What is Psychophany?

Psychophany is an alternative communication technique that allows access to different levels of consciousness. In this way it brings to light buried emotions and deep-seated questions. It also enables emotional awareness and the release of heavy emotional burdens.

A Brief History

This powerful method evolved from Facilitated Communication. This technique was created in the U.S. in the 1970s to aid communication with individuals with mental disabilities. In 1987, educator Rosemary Crossley further developed it in Australia, focusing on fostering learning and independence.

In the 1990s, Psychophany was introduced in France by Anne-Marguerite Vexiau, who was trained by a Crossley’assistant.
Vexiau was a highly experienced speech therapist working with children with communication disorders. Starting to use the technique with her patients, she realized that this technique could benefit a larger public. This included individuals with motor or mental disabilities (such as polyhandicap or autism), those without communication challenges, and even individuals without any speech issues. She then expanded the practice and named it “Psychophany” – from the Greek “psyche,” meaning soul, and “phanein,” meaning to reveal or bring to light.

How Does It Work?

Psychophany enables individuals to access deep emotional content and wisdom that is often difficult to express in words. It can uncover hidden traumas or unconscious family memories that contribute to emotional distress or difficult behaviors. The technique transcends conscious knowledge, revealing the subconscious motivations behind certain decisions and actions. This revelation often leads to emotional release, self-soothing, and a repaired self-image, while boosting confidence and inner peace.

A  typical session

A typical session takes place in person, with the facilitator sitting next to the individual (the “facilitated”) and using a computer. The individual rests their hand on the facilitator’s arm, who enters a receptive, meditative state. He can then type the words that come to mind in response to a question posed at the begining of the session.
The words flow in bursts, and the facilitator often doesn’t know the content of what he is writing until the sentence is complete. The facilitator encourages the individual to shift their focus away from the keyboard. In this way, the writing process taps into a deeper level of the self.
This unconscious-to-unconscious dialogue uses the facilitator’s brain, experience, language, and culture to craft the text.
Throughout the session, the facilitator reads the written text to the individual, who can ask clarifying questions. The facilitator never interprets the text themselves, allowing the individual to reflect on its meaning. The facilitator can also conduct sessions remotely.

The content

The messages produced are often remarkably accurate. They are acknowledged by the individual or their family, and carry a significant emotional weight. However, as Anne-Marguerite Vexiau noted, the texts only reveal what the person is ready to hear.
The session may reveal its effects very rapidly. Often there is a fast amelioration of the condition that motivated the session, sometimes it occurs more slowly. Sometimes, the individual needs more than one session. The sessions should be at least three to four weeks apart, to allow the individual to integrate the received information.

My Experience with Psychophany

I first encountered psychophany in 2007 during a challenging time for my daughter.
From the very first session,  the accuracy and depth of the messages astonished me. They revealed the beauty, emotions, and kindness hidden within her. The facilitator didn’t know us, so the insights shared could only have come from my daughter.

Over time, I realized that these sessions brought immense relief to her, allowing her to express things she couldn’t through speech. This led to a gradual improvement in her behavior and mood. Progressively, she revealed her joyful and playful nature, which now brings us so much happiness.

I have since used this technique for myself. On several occasions, I was utterly amazed when the text finally put words to feelings I had sensed but couldn’t express.

I still use psychophany, either for her or for myself in harder times. It’s my favorite technique when I need to understand something that is going on, or an orientation, or to make an important decision in my life.