What Is Primal Therapy?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTechniques of Primal TherapyWhat Primal Therapy Can Help WithBenefits of Primal TherapyThings to ConsiderHow to Get Started

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Techniques of Primal Therapy

What Primal Therapy Can Help With

Benefits of Primal Therapy

Things to Consider

How to Get Started

Close

Janov’s theory further asserts that repressed pain from a person’s life can be converted into physical symptoms, such as ulcers, headaches, and asthma. According to Janov, psychological pain goes back to incidents in people’s lives that were too traumatic for them to fully accept or integrate into their conscious selves. Incidents could includephysical or emotional abuse, neglect, or a traumatic event such as war.

Janov believed that the only way to resolve psychological problems is to expressrepressed emotions and feelingsin order to heal.

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While there are no formal “techniques” for primal therapy, there are certain stages that you will likely work through. These stages include the following:

1.Regression:InRegression, you will re-experience past traumatic incidents in your life. You may experience some of the same feelings and sensations that you had during these incidents. During this stage, it is important to allow yourself to feel whatever memory or sensation is coming up for you at the moment, knowing that your therapist is there to support you and help you through these experiences.

2.Release:In Release, you will be encouraged to express your emotions and feelings as they surface. This can include talking, shouting, crying, or making other sounds. At times, it may feel uncomfortable or even scary during this stage. You will likely experience the release of repressed emotions that have been stored in your body over the course of your life.

3.Integration:In Integration, you will begin to put together the pieces of your life story. This can be a time when you make connections between different events in your life and how they have affected you. You may also begin to forgive yourself and others for the things that have happened in your past.

4.Resolution: In Resolution, you will have a sense of closure around the issues that were addressed in primal therapy. You may find that you are now able to live more freely and without the burden of unresolved emotional pain.

It’s important to note that there is very little published research regarding the specific effects of primal therapy and what conditions it can treat.

Primal therapy may be used to help adults resolve memories of incidents that they have kept repressed since childhood, including recovery from physical or emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect, or the death of a parent.

Primal therapy may also be used to help people process traumatic events in their adult lives. This could include major life changes,divorce, the death of a family member or friend, job loss, or any other traumatic event that may have happened recently. Some people engage in primal therapy to help them cope with emotions they are experiencing during these stressful times.

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The benefits of primal therapy have generally not been evaluated in the scientific literature.For this reason, it’s important to understand that the proposed benefits of primal therapy listed below are theoretical in nature, and haven’t been supported with adequate research evidence:

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Primal therapy is not for everyone. Some people may find the process of expressing their emotions and feelings to be too difficult or uncomfortable. It is important to remember that primal therapy is a personal experience and that what works for one person may not work for another.

If you are considering primal therapy, it is important to speak with a therapist who can help you decide if this is the right treatment for you. Not every therapist is skilled in primal therapy, so you will want to make sure that the person you choose is experienced with this. You can also discuss how much time a session might last and what to expect from the experience.

Primal therapy sessions typically last for around an hour. People who engage in primal therapy may notice a release of tension after each session. This is because the process of expressing feelings and emotions has an effect similar to physical exercise.

If you are interested in primal therapy, your best option may be to speak with a therapist who specializes in the process. They can help you get started on your own personal journey of emotional release if this is something that feels right for you.

You may also choose to do more research on the process of primal therapy before working with a specialist. This can help you to understand the basics of the therapy and what to expect from your own personal sessions.

A Word From Verywell

Primal therapy is a unique form of therapy that can be beneficial for some people. Remember to take things at your own pace and never feel rushed into anything. The decision to do primal therapy should be a thoughtful one that is made with caution and care.

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The Primal Center.What Is Primal Therapy?Ehebald U, Werthmann HV.Primärtherapie–ein klinisch bewährtes Verfahren? [Primal therapy–a clinically confirmed procedure?].Z Psychosom Med Psychoanal. 1982;28(4):407-421.

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The Primal Center.What Is Primal Therapy?Ehebald U, Werthmann HV.Primärtherapie–ein klinisch bewährtes Verfahren? [Primal therapy–a clinically confirmed procedure?].Z Psychosom Med Psychoanal. 1982;28(4):407-421.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

The Primal Center.What Is Primal Therapy?Ehebald U, Werthmann HV.Primärtherapie–ein klinisch bewährtes Verfahren? [Primal therapy–a clinically confirmed procedure?].Z Psychosom Med Psychoanal. 1982;28(4):407-421.

The Primal Center.What Is Primal Therapy?

Ehebald U, Werthmann HV.Primärtherapie–ein klinisch bewährtes Verfahren? [Primal therapy–a clinically confirmed procedure?].Z Psychosom Med Psychoanal. 1982;28(4):407-421.

Hannah Owens, LMSW

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