More Positive Power of Words
Yes, I know I have been going crazy with posting today, but apparently I have a lot say. Today has been my sit-at-the-computer-and-enjoy-the-cyber-world day.
A topic we have touched on a bit this week is the verbal impact of words. It reminded me when I referred to Michael as a "subject" about a conversation we had a few months back (see "Verbal Impact"). We had discussed getting rid of the term "subject" (see "Throwing Out A Few Words"), which is why I mentioned all that. But today, I was also researching drug treatment plans and addiction counseling. I came across Stone Hawk, a facility offering those types of things. They do not refer to clients as "patients," but as "students" because they feel that these clients are learning a new way to live. Once the students "graduate," they are done. Finished. No need for weekly meetings or sponsors; they are considered fully recovered. Stone Hawk's drug treatment is apparently in the 70% success rate with their philosophies and teachings.
Talk about positive belief structures. I would be more apt to recommend clients to a program such as this rather than to a regular 12 step because it is closer to what we do as hypnotists. We deal with the problem, rather than drawing it out (painfully) so that clients can move on with their lives. Also, no drugs are used in the recovery process (for us or Stone Hawk). They choose to utilize natural detoxification. In looking at their program more carefully, it is a Narconon program, which was the brain child of L. Ron Hubbard, at least partially. Do not groan so loudly, please. Yes, he may have been the founder of Scientology, a photographer, a science fiction author, but he was also a hypnotist and had a great interest in health issues. I go through periods when I think he was a complete genius (even if I am not a Scientologist), but I am still on the cusp of my learning curve about him.
So when you put it all together, a positive program based in ridding clients of their drug and alcohol demons without using crutches or substitution, it makes total sense that someone of our ilk would be in the creation of such a program. The program does not treat clients as having a disease, but helps them learn how to function better in life. Also, this site offers a library of articles related to drug and alcohol (from their perspective) and a decent glossary of drug information (if you have a client coming to you for such things, its is always good to know more about what they have ingested).
And back to the point about the power of words. Hmmm. This is another example of the power of positive wording. Not "patients," but "students." Maybe this would be a great way to think of our clients?
Okay, I am now posting this and turning off the computer and heading to bed. Good night.
2 comments:
Please tell me why you say Ron Hubbard was a hypnotist? The official Scientology view of hypnosis is that it is dangerous, like all methods of therapy of counseling except their own, which is called auditing.
Thanks for asking.
Perhaps I should not have called him a hypnotist. I suspect in his later years he would be quite upset with that characterization.
Though he was noted as saying that hypnotism "is dangerous and belongs in the parlor in the same way you
would want an atom bomb there," he seemed to have many varying beliefs for which it should be used. (Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health by L. Ron Hubbard, p.57) And his visions changed through out his life. In Dianetics he also mentioned that hypnosis was a good research tool and (ibid, p.385) that he "used an awful lot of hypnotism in early research" ("Methods of Research - the
Thetan as an Energy Unit", Hubbard lecture, 6 November 1952). This is why I called him a hypnotist. I am sorry if I offended anyone.
As for what current Scientology has to say about hypnosis and counseling apart form their own "auditing," if they believe a doctrine of some sort that preaches against hypnosis and counseling and this belief works for them, so be it. I am not at all versed in Scientology, just fascinated by its founder, so I can not really speak about the religion. Too each his own.
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