British Autogenic Society

One of the Most Scientifically Proven Complementary Therapies is also the Least Known

12.10.05 - On the eve of the re-opening of the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital by HRH The Prince of Wales, and after a week that saw calls for top level scientific evidence on the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine, members of the British Autogenic Society (www.autogenic-therapy.org.uk) are hoping for more public recognition of Autogenic Therapy.

'There are a very great many scientific papers around validating the effectiveness of Autogenic Therapy - or AT -- for relieving and helping people cope with the symptoms of stress and other conditions. AT is available on the NHS at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, where it is found to be extremely beneficial for chronically ill patients. It is suitable for people engaged in all areas of life, including those in the world of sport and creative arts. The British Olympic Rifle Team Squad and astronauts at NASA have used it to enhance performance. As a non-drug technique that's been proven to relieve the symptoms of a wide range of afflictions, AT really should enjoy the same kind of public recognition of say, acupuncture or homeopathy,' says Sonia Saunders, Chairman of the British Autogenic Society, the professional and regulatory body for autogenic practitioners in the UK.

What's more, unlike other CAM therapies that suffer from lack of professional regulation, AT is one of only a handful of techniques with an organisation like the British Autogenic Society dedicated to setting educational and professional standards, licensing practitioners, and providing a rigorous, 3-level training programme.

So what doesn't the public know about AT? 'It's from the Greek words that together mean 'generated from within' and is an entirely natural therapeutic process,' explains Saunders, herself a licensed AT therapist. 'Our clients are taught a series of easily learned mental exercises that allow the mind to calm itself by switching off the body's normal responses to stress. Once learned it's a skill for life, and simple to do almost anywhere: on planes, at work, whilst waiting for your dentist. Anybody can do it.' An open invitation to all, including perhaps, our heir to the throne.

The offices of the British Autogenic Society are located on the ground floor of the newly-reopened Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3HR.

For more information and interviews on Autogenic Therapy, contact Sonia Saunders at ssaunders@interfis.com or contact Gina McAdam at gina@stratemarco.com.

Editor's Notes:
1. Formed in 1984, the British Autogenic Society (www.autogenic-therapy.org.uk) is the professional and regulatory body for autogenic practitioners in the UK. It sets the education and qualification standards, acts as an information resource for practitioners and the public, and liases with counterparts around the world. The Society has over 90 members. A registered Charity, it is a member of the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy (UKCP), The International Committee for the co-ordination of the clinical application and teaching of Autogenic Training and Therapy (ICAT) and The European Committee for Advanced Analytic Autogenic Therapy (ECAAT).

2. Autogenic Therapy (AT) offers a non-drug approach to treating a wide range of both organic and psychosomatic illnesses and psychological problems. Clients are taught by a trained and qualified therapist a series of simple, easily-learned mental exercises that allow the mind to calm itself by switching off the body's stress responses. A typical course will last about 8 weeks. Quite simply, it trains the mind to calm itself. AT has been validated by research and has numerous psychological applications - anxiety states, insomnia, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as medical applications: skin conditions, asthma, hypertension, colitis, arthritis, migraine, irritable bowels, amongst others. It is also particularly useful for busy management and business executives, people in the creative professions and just about anybody who may find himself or herself in a stressful life situation, including mothers of young children. It has even been proven useful in facilitating less stressful pregnancies, childbirth and accelerating post-delivery healing.

3. Autogenic Therapy (AT) was developed some 85 years ago by the psychiatrist and neurologist Dr Johannes Schultz.

4. People from a range of professional 'healing or caring' backgrounds, including doctors, nurses, counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists are encouraged to train to become licensed Autogenic Therapists. They can apply to train and become AT practitioners through the fast-track Diploma Course offered by the British Autogenic Society.

For more information and interviews on Autogenic Therapy, contact Sonia Saunders at ssaunders@interfis.com or Gina McAdam at gina@stratemarco.com.

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