PAUSE Model of Hypnotherapy
PAUSE as a Comprehensive Hypnotherapeutic Model
Clients appear to seek hypnotherapy as a focused solution to a specific problem, such as pain and addiction management, as well as for personal growth. What is really happening is they are experiencing a form of fragmentation as previously described by Bohm and others, and wish to heal it. Separated from their sense of wholeness, they have temporarily lost the ability to recognize and utilize the deep resources of a resilient ego and the Essential Self. Traditional models of healing often focus on limited aspects of the individual. However, by labeling and therefore fragmenting illness and emotional imbalances into a multitude of categories, it is difficult or impossible to address the underlying issues. By addressing only symptoms or the labels, a gap is created in both the perception of the individual by others, and the individual’s perception of themselves. Fragmentation ensues.
What is missing is a comprehensive system that not only addresses the presenting issue, but also supports the hypnotherapist and deepens the client’s resources. A curriculum is needed to teach the hypnotherapist how to provide the insight, resourcing, and resiliency needed to improve the client’s life and support them in attaining their immediate and long-term goals. The client as a result should be empowered with the resources and skills necessary to continue their own self-inquiry and growth outside the therapeutic relationship. The PAUSE Model of Hypnotherapy has been specifically designed to meet these needs.
PAUSE is an acronym that defines five essential resource states that chart a Path to Wholeness through deeper levels of embodiment, personal awareness, physiological balance, guidance, and fulfillment. Through the understanding and application of Character Analysis and the Enneagram, the PAUSE Model of Hypnotherapy informs the hypnotherapist how to identify and address the underlying factors contributing to the individual’s current challenges. In addition, key Trauma Resolution techniques support the hypnotherapist in recognizing and transforming traumatic disruptions in the body/mind continuum, which are often influencing or even masking other imbalances.
These three arenas of knowledge, Character Analysis, the Enneagram, and Trauma Resolution, come together in the PAUSE Model in a unique and powerful way. Individually they inform us about important aspects of a person, and show us where they may be unconsciously limiting themselves. They are maps of identity; in other words, how they have taken themselves to be. Collectively they give us a way of holistically perceiving where they have been, what they are currently doing, and support building a comprehensive path to wholeness and fulfillment.
By incorporating the PAUSE Model, the hypnotherapist creates powerful resources and gently exposes and challenges the self-perpetuating, fear-based identifications that impede self-awareness and personal fulfillment. They assist their clients in seeing themselves through a gentle mirror of self-discovery. Every step along the way builds important resources that the client learns to use regularly and consistently. The development of these rich inner resources enable the client to safely and effectively pursue self-inquiry as they begin to see themselves without the distortions of occluded perception.
Resourced and able to see themselves with changeless compassion, a new level of recognition arises. They look for the deeper meaning and the underlying lesson each opportunity life presents. Ancient wounds are healed as people, places and events are recast in a new light. Their desire to expand grows, as does their capacity to give and receive love.
Previous goals are evaluated through a holistic perspective that opens a door in consciousness to a willingness and capacity to surrender to a greater Self. Objects, status, and acquisition of anything in excess is seen for what it represents to the ego, an idol that offers empty comfort. This next logical step in personal evolution requires changing how we perceive the nature of our mind. A Course in Miracles (1976) points at the depth of this new perception. “This places you in a position of needing to learn a lesson that seems contradictory; – you must learn to change your mind about your mind” (T-7.V.7.8). No longer fooled by the ego’s false idols and empty promises, untouched by life’s dramas, the simple choice to be happy instead of helping the ego be right, changes everything. The peace and comfort of the Essential Self is now E-Evoked, and becomes the internalized, ultimate resource state.
