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Charles Tebbetts - The Pioneer Of Parts Therapy by C. Roy Hunter, M.S., FAPHP

students reviews After one of my workshops last year, an attendee asked me for some background information books regarding the life of Charles Tebbetts. Since I knew him very well, it's hard to believe that almost two decades have passed since his passing.

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Charlie (as he asked me to call him) grew up in the Midwest. He lost his father when he was charles tebbetts only 14. Although his mother wanted him to attend college and become a psychiatrist, Charlie's involvement with music interrupted the career she planned for him. Shortly after graduating from high school, he started playing for a jazz band. Young Tebbetts traveled throughout the contact eastern half of the United States, finally ending up playing for an orchestra at a vaudeville theatre. In 1927, this young saxophone player witnessed a stage hypnosis show five nights weekly for several months, and memorized the act. One night the hypnotist drank excessively once too often, and was unable to perform. Meanwhile, the observant Charles Tebbetts volunteered to provide the entertainment that night…and his success resulted in his replacing the drunk performer and becoming the new stage hypnotist! Initially the young Tebbetts devoted himself to the entertainment side of hypnosis. After many months, a doctor (who was a friend of the family) saw him perform one night in Beatrice, Nebraska, his mother's hometown. The physician convinced Tebbetts to work with him and with his patients. After considerable experiments, the doctor learned the art of hypnosis himself; but skepticism among his peers caused the physician to swear Charlie to silence, and they parted During the first half of the 20th Century it was very difficult to earn a decent income as a hypnotist; so Charlie started working with a jeweler, manufacturing Walt Disney character charms. After negotiating a lucrative contract with Walt Disney, he moved to Hollywood. He again got involved with music, and met the woman who became Joyce Tebbetts. His work with art, music and advertising helped to pay bills; but Tebbetts continually remained involved with hypnosis as a side business, conducting occasional sessions and doing research. He considered himself to be a lifelong student of hypnosis, always studying the work of others and always reading. During the 1960's and 1970's he pioneered a technique based on the work of Paul Federn, utilizing the various aspects of the personality that he called ego parts. Thus, Tebbetts became the pioneer of parts therapy. He told me that his work inspired him to seek some formal training from another source; and Gil Boyne eventually became his source of that training. Charlie liked the way Boyne taught and promoted hypnosis, and chose to attend Gil's school to learn more. They became personal friends, and soon Charlie started practicing out of Gil's facility. He later opened an office in Brentwood, and sold his advertising business. However, Charlie told me personally that he did not tell Boyne about his many years of experience with hypnosis until long after completing Boyne's training program. In the late 1970's, Charlie suffered a paralyzing stroke. He first used self-hypnosis to regain his ability to talk, and then to walk once again. This experience inspired him to write Self-Hypnosis and Other Mind Expanding Techniques (Westwood Publishing), which is available to this day. Eventually Mr. & Mrs. Tebbetts moved to Washington State to establish their own hypnosis training institute, as well as a state chapter of the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners. At his school in Edmonds, Washington, Charlie actively taught and promoted parts therapy to other professionals and to advanced students of hypnosis. During the late 1980's Tebbetts reached the height of his fame throughout the entire hypnotherapy profession. Inducted into the International Hypnosis Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement, Charles Tebbetts is best remembered for his work with parts therapy. In the early 1980's, Tebbetts wrote Miracles on Demand, now out of print. Although this book contained a brief summary of his basic hypnosis training course, he devoted the majority of the book to scripts of actual therapy sessions facilitated in the classroom. Most of those sessions incorporated parts therapy. I personally witnessed a couple of the videotaped sessions that he included in his book. When I attended his school in Edmonds in 1983, most of Charlie's demonstrations in the classroom involved either the use of regression therapy or parts therapy, and often both.

Charlie liked parts therapy because of its ability to quickly help a client discover the core cause of a problem, which he called hitting pay dirt. In his opinion it was difficult to know what cause to release unless or until that cause was discovered (rather than diagnosed). He openly admitted that he borrowed techniques from other professionals, and adapted them to his own hypnotic style. He taught that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, and our job is to empower the Charles Tebbetts praised the work of many: Ormond McGill, Gil Boyne, Dave Elman, Milton Erickson, Fritz Perls, and others. Boyne was the one he spoke about the most in his classroom (even after parting paths over a personal dispute), because they were on the same page regarding their beliefs about comprehensive training in the art of hypnotism. Tebbetts taught regression therapy the way he learned it from Boyne; but Charie also continued his research with parts therapy, recording most of his sessions on videotape. Called a grandmaster teacher by Dr. John Hughes of the National Guild of Hypnotists, Charles Tebbetts taught thousands of students who came to him from all over the world. Out of the thousands he trained either at his school or in workshops over the years, I consider it an honor and a privilege that he asked me to continue his work. Charles Tebbetts rarely showed emotion; but the night he was inducted into the International Hypnosis Hall of Fame he had tears streaming down his cheeks. He thanked me for taking over his organization; but I thanked him for all that he contributed to our profession. During all my years of friendship, that was the only time I ever saw him cry…and they were tears of gratitude. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his dedication to our profession…and especially for his profound work pioneering and developing parts therapy.

What is Parts Therapy? Parts Therapy is based on the concept that our personality is composed of a number of various parts, which are aspects of the subconscious. In other words, we all wear different hats. The facilitator acts as a mediator to help clients resolve inner conflicts. This advanced hypnotic technique often works with clients after other techniques have failed. The facilitator guides the client into a state of hypnosis and then talks to that part of the subconscious that wants to prevent the client from changing...and then talks to the part motivating the client to improve his/her life. The process resembles mediation, in that the facilitator asks the right questions in order to help the parts resolve their own differences. The process is designed to empower the client! Originally pioneered by Charles Tebbetts during the 1960's and 1970's, parts therapy has evolved throughout the years into a very effective technique when combined with hypnosis and facilitated by someone trained in the use of client centered parts therapy. Roy Hunter' s client-centered approach is based on the concept that the client's inner mind can resolve inner conflicts when the facilitator acts as a mediator and asks the right questions. Introduction How many people experience inner conflicts that inhibit successful attainment of important goals? Counselors and hypnotherapists often use proven techniques to help their clients change undesired habits and/or to achieve desired personal and professional goals, yet some clients still backslide because of strong inner conflicts. Increasing numbers of therapists around the world are discovering the benefits of parts therapy and its variations to help clients get past personal barriers. Parts therapy can often help resolve inner conflicts even after clients fail to respond to more traditional techniques. The client-centered approach draws out the client's own ability to resolve inner conflicts. Defining Parts Therapy

Parts therapy is based on the concept that our personality is composed of a number of various personality parts, which are aspects of the subconscious, each with their respective jobs or functions of the inner mind. The facilitator calls out and communicates directly with those parts of the subconscious involved in a client's inner conflict, and then employs mediation to help a client resolve inner conflicts in order to achieve the desired result. The late Charles Tebbetts taught his methods of employing parts therapy in the 1970's, even before writing his hypnotherapy book Miracles on Demand (Tebbetts, 1985) that is now out of print. He believed that we all have various aspects of our personalities, which he called ego parts. Tebbetts originated parts therapy from the work of Paul Federn, and borrowed aspects of parts therapy from others therapists and researchers. Federn worked with the id, ego, and superego (Federn, 1953). Tebbetts privately practiced his own variation of Federn's work for many years before teaching it to others, evolving parts therapy into a format that effectively helps clients resolve inner conflicts. Roy Hunter has updated parts therapy to an even more client-centered approach than the one Tebbetts practiced and taught. Why Is Client-Centered Parts Therapy Different? The best way to define "client-centered" parts therapy is as follows: the facilitator remains objective (like a mediator), empowering clients to discover their own resolutions simply by asking the right questions. It is based on the concept that the inner mind, or subconscious, will reveal the core cause(s) of an inner conflict when questions are asked in an objective manner; and the various parts of the inner mind find their own resolutions when the facilitator asks the right questions. We can best accomplish this during a deep state of hypnosis, which minimizes the risk of analytical interference from the conscious mind. A deeper hypnotic state facilitates effective communication with each part, usually free of analytical resistance. Additionally, the facilitator of client-centered parts therapy should avoid projecting his/her own philosophical or spiritual beliefs into the session, so that it truly remains the client's experience. Roy Hunter avoids calling out "protector" or "controller" parts first, and call out only the two parts in conflict. Looking for a specific part (such as a controller part) might cause parts to emerge that may be irrelevant to resolving the inner conflict. Other parts are called out if necessary, but Roy avoids unnecessary detours. He also avoids putting his own names on the ego parts. Instead, he asks each emerging part to give him a name or title, which often provides important insight regarding a part's purpose. Additionally, Tebbetts taught that we should treat each ego part with respect, just as though the part was a person. This helps the facilitator to maintain rapport with each part, making it easier to help the conflicting parts come to terms of agreement. Roy Hunter also emphasizes the importance of avoiding inappropriate leading, and encourages his clients to avoid dwelling on any pre-conceived opinions before they enter hypnosis…and simply go with what emerges from the inner mind. Any preconceived opinions can influence what emerges from the subconscious, whether said opinions come from client or facilitator. When Is Parts Therapy Appropriate? Client-centered parts therapy is ideal for clients who have two different parts of the subconscious pulling them in opposite directions. For example, a smoker might have a strong emotional desire to quit in order to have more energy (or better health), while another part of the subconscious provides pleasure in lighting up after meals (or at other times). Inner conflicts are also common with people wishing to control their weight. How often does a dieter give in to junk food?

The obvious clue would be evident by a client saying: "A part of me wants to get rid of this weight while another part wants to keep on eating junk food!" The ego part desiring to be attractive is in conflict with the inner child (or some other ego part) wanting to enjoy eating sweets, etc. Parts therapy usually will uncover the cause(s), so that the facilitator may facilitate inner conflict resolution through a process similar to mediation. Before proceeding, however, Roy tells his client: "We tend to wear different hats as we walk through the path of life. We get into the work mode on our jobs, wearing the hat of a dedicated worker; but the inner child often comes out to play after our work is done. A smoker might have a part of the subconscious motivating that person to quit, while another part is determined to sabotage every attempt…" This type of advance explanation is essential for the client. One minute of communication can be worth many months of resolution, as Roy Hunter once saw a female client who believed that she had multiple personalities simply because another therapist had previously employed a variation of parts therapy without giving her an advance explanation of the process. Often the need for parts therapy may not be readily apparent. Practitioners of diversified client-centered hypnosis learn how to fit the technique to the client rather than vice versa, and they do not automatically use parts therapy with everyone. Most of Roy Hunters intake sessions begin with asking the client to describe his (or her) desired goal. When possible, Roy gives some positive suggestions designed to the client's specific benefits for achieving a desired goal. This is because an enjoyable first impression is lasting, and more likely to result in the client keeping his/her next appointment. He also devotes a session to teaching selfhypnosis as a way of reducing stress. By the third or fourth session, if the client still resists positive suggestions, Roy will choose an advanced hypnotic technique that seems appropriate for that particular client. Naturally, when an inner conflict is apparent, Roy chooses parts therapy. When the appropriate technique is not so obvious, he uses finger response questions before deciding how to proceed. How Do We Employ Parts Therapy? Roy Hunter compares parts therapy to mediation. The reason he chose Hypnosis for Inner Conflict Resolution in the title of his parts therapy book is because he mediates between the two primary parts in conflict, which he calls the conflicting part and the motivating part. As previously mentioned, he asks each part to provide him with a name or title to use during the process, which he calls the 11-Step Process. While many of his sessions involve calling out only two parts, other parts do exist whether or not they make their presence known. His 2005 book Hypnosis for Inner Conflict Resolution describes these steps in detail. Here are the steps: 1. Identify the part 2. Gain rapport (compliment the part). 3. Call out the part. 4. Thank it for emerging. 5. Discover its purpose. 6. Call out other parts as appropriate. 7. Negotiate and mediate. 8. Ask parts to come to terms of agreement. 9. Confirm and summarize terms of agreement. 10. Give direct suggestion as appropriate (only after terms of agreement, but NOT before). 11. INTEGRATE the parts! (The formal parts therapy process is completed.) Several chapters in the book explore all eleven steps in-depth, with sample scripts to help the facilitator along the way. Common detours often appear, making it necessary for the facilitator to deal with what emerges from the inner mind. Roy discusses the common ones, and provides tips to help the facilitator find ways of getting past the detours. This 11-Step Process is based on the discipline Roy Hunter learned from Tebbetts in 1983, which he put into print (Tebbetts, 1985). Roy Hunter has updated his teachings through his years of professional

experience. For example, Tebbetts often engaged in what he called a "Great Debate" with what he called the offending part (which Roy Hunter calls the conflicting part), and he referred to the facilitator as an arbitrator (Tebbetts, 1985). Although Tebbetts got results in the classroom, witnessed by Roy and other students, his major update of his work is to encourage the facilitator to act as a mediator instead of an arbitrator, and to avoid engaging in debates with any of the parts. In addition to the parts therapy process described above, the session contains a preparation and a conclusion. During the preparation, Roy Hunter explain parts therapy briefly to the client, so that he/she will be comfortable with the process. The preparation phase also includes an appropriate induction and deepening techniques, and establishing a client's peaceful place. The conclusion begins after the parts are integrated in Step 11, when Roy gives both direct and indirect suggestion and imagery, in order to have the client imagine his/her desired result. Appropriate debriefing takes place after the client emerges from hypnosis, and another session is scheduled if necessary. Why Is Client-Centered Parts Therapy Effective? The client-centered approach empowers the client, because the cause(s) and resolution for the problem come from the client's inner mind instead of from the mind of the facilitator. The inner mind seems to contain a profound wisdom that is often surprising to both client and therapist alike, because there is a part of the inner mind that observes what happens even during deep trance (Durbin, 2001; Hilgard, 1994). The facilitator must simply ask the right questions in order to access that inner wisdom. Some hypnotic techniques, such as aversion therapy, employ scripts and/or suggestions asking clients to give their power away to someone who tells them what to do. They may even receive "spells" in the form of hypnotic suggestions! A person with a strong "rebel" button can overcome aversion suggestion, yet others who do succeed could run the risk of losing self-esteem because of their dependence on someone else to place hypnotic suggestions deep in the subconscious. Even parts therapy or its variations are sometimes employed in a therapist directed manner, where the facilitator tells each part what to do and debates with rebellious parts. This type of approach is risky. One of Roy Hunter's former students learned that lesson the hard way after losing a debate with a client's rebellious part. He gave her two free sessions to apologize to the offended part, and finally helped her resolve her inner conflict. Several years ago, a psychologist asked Roy Hunter to use parts therapy to help her resolve an inner conflict. Upon emerging from hypnosis, her first words were, "That solution was so simple, I wish I had thought of it myself!" Roy quickly reminded her that the resolution had indeed come from her own mind, and not his. She smiled and agreed, and acknowledged the value of client-centered parts therapy. Both professionals and students alike also acknowledge the value of using a client-centered approach after sitting through Roy Hunters classes or workshops. The client-centered approach helps clients attain greater empowerment, because it is based on the belief that the power to change resides within the client. The facilitator's job is to remain objective while helping clients discover their own inner power, and to help them use it constructively. Successful clientcentered parts therapy provides a greater probability of lasting results, and often provides the side benefit of an improved self-esteem for many clients. This is a win/win.