Author Archives: Shervan K Shahhian, LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, The Most Comprehensive Online Library Regarding Mental Health, Psychology and Parapsychology in the World.

What is Guided affective imagery?

Guided affective imagery is a therapeutic technique used in psychotherapy to help individuals explore their emotions and thoughts. This technique involves the use of guided visualization or imagination exercises to help individuals access and process their emotions in a safe and controlled manner.

During a guided affective imagery session, a therapist may ask the individual to imagine a specific scenario or experience that is relevant to their emotional state. The individual is then guided through a visualization exercise that helps them to explore and process their emotions related to that scenario.

This technique is often used in the treatment of conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Guided affective imagery can help individuals to develop coping skills and increase their emotional awareness, leading to improved mental health and wellbeing.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Habit reversal training?

Habit Reversal Training (HRT) is a form of behavioral therapy that aims to help individuals change a habitual behavior or repetitive behavior. It is particularly effective for disorders that involve repetitive behaviors, such as hair pulling (trichotillomania), skin picking (excoriation disorder), and nail-biting.

HRT is based on the principle of awareness training, which involves making the individual more aware of the triggers that lead to the habit and the habit itself. The individual is then taught to replace the habit with a more desirable behavior.

The main components of HRT include:

Awareness training: The individual is taught to become more aware of their triggers and the behavior they want to change.

Competing response training: The individual learns to replace the habit with a more desirable behavior that is incompatible with the habit.

Social support: Family and friends are involved in the process to provide support and reinforcement.

Generalization training: The individual is taught to apply the techniques learned in therapy to different situations and environments.

Overall, HRT is an effective treatment for individuals who struggle with repetitive behaviors, and it can help individuals regain control over their lives and improve their overall well-being.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Hakomi?

Hakomi is a body-centered psychotherapy approach that combines mindfulness, experiential techniques, and a focus on present-moment experience to support personal growth and healing. The word “Hakomi” comes from a Hopi Indian word that means “Who are you?” or “How do you stand in relation to the many realms?”.

Developed by Ron Kurtz in the 1970s, Hakomi is based on the idea that our beliefs, memories, and experiences are stored in our bodies as well as our minds. The approach emphasizes the importance of accessing and working with these embodied experiences in order to gain insight into our patterns of behavior and emotional reactions.

In Hakomi therapy, the therapist and client work together to create a safe and compassionate space for exploration and discovery. Mindfulness is used to help the client become more aware of their present-moment experience, including their bodily sensations, emotions, and thoughts. Experiential techniques, such as guided imagery, role-playing, and somatic (body) awareness exercises, are used to explore and process past experiences and current issues.

Hakomi is a non-invasive, non-judgmental approach that aims to help clients understand their own experience more deeply, make conscious choices, and develop new and more effective ways of relating to themselves and others.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is the Heimler method?

The Heimler Method is a coaching and counseling approach that helps individuals overcome self-limiting beliefs, emotional barriers, and other obstacles that prevent them from reaching their full potential.

Developed by Dr. Michael Heimler, the Heimler Method combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoanalysis, and existentialism to help clients gain insight into their behaviors, feelings, and beliefs. The method aims to help clients recognize their strengths and weaknesses, understand their patterns of thinking and behavior, and develop strategies for achieving their goals.

The Heimler Method is typically delivered through individual coaching sessions, but it can also be applied in group settings or organizational contexts. The approach is holistic and client-centered, meaning that the coaching process is tailored to the unique needs and goals of each individual. Some of the techniques used in the Heimler Method include visualization exercises, journaling, and goal-setting activities, among others.

Overall, the Heimler Method is designed to empower individuals to take charge of their lives and make meaningful changes that allow them to achieve their full potential.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Hip hop therapy?

Hip hop therapy is a form of therapy that uses hip hop culture and music as a way to engage with individuals and groups in a therapeutic setting. It involves the use of rap lyrics, music, dance, and other hip hop elements to help individuals express themselves, process their emotions, and work through personal challenges.

The goal of hip hop therapy is to empower individuals and promote positive change by creating a safe and supportive environment where they can explore their thoughts and feelings through creative expression. It can be used to address a wide range of issues, including mental health problems, substance abuse, trauma, and social and emotional difficulties.

Hip hop therapy is often used in community-based settings, such as schools, community centers, and juvenile justice facilities, to engage young people who may be resistant to traditional forms of therapy. It is based on the idea that hip hop culture provides a unique opportunity to connect with individuals in a way that is culturally relevant and meaningful to them.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Holotropic breathwork?

Holotropic Breathwork is a therapeutic approach that uses deep, rapid breathing techniques to access altered states of consciousness for healing and self-exploration. The term “holotropic” means “moving toward wholeness,” and this method was developed by Stanislav Grof, a psychiatrist who studied the use of non-ordinary states of consciousness in therapy.

During a Holotropic Breathwork session, participants lie down and breathe deeply and rapidly for an extended period of time while listening to music that is specifically designed to induce altered states of consciousness. This process can bring up a range of emotions and experiences, including physical sensations, memories, and insights.

The theory behind Holotropic Breathwork is that these altered states of consciousness can help individuals access and heal unresolved psychological and emotional issues, as well as provide a greater sense of self-awareness and spiritual connection. While some people have reported transformative experiences through Holotropic Breathwork, it is important to note that this approach is not suitable for everyone and should only be undertaken with the guidance of a trained facilitator.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Holding therapy?

Holding therapy is a controversial form of therapy that involves the physical restraint of a person, typically a child, by a therapist or caregiver. The aim of holding therapy is to create a strong bond between the therapist and the child and to help the child work through past traumatic experiences or emotional issues.

During holding therapy sessions, the child is held tightly by the therapist, often in a prone position, for an extended period of time. The therapist may also use verbal reassurances or soothing techniques to help the child relax and feel safe.

However, there is significant controversy surrounding the use of holding therapy, as it has been associated with physical harm and emotional trauma for the child. Critics argue that the therapy is invasive, aggressive, and potentially dangerous, and that there is little scientific evidence to support its effectiveness.

As a result, holding therapy is not widely practiced or endorsed by mainstream mental health professionals, and alternative forms of therapy, such as talk therapy or play therapy, are often recommended instead

Shervan K Shahhian.

What is Humanistic psychology?

Humanistic psychology is a psychological perspective that emphasizes the individual’s subjective experience and their capacity for self-determination and growth. It emerged as a reaction to the dominant behaviorist and psychoanalytic schools of thought in psychology in the mid-twentieth century.

Humanistic psychology focuses on the uniqueness of the individual, and the importance of subjective experiences such as personal growth, self-awareness, and self-actualization. It emphasizes the value of understanding and accepting individuals for who they are, rather than trying to fit them into preconceived categories or diagnostic labels.

Some key figures in the development of humanistic psychology include Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, Rollo May, and Erich Fromm. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is one of the most well-known models of humanistic psychology, and Rogers’ person-centered therapy is a widely used therapeutic approach based on humanistic principles.

Overall, humanistic psychology is concerned with understanding the whole person, including their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and experiences, and helping individuals to achieve their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Human givens? Human givens is a holistic approach to understanding human nature, developed by psychotherapist Joe Griffin and educator Ivan Tyrrell. The approach emphasizes the innate needs and resources that all humans possess and seeks to help individuals access and utilize these resources to improve their well-being. The term “human givens” refers to the universal needs that all humans have, such as the need for security, connection, meaning, and a sense of control over one’s life. These needs are seen as “givens” because they are intrinsic to our biology and psychology, and meeting these needs is essential for good mental health and emotional well-being. The Human Givens approach draws from a range of disciplines, including neuroscience, psychology, evolutionary biology, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on the present, working collaboratively with clients, and utilizing a range of evidence-based techniques to help individuals overcome emotional and psychological difficulties. Some common techniques used in Human Givens therapy include guided imagery, relaxation techniques, cognitive restructuring, and behavioral activation. The approach has been used effectively to treat a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and relationship problems. Shervan K Shahhian

What is Hypnotherapy? Hypnotherapy is a type of therapy that utilizes hypnosis as a tool to help individuals make positive changes in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Hypnosis is a state of heightened focus and suggestibility, during which the individual is more receptive to positive suggestions and can access deeper parts of their mind. During a hypnotherapy session, the hypnotherapist will guide the individual into a hypnotic state through relaxation techniques, guided imagery, and other methods. Once the individual is in a hypnotic state, the hypnotherapist will provide suggestions for positive changes, such as reducing anxiety, improving self-esteem, or breaking a bad habit. Hypnotherapy can be used to address a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, phobias, insomnia, and addiction. It is typically considered a complementary therapy and is often used in conjunction with other forms of treatment, such as talk therapy or medication. It is important to note that hypnotherapy is not a form of mind control and the individual always remains in control of their thoughts and actions during a session. The hypnotherapist is simply a guide, helping the individual to access their inner resources and make positive changes in their life. Sheravan K Shahhian