Charles Tebbetts - The Pioneer Of Parts Therapy

by C. Roy Hunter, M.S., FAPHP

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After one of my workshops last year, an attendee asked me for some background information
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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
only 14. Although his mother wanted him to attend college and become a psychiatrist, Charlie'scharles tebbetts
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 self-
hypnosis 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 client-
centered 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.