- no talk programming.
Burning Programs-Burning programs are linked to Silence programs, and self punishment programs. Common modes of burning include: cigarettes, lighters, hot metal implements (i.e., knives, rods, wands), and/or a variety of scalding (or flammable) liquids and caustic chemicals.
Don’t Talk; Don’t Tell Programming- Triggers flooding, body memories, spinning programs if the subject attempts to talk about programming.
Nightmare-Night Terror Programs- Similar to flooding programs, subjects are conditioned to become overwhelmed with terrifying images/memories while asleep. They serve to keep the subject run-down and fatigued. Often, nightmare programs are triggered or tripped automatically when processing forbidden material in therapy.
Reporting Programs-Subjects are programmed to routinely contact and report back to their handler. These programs may be time-triggered (every month, full moon, etc.), date-triggered(i.e., corresponding to cult "holidays", etc.), or situational triggered (i.e., host personality enters therapy, reveals cult "secrets," etc.). Such programs keep the handler updated on the subject’s daily life.
Spin Programming-Designed to spread effects such as pain, painful emotions, and other feelings or urges globally throughout a subject’s personality system for purposes of either designing and building a young subject's personality system, or harassing older subjects and disrupting psychotherapy.
Therapy Interference Programs-Programs designed to interfere with the therapeutic process which trigger the subject to: (1) not see, (2) not think for self, (3) stay distracted, and (4) become resistant, mistrustful, and/or obnoxious toward the therapist.
Abreaction programming- Gives the subject topics to talk about in therapy or with other outside individuals who may be attempting to assist the subject.
The survivor may not know the programming is triggered during therapy. Often people leave therapy due to the programming feeling overwhelming and attributing it to therapy being ‘too much.’
I suggest working with a therapist to identify when a program has been triggered. This could be by identifying the symptoms of the program (cement mouth, feeling dizzy, flooding).
Focusing on safety. How to cope with the program. Ways to communicate. How to stay engaged in healing.
Some resources are:
Freedom of Mind
Treatment Centres for MPD/DID
Directory Of Cult Recovery Resources
I think hypnosis isn’t a good tool to use for those who live with dissociation.
Oz
