4: Advanced Techniques: Advanced AT
For a majority of clients, the basic Autogenic Training course will satisfy their requirement for a lifelong skill for stress management and personal development. For those requiring them, however, two further techniques are available: Autogenic Meditative Exercises and Autogenic Neutralisation. These should be seen as separate, optional paths for those with special requirements; one is not more 'advanced' than the other. Both are available only to those who have completed the basic AT course.

Autogenic Meditative Exercises
Autogenic meditative exercises would normally start only when clients have had 6-12 months' experience of the basic or standard AT techniques. By that time they should be able to enter the autogenic state for up to 40 minutes without difficulty.

The autogenic meditative exercises emerged from Schultz's observations of the visual phenomena experienced spontaneously by trainees in the standard training course. He devised a sequence of exercises that followed what appears to be a natural pattern of development from very simple to very elaborate visual imagery.

These exercises begin with the client focusing on the spontaneous experience of various colours while spending prolonged periods in the autogenic state. During this period a "preferred" individual colour may predominate. The exercises progress to focusing on individual colours at will, focusing on concrete visual objects, and then to imagining abstract concepts like love or joy. Finally, the trainee focuses on questions such as What do I want? or What can I do? These questions invite answers from the unconscious, possibly in the form of a visual story or metaphor.

There are seven autogenic meditative exercises. These are generally taught over a period of 14 weeks, that is, fortnightly. Group sessions last two hours.

The sessions
In each of the sessions, a different theme is introduced. Trainees are guided through each one, the aim being to deepen self-knowledge at a psycho-spiritual level. At work here is the autogenic principle of letting responses to the themes arise spontaneously and being the passive observer.

These exercises lead to an integration of thought and deed, to harmony between the different components of the psyche - the super-ego, the ego and the id (to use Freudian terminology) - to harmony between the outer and the inner worlds, between self-awareness and self-realisation.

The imagery encouraged by the autogenic meditative exercises provides a further tool for helping the trainee to deal with life's difficulties and suffering. AT contributes to the experience of opening oneself up to the universality of life and to concentration/focus on essentials. It strengthens and clarifies one's own convictions by promoting tolerance. It teaches a basic attitude towards relaxation which helps develop firmness without rigidity through the release of physical and emotional tensions and the ensuing self-knowledge.

Contraindications
If the therapist is aware of trauma which has been hinted at, or has manifested in physical and emotional discharges which were disturbing to the client during the basic training, this is an indication that the ego is not yet strong enough to deal with traumatic material (for example continued physical or sexual abuse during childhood, without this having yet been disclosed). It is essential that this fear is honoured and the client either be allowed to leave the traumatic material alone or, if ready, be guided towards psychotherapy or counselling.

Autogenic Neutralisation
Autogenic Neutralisation is a powerful method of psychotherapy, and may be suitable if individuals have experienced emotional disturbances during basic or standard AT, which have not been resolved. It is based on the hypothesis that the brain has a self-regulatory potential and its own computer-like systems have the capability to adjust functional disturbances in an efficient and effective manner.

The autogenic state is characterised by a relaxation in the dominance of the left hemisphere of the brain and a freer interchange of information with the right hemisphere. This leads to a greater availability to consciousness of unconscious material: feelings, intuitions, and imagination. Sometimes these can include disturbing emotions and memories that have formerly been repressed. Detailed studies of the autogenic discharges and symptoms during AT have indicated a relationship of these emerging emotions and memories to the client's present complaint, clinical condition and possibly events in the client's past.

Dealing with 'unfinished business'
Various techniques have been developed for managing and 'off loading' such disturbing material should it appear during standard AT, and these should suffice for most clients. However, should there be a significant amount of 'unfinished business' requiring specialised treatment, the client may undertake a course of Autogenic Neutralisation. This is a therapeutic extension of AT and may be regarded as a brain-directed form of psychotherapy.

Neutralisation would normally take place some time after the basic AT course has been completed. The client would continue to practise the standard exercises regularly at home, while undertaking one-to-one therapy with a therapist who has undergone extensive training in the technique.

Indications:
* Traumatic experiences indicated verbally or on assessment sheet
* High autogenic discharge level
* High emotional excitation level
* Persistent occurrence of differentiated mental images during AT

During Autogenic Neutralisation the client shifts from the usual state of passive concentration on the standard formulae, to a spectator-like attitude of passive acceptance ('carte blanche') of whatever material may emerge into consciousness. This shift is accompanied by a full, free and spontaneous verbal description of any impressions that may arise, e.g. motor, sensory, and visual experiences. The brain mechanisms allow selective release, which is spontaneously adapted to the client's tolerance. Serial repetition release from different parts of the brain can occur simultaneously.

The result is a gradual unloading of traumatic or disturbing material through an unfolding process of elaboration and repetition, until the process comes to a natural ending. This may take from 20 to 120 minutes in any one session. Particular themes may arise repeatedly over a number of sessions, being gradually integrated before giving way to other material.

The basic principle underlying this therapy is non-interference (either by client or therapist) and supportiveness. It seems that there is less transference and less dependence on the therapist than in other psychotherapy disciplines. In fact, ultimately the dependence on the therapist is entirely eliminated, as the client learns to use this method on his/her own.

Before beginning, the method needs to be explained to and discussed with the client whose motivation must be high. The client meets once a week with the therapist. The session is taped, and the client at home later transcribes the session. Within this process, an important aspect of neutralising the material expressed occurs: the client first hears her/himself verbalising, then hears it again when transcribing and at the same time reads the transcription. There is a weekly review of the previous week's material and any interpretation is made exclusively by the client. This applies to writings, drawings or paintings.

Inner wisdom
Clients are often amazed at the inner wisdom that seems to underlie the sequencing and intensity of emerging material. It is as if the unconscious mind has been patiently waiting for a safe and supportive environment and an accepting attitude from the conscious mind before releasing disturbing material for re-appraisal. Some healing mechanism seems to know just how much can be integrated at a time, and the appropriate sequence.

Role of the therapist
The role of the therapist is to facilitate this natural process by offering a supportive and 'holding' environment, and also by being aware of the many subtle ways in which the process can be impeded or diverted, either consciously or unconsciously by the client. The technique requires highly sensitive and highly trained therapists who are thoroughly familiar with the theory and practice of the technique, and who have had first hand experience of Autogenic Neutralisation as a client. Non-interference and the management of resistances are essential.

Contraindications
These are the same as for the meditative exercises: where the ego is not strong enough to handle the emergence of too much traumatic material.



top of page    previous article    next article