Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a treatment approach which helps people to understand their emotions and actions. It is helpful for a number of psychological disorders, but some people find that it is helpful to see a therapist at certain times of their lives because they feel that they need some support to help them cope better in their every day lives.

 

Psychotherapy is, like hypnotherapy, a two-way approach. Some individuals are able to deal with their difficulties on their own or with the support of friends and family; but, when this is insufficient, and when individuals still feel troubled, it is helpful to go to speak to a therapist. The therapeutic situation is very different from a normal conversation with a friend. The therapist is trained to listen and devote his attention towards the client. Clients are given space to explore their emotions, and this helps them to cope better in their own lives-they also find that their social interactions become more meaningful and that they are able to fulfil their potential in various ways.

 

Essentially, one can divide the mind into three parts. The first part is the conscious mind which comprises information, feelings and memories of which we are aware; next, is the preconscious, which is information, feelings and memories that, with careful exploration, can be brought to the surface; and, finally, there is the unconscious, which consists of information, feelings and memories that are hidden. Very often, painful memories, particularly in childhood, are hidden from our conscious awareness-this is known as repression. The aim of the therapy, in many instances, is to bring these repressed memories to the conscious mind, and to work through these powerful feelings. On occasions, it is sometimes helpful to analyze dreams. The interpretation of dreams is important in therapy, because the symbols represent highly complex wish fulfilments-unconscious desires which have not been censored by the conscious mind.

 

Often in psychotherapy, these deep-rooted and painful experiences are released and transferred onto the therapist. This is known as transference. This important component in the therapy has a releasing effect for the client, but, often, the individual will need a lot of support at this time. It is important to note that, unlike psychoanalysts who tend to focus on early childhood, David Kraft will be guided by the client to work through any problems that may be significant, be they from the distant past, from relatively recent events, or from events that are causing concern in the present day. And, although he works in the transference, he provides his clients with unconditional support throughout the treatment. This treatment approach-essentially psychodynamic psychotherapy combined with hypnosis-has been carefully designed to focus on the unique needs of each client.

Integrative Psychotherapy

David Kraft uses an integrative approach which, in this case, combines psychotherapy with hypnosis. On some occasions, he will use psychotherapy on its own; the preferred method will be discussed at the consultation interview. David Kraft believes that, in many cases, it is important to deal with the underlying conflicts which cause the condition. He, therefore, combines hypnosis with psychodynamic psychotherapy. Some researchers refer to this as Hypno-Psychotherapy. 

Free Association

Developed by Freud, free association is the process by which clients speak freely about their problems, reflections and emotions; it is through this process that clients are able to resolve inner conflicts and find more adaptive ways of leading heir lives. David Kraft firmly believes that, as soon as the session starts, clients should be allowed the space to talk about whatever they want-past, present or future. Free association can be done in the psychotherapy or during the hypnotherapy (a process often referred to as hypnotic Free Association). Free association can also been done in private. David Kraft will guide clients to explore their own feelings in the hypnosis; in this instance, no interpretation needs to be made, and clients will be given the opportunity to resolve conflicts in their own unique way.