This was a great question from a person on Quora and something that I do believe many people may have a concern. Here is how I answered the question:
I will do my best to answer your question as a hypnotist that works with repressed memories in my practice (only for 19 years now!).
First of all, it is totally possible for repressed memories to be triggered – though, from the way you asked the question, I think you are really asking if one can find out about their repressed memories from counseling. I don’t believe that regular counseling has the ability to help one to do this because they don’t have any idea how to work in the unconscious mind since this isn’t taught in their curriculum and few of them get much training in hypnotism should they be interested in adding it to their profession. I say this having had many clients come to me after their conventionally trained therapist tried to hypnotize them and had no idea what they were doing. It is indeed a separate profession that requires much study and practice to do well.
However, what I can also tell you is that I had a few (not many) clients come in to see me who had therapists tell them they were molested or sexually abused. Not one of them had suffered any of this abuse, from what we learned from the session that I did with each of them (it only took one session to regress them back and find out) so these ideas were implanted for no reason. Disgusting I know, and yet it happens.
My suggestion to you is to stop worrying about what ‘may have happened to you’ and focus on what is going on in your life currently. I would also suggest that you spend less time thinking about yourself and heal yourself by helping others. I learned this most poignantly while working with a woman who suffered from severe bipolar and generalized anxiety, way before I ever got into hypnosis. I was working in elder care at the time. She got herself a volunteer job working with people with cerebral palsy many of them deformed, developmentally disabled (what used to be called mental retardation) who had no way to alter their lives because of the nature of their disabilities. What she learned was that she could indeed take control of her situation – in her case, it was a matter of a medication change and taking control of her own life instead of deferring it to her sons – and found herself in a much better situation nine months after we started working together. It was at this time she was ready to terminate our work together. She moved out of the area, closer to her youngest daughter, and helped to raise her two sons. She met a lovely man who loved her for who she was and they had a lovely life till his death 15 years later (she was 61 when we ended working together, so we are speaking of an older couple here). She was very good at keeping in touch with me on an annual basis which I welcomed. It’s always great to know how one’s clients are doing as their lives move on.
My point to you and anyone else reading this particular answer is to stop sweating those things that you ‘think’ may have happened and instead concentrate your energy on those things that you would like your life to be about. If my client was able to do this given her serious mental health situation, I would say anyone can should they choose to put their time and energy into doing so.
Thank you very much for your A2A for all those who may have a similar situation that they are dealing with. Remember that our thoughts are what create our lives, so concentrate your thoughts on what your life to be and you will be amazed by how great it can be.
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About Suzanne
Suzanne Kellner-Zinck founded Dawning Visions Hypnosis in 2002, She has become an innovator in the use of hypnotism and neuro-linguistic programming in the areas of obsessive compulsive disorders such as: eating disorders, sexual addiction and substance abuse as well as working with those with anxiety and mood disorders.
Her clients have come to work with her from across the United States and as far away as Africa to help them to finally be freed from these emotional issues that once ruled their lives. Today she is in the process of bringing her work to many more in the form of ebooks and other downloadable formats.
She is a member of American Holistic Medical Association and the American College for Advancement in Medicine.
Prior to founding Dawning Visions Hypnosis, Kellner-Zinck worked within vendor programs for the mentally ill working to help them to live up to their fullest potential. Many of her previous clients were able to move out on their own and find fulfilling work.
Kellner-Zinck is a Certified Trainer of Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic programing through Tad James Company, Inc. and a Master Hypnotist and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming through Advanced Neuro Dynamics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and political studies from Curry College.
Dawning Visions Hypnosis is teaching people that they can indeed leave their unwanted behaviors behind as they move forward to living fulfilling and joy filled lives.