Editor's note.

Welcome to this issue of the Journal of Heart-Centered Therapies. We are pleased to present these two articles, and a special thank you to William Emerson for giving permission to republish his article which first appeared in 1994 as a chapter in the book Innovative Therapy: A Handbook, edited by David Jones.

Somatotropic Therapy describes and explains the basis for Emerson's somatic approach to uncovering and resolving the major unresolved traumas in infants, children, and adults. Dr. Emerson's many years of practice in psychotherapy, before his retirement, specialized in primal/ regression therapy. He pioneered the field of pre- and perinatal psychology, including development of treatment methods for infants and children as well as adults. He also is a well-known expert in the treatment of pre- and perinatal trauma and shock in infants, children and adults. Dr. Emerson devotes his time now to teaching, lecturing and writing on the topics of shock and spirituality. In this article, Emerson traces the historical development of the techniques, including his work with Frank Lake and R. D. Laing in England in the 1970s. He elaborates the central concepts of somatotropic therapy, as well as the elements of the change process itself. Regression is essential, followed by catharsis and integration. Three phases in the sequencing of somatotropic therapy are discussed. Therapeutic outcomes with infants and children, and with adults, are addressed. Finally, Emerson presents a case study of successful treatment of a thirty-year-old woman suffering from anorexia, anxiety and depression.

The article by David Hartman and Diane Zimberoff, Memory Access to Our Earliest Influences, is an exploration of two fundamental questions in any regression therapy: how is it possible that an infant or a prenate in the womb could process and understand their experiences and create memories of them? And how is it possible that such memories, if they were created, could significantly affect that individual later in life? The article addresses evidence for prenatal awareness and individuality, and the nature of our earliest memories. Current research on procedural and implicit memory is presented, as is a full discussion of what makes traumatic memory different from other memory. Factors influencing memory retention or dissociation and repression are elaborated. Research documenting the reliability of hypnotic age regression experiences should add to the practitioner's anecdotal experience to bring confidence in this means of access to deeply embedded memories. Finally, the authors discuss the implications of early memory for psychotherapy with children and with adults.

2002 Conference in upstate New York: Hope to see you!

We urge all of our readers to attend this year's Conference to be held in Kerhonkson, New York at the Hudson Valley Resort, October 10-13. It is a fun social event, and a rewarding educational experience. This will be our fourth Conference, and no doubt the best yet. For additional information, contact the Association office at the address on the Publications page at the back of the Journal.

Ralph Metzner, Ph.D., Guest Presenter
Pre-Conference Workshop--Friday, October 11th
"Shamanic Divinations & Healing Visions"

Author of many books on altered state psychology and transformation, including The Psychedelic Experience, Maps of Consciousness, and The Unfolding Self. Dr. Metzner is a psychotherapist and professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco.

Yvonne Christman, Ph.D.
Pre-Conference Workshop--Thursday, October 10th
"Subtle Energy Connections"

Do you know how to protect your vital energies when you are working with clients? When your clients leave your office do they take your vital energies with them? Find out how to become more energy conscious about energy transfers, exchanges and leaks.

Consider submitting a manuscript for the Spring 2003 issue of the Journal, and help us celebrate the sixth year of publication!

David Hartman, MSW
Editor-in-Chief
Heart-Centered Therapies Association, Issaquah, WA USA